US embassy cable - 05BANGKOK802

C O N F I D E N T I A L BANGKOK 000802 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPARTMENT FOR EAP, EAP/BCLTV, PRM 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/31/2015 
TAGS: PREF, PREL, PHUM, ASEC, KS, KN, TH, Refugee, Asylum, LAOS, North Korea (DPRK) 
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR-FM SURAKIART ON NORTH KOREAN ASYLUM 
SEEKER IN VIENTIANE 
 
REF: A. STATE 13599 
     B. VIENTIANE 128 
     C. SEOUL 444 
     D. EMBASSY VIENTIANE (BAUER) JANUARY 31 E-MAIL TO 
        EMBASSY BANGKOK (ARVIZU) 
 
Classified By: Ambassador Ralph L. Boyce.  Reason:  1.4 (d) 
 
 1. (C) On January 28, while in Phuket for Thai-hosted 
conference on a tsunami early warning system (EWS), the 
Ambassador spoke with Foreign Minister Surakiart about Ahn 
Kyong Su, the North Korean asylum seeker in Embassy 
Vientiane.  The Ambassador noted that the Lao government 
would not allow transit to Thailand for onward travel to 
South Korea using a commercial flight from Vientiane, and 
insisted that the North Korean could only cross the border 
into Thailand by land.  He urged Thai flexibility on the land 
option.  Surakiart said that he was aware of the Ambassador's 
earlier approach to MFA Permanent Secretary Krit 
Garnjana-Goonchorn and had been updated regularly on 
working-level discussions and developments by his staff. 
 
2. (C) At first Surakiart asked why the USG did not press the 
Lao harder on the air option and even offered to call 
himself.  After the Ambassador told him that the Lao 
government had not yielded after several approaches and 
clearly would not budge, Surakiart indicated that Thailand 
would agree to land passage as long as the North Korean is 
properly documented by the ROK and taken directly from Nong 
Khai to Udorn, and then flown to Bangkok airport for 
immediate travel onwards. 
 
3. (C) Per Ref D, FM Surakiart has instructed the Thai 
Ambassador in Vientiane to convey to Embassy Vientiane and 
the Lao Government that Thailand will allow Anh to enter 
Thailand via land as long as the conditions are met.  The 
next critical step would appear for the ROK to issue Anh the 
proper travel documents either in Vientiane or elsewhere so 
that they can be passed to him on the Friendship Bridge 
between Laos and Thailand. In addition, it would be best if 
the ROK would agree to take custody of Anh at the Friendship 
Bridge, transport him to Bangkok for his onward travel to 
Seoul, and coordinate with the Thai Government as necessary 
on these arrangements.  We stand ready to assist. 
BOYCE