Saudi envoy says Thailand must show it is serious
When Saudi Arabia's chief envoy to Thailand, Nabil H Ashri, meets Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva tomorrow he will convey a simple message from his government regarding future relations between the two countries - that it is simply a matter of justice and trust. Justice in the killing of three diplomats and the disappearance of a Saudi businessman, crimes which have remained unresolved and soured Thai-Saudi relations for the past 20 years, and achieving trust, from Saudi Arabia's point of view, that Thailand is serious in making progress to resolve the cases.
For Mr Ashri, tomorrow's meeting with Mr Abhisit is crucial as on Tuesday a decision will be made whether to prosecute five suspects over the disappearance and suspected murder of Saudi businessman Mohammad al-Ruwaili in 1990.
Prosecutors delayed their decision when a key suspect, Provincial Police Region 5 chief Lt-Gen Somkid Boonthanom, complained about the way the investigation, spearheaded by a new team under the Department of Special Investigation (DSI), conducted the case.
Al-Ruwaili's case is seen as linked to the killing of three Saudi diplomats, also in 1990, and the Saudi royal palace jewellery theft by a Thai worker in 1989. Some of the stolen jewellery is still missing, including the precious 50-carat Blue Diamond.
"We don't want to interfere in the Thai judicial system, but we also do not want to see [political] interference [to prevent progress]. We believe justice will come. We have given the Thai side all the information we have on the three cases," Mr Ashri told the Bangkok Post Sunday.
"These cases can be solved. If there's a will, then something will happen. We don't want someone to be prosecuted just so that relations will improve with Saudi Arabia.
"We want justice and prosecution based on the evidence."
The Saudi envoy says he appreciates the recent efforts of the current DSI team. "There was quite a bit of information missing, but they have done good work. They [the DSI] now say they have new information. Previous witnesses are now willing to give the DSI more and new information."
Movement in the al-Ruwaili case would send a clear signal to the Saudi government and foster greater trust, he said.
"This case is crucial because I want my government to trust the Thai government. Progress means the Thai government is willing to make progress. If there is progress in the al-Ruwaili case, the next step is to resolve that case of the killing of the three Saudi diplomats," Mr Ashri added.
But what would it take for Thai-Saudi relations to return to normal, as they were 20 years ago? "All three cases need to be resolved. But it would be positive if there is progress in one or two cases. If you ask the DSI, they believe that some good will come out of the [al-Ruwaili] case. If we can solve this case then the others can be solved."
If there is progress in this case, Mr Ashri believes Thailand can expect some diplomatic signs of encouragement from the Saudi government.
Mr Ashri did not go into detail as to what that a positive sign would be. He also did not want to say what he fears may happen if prosecutors decided to delay their decision on Tuesday. Such a decision would spark concern from the Saudi government as the statue of limitations on the al-Ruwaili case expires on Feb 12.
The Saudi envoy, who was posted to Thailand nearly four years ago, said he had met every Thai government leader and many ministers, urging them to ensure justice prevails and trust is achieved. "Each government leader has expressed their intention for progress in each of the cases, but political developments have stalled progress," he said.
"I would love my government, my people, to come back to Thailand. Saudi Arabia invests a great deal in Vietnam, Malaysia, India and China, but we cannot do it now in Thailand. Our two countries should be working together. There are quite a number of areas where Thailand and Saudi Arabia can cooperate and benefit such as in labour, investment, tourism and medicine.
"We need Thai labour, Saudi companies want Thai labour. With Thai labourers there are no social problems. Thai labourers are polite, they do not cause problems, they don't complain and they do their job. As far as tourism is concerned, there are about four million Saudis who travel and the potential for Saudis to travel to Thailand is considerable," he said.
Mr Ashri, a career diplomat who has been posted in Austria, Nigeria and Belgium, admits that Thailand is his "most interesting" and "most important" posting. "I enjoy working. I enjoy being here. If successful it will be crucial for Saudi-Thai relations - and of course for me personally."
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