Today, (19 October 2012), Mr. Damrong Kraikruan, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Information and Acting Foreign Ministry Spokesman, gave a press statement to provide further information regarding the circulation of a photo of Miss Thapanee Eadsrichai, reporter from Thai TVChannel 3, in the social media of Cambodia, while reporting the Royal Funeral of His Majesty the late King Father of Cambodia in front of the Royal Palace. Gist as follows:

  1. On behalf of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand,              the Spokesman expressed his appreciation to the Government of Cambodia for issuing an official statement expressing understanding and providing detailed facts with respect to Thailand’s action on this matter, to ensure the correct understanding of the people of Cambodia.

2. In light of the sensitivity of this issue and in an effort to preserve the atmosphere of friendship and cordial relations with Cambodia, a number of measures have been carried out consistently and at all levels to address the situation since its inception on 16 October 2012 as follows:    

       2.1  On the part of Miss Thapanee – immediately after being informed about the incident, Miss Thapanee proceeded to pay homage to the image of His Majesty the late King Father in front of the Royal Palace, to seek royal pardon for her improper conduct. On the following morning, she left Cambodia and returned to Thailand as per recommendation of the Royal Thai Embassy in Phnom Penh. Upon arrival at Suvarnabhumi airport, Miss Thapanee gave a press interview expressing her profound regret for the unintentional incident. Subsequently, she proceeded to the Royal Embassy of Cambodia in Bangkok to once again pay tribute and seek royal pardon before the image of His Majesty the late King Father. Moreover, Miss Thapanee issued a personal letter yesterday toapologize and seek royal pardon from the Royal Family of Cambodia as well as to apologize and seek forgiveness from the Government and the people of Cambodia.

       2.2  On the part of Thai TV Channel 3 – on 17 October 2012,              a high level executive from Thai TV Channel 3 had a call upon Mrs. Ros Serey, Chargé d’ Affaires a.i. of the Royal Cambodia Embassy in Bangkok, to apologize for the said incident. Afterwards, an official statement apologizing and seeking royal pardon from the Cambodian Royal Family and forgiveness from the Government and the people of Cambodia, was issued by Thai TV Channel 3.  

       2.3 On the part of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand – the Ministry has closely monitored and evaluated the situation. On 17 October 2012, Mr. Pasakorn Sriyaphan, Director-General of the Department of East Asian Affairs, gave a press statement at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, to clarify the issue while reaffirming the close ties between Thailand and Cambodia at all levels. In the meantime, the Royal Thai Embassy in Phnom Penh has been clarifying the said incident with concerning authorities in Cambodia for their correct understanding. This includes the meeting between H.E. the Ambassador of Thailand to Cambodia and H.E. Mr. Ung Sean, Deputy Foreign Minister of Cambodia to emphasize the fact about the unintentional incident concerning Miss Thapanee on 18 October 2012. During the meeting, the Ambassador stated that Thailand stood ready to cooperate with Cambodia in containing the impact of this incident.             

       2.4 On the part of the Thai Government – H.E. Miss Yingluck Shinawatra, Prime Minister of Thailand, attaches importance to this issue. As mentioned in the official statement of Cambodia, Prime Minister Yingluck already held a telephone conversation to clarify the said incident with Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen, Prime Minister of Cambodia. And today, at 1300 hrs., H.E. the Prime Minister will lead a delegation to Phnom Penh, to pay homage to His Majesty the late King Father at the Royal Palace, On this occasion, the Prime Minister is granted an audience with His Majesty Preah Bat Samdech Preah Boromneath NORODOM SIHAMONI and Her Majesty NORODOM MONINEATH SIHANOUK, Queen Mother, and will meet with Prime Minsiter Hun Sen to express condolences.

3. Thailand wishes to promote close and cordial relations with Cambodia, thus,  always takes prompt action to address any incident that may become an issue. Regarding the said incident, leaders of the Thai Government have closely overseen the issue and stepped in to take action when necessary. In this connection, Thailand sincerely hopes that the people of Cambodia will understand the situation as well as the good intention of the Thai Government, and work closely with us to preserve the close and long-standing relations between our  two nations.         

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                                 19 October 2012