Singapore, Thailand trade words over military snooping spat

The Straits Times, January 24, 2007

BANGKOK - A war of words between Thailand and Singapore escalated on Wednesday as the two countries bickered publicly over whether Singapore was spying on its neighbour's military phone conversations.

Singapore has denied the accusation made last week by Thailand's army commander, General Sonthi Boonyaratglin.

He said military leaders feared Singapore was snooping on their conversations through a telecommunications company that deposed Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra sold to the country last year.

Singapore's Foreign Ministry issued a statement on Monday saying: 'We do not know what General Sondhi's remarks meant.'

It added that 'domestic calls within Thailand are not routed through Singapore'.

Thailand's Foreign Ministry shot back on Wednesday. 'I am puzzled by the statement from Singapore's Foreign Ministry that they do not understand the remarks of General Sondhi,' said Mr Kitti Wasinondh, the Thai Foreign Ministry spokesman.

'It is not appropriate for Singapore to issue such a statement.'

'If Singapore wants clarification of the remarks, Singapore can send its ambassador to General Sondhi,' Mr Kitti told Thailand's Business Radio station.

The exchanges of undiplomatic language started last week when Thailand's military-installed government expressed anger over Singapore's hospitality to Mr Thaksin during a visit earlier this month.

Mr Thaksin met Singapore's deputy prime minister, prompting Thailand to suspend a visit by Singapore's foreign minister.

Bangkok called the meeting inappropriate given Mr Thaksin's ouster from the government, but Singapore said it was a private visit between old friends.

Gen Sonthi last week said he was concerned the company was being used to spy on the military. He ordered members of the military leadership not to use mobile phones for confidential conversations susceptible to eavesdropping through the telecoms company.

'Our army has a problem now,' Gen Sonthi said last week. 'When we make a call, the line goes to Singapore. When we talk secrets, they go straight to Singapore.' -- AP