Suthep: No border closure

Published: 11/11/2009 at 02:07 PM
Online news: Breakingnews

Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban reaffirmed on Wednesday Thailand will not resort to closing its border with Cambodia, which has rejected its request to extradite Thaksin Shinawatra.

He declined to comment on the Cambodian refusal, saying he would rather wait to see the official reply letter than engaging in a verbal spat through the media.

There were international diplomatic channels that could be followed in this matter, Mr Suthep said.

Mr Suthep, who is in charge of security affairs, said the Thai government would not resort "special" measures, such as sending forces into Cambodia to bring Thaksin back to Thailand, because each country has its own sovereignty to protect.

What Thailand could do now was to send an official letter explaining to Cambodia that Thaksin is a criminal, not political, convict and that the two countries have an extradition treaty and should comply with it, he said.

Asked about Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen's challenging Thailand to close the border, Mr Suthep said a politician's expression of emotion could not be taken seriously.

He said Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva's policy is for security agencies to protect Thai sovereignty and make sure that the people along the border can lead happy, normal lives.

People on both sides had relatives across the border who and maintained commercial links Their daily lives should not be disturbed by a conflict between governments, Mr Suthep said.

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Nahm Roo

Discussion 8 : 13/11/2009 at 07:23 AM8
Now you are seen as weak...
a khmer in Phnom Penh

Discussion 7 : 11/11/2009 at 10:30 PM7
to discussion #5

"Shutting the Border would severly damage the economies of both Countries. Cambodia relies heavily on Thailand to feed it with Tourism..."

euh...maybe there are many different definitions of "heavily" or at least you are referring to your own standard (of) "heavily"...for your record, foreign tourists arrives in Cambodia through thailand amount to around 30% of total tourist numbers (as of sept 2009).

i bet malaysia, singapore, vietnam and korea are more than happy to see sovannabhumi closed so that tourists would skip BKK for transit!!!

further in your comment simply indicates that you have no general and basic knowledge at all about cambodia. let's put it plainly straight. look at how democracy has evolved during the past decade in cambodia and thailand. wikipedia it and you will see the sharp contrast between the two countries.
KHM

Discussion 6 : 11/11/2009 at 05:46 PM6
Border closer is somewhere around. PAD can closed the airport, why not just the border with Cambodia!!!! Imagine!

Sothep and Abishit intimidated that they will close the border, but now they said NO plan. Later on, they just close. People need to be on alert. They are the people with PAD's head.

A team of Abishit should not possess the like of Kasit and PAD, otherwise, you will never be voted. Trust me.

Wish Cambodia and Thailand on peace and mutual respect.

Thanks for the post.
David Harrison

Discussion 5 : 11/11/2009 at 05:31 PM5
Magically the problem will be solved with diplomacy backed up by business interests.

Shutting the Border would severly damage the economies of both Countries. Cambodia relies heavily on Thailand to feed it with Tourism and Thailand's superior business structure would suffer from any stoppage of Thai Products into Thailand. Thai Companies active in Cambodia would also be crippled.

But none of that will happen. The pressure on Thaksin to leave Cambodia will build and his position will become untenable. Much of the problem centres around Cambodia's mischief making ex Khmer Rouge Prime Minister Hun Sen.
a Khmer in Phnom Penh

Discussion 4 : 11/11/2009 at 05:12 PM4
with time Mr. Suthep has become so mature diplomatically. a good sign for every party of the ongoing political and diplomatic game.
Jack

Discussion 3 : 11/11/2009 at 03:18 PM3
Dear K.Suthep and Abisit, it was both of you who said that you want to close the border, why change your attitude now?
LEMON

Discussion 2 : 11/11/2009 at 02:37 PM2
"He would rather wait to see the official reply letter than engaging in a verbal spat through the media."

Just curious because at the same time i see an article at this BP saying that the Thai Foreign Ministry has already received the official letter from Cambodia but how come Mr. Suthep says that the refusal is just the verbal spat through the media?

Thanks!
cooler

Discussion 1 : 11/11/2009 at 02:12 PM1
What will you do next Mr. Suthep for this rejection?

Suthep: No border closure