Thailand, Cambodia pull envoys in Thaksin row

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Thailand, Cambodia pull envoys in Thaksin row

Published: 5/11/2009 at 04:03 PM
Online news: Asia

Thailand and Cambodia recalled their respective ambassadors Thursday after Phnom Penh sparked a furious diplomatic row by naming fugitive former Thai premier Thaksin Shinawatra as its economic adviser.

Thai ambassador Prasas Prasavinitchai arrives at Phnom Penh airport as he leaves Cambodia. Thailand and Cambodia have recalled their respective ambassadors after Phnom Penh sparked a furious diplomatic row by naming fugitive former Thai premier Thaksin Shinawatra as its economic adviser.

The tit-for-tat withdrawals plunged relations between the neighbouring countries to a new low after they fought a series of deadly clashes during the past year over disputed land around an ancient temple on their border.

The Cambodian government announced the appointment of Thaksin on state television late Wednesday, riling Bangkok as it attempts to bring home the billionaire to face justice three years after he was ousted in a coup.

"We have recalled the ambassador as the first diplomatic retaliation measure to let the Cambodian government know the dissatisfaction of the Thai people," Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva told reporters.

Aid projects and bilateral agreements with Cambodia would be reviewed, but checkpoints on the tense border would remain open, Abhisit added.

Thai foreign ministry official Chavanond Intarakomalyasut told AFP that the appointment of Thaksin "is considered interfering in our internal politics because Thaksin is still actively involved in politics."

Cambodia hit back hours later, with Deputy Prime Minister Sok An saying that it was withdrawing its envoy from Bangkok as a "temporary measure" until Thailand sent its envoy back to Phnom Penh.

Sok An said the recalls would not affect trade or raise tensions along the border.

Twice-elected Thaksin remains a hugely influential figure in Thailand, which has been rocked by years of protests by his red-clad supporters and yellow-clad opponents, including rallies that shut down Bangkok's airports last year.

The one-time policeman is currently living in exile to avoid a two-year jail term for corruption. Bangkok has confiscated his passport, meaning that he travels on documents from other countries, and has issued a warrant for his arrest.

The current saga began in October when outspoken Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen offered refuge to Thaksin, and then followed it up at an Asian summit two weeks ago by offering him a job as his finance adviser.

Thaksin said in a Twitter posting that he thanked Hun Sen for the appointment but still wanted to work for Thailand's well-being.

"I thank His Excellency Hun Sen and I just received a copy which was signed by King Sihamoni. It's an honour. But it's not going to be fun like working to help Thai people out of poverty," Thaksin said.

Thailand has urged Cambodia to extradite Thaksin if he enters the neighbouring country, but Cambodia says it will not and that the charges against him were politically motivated.

Relations between the two predominantly Buddhist nations have been strained since July 2008 by the ongoing border conflict over land surrounding an 11th century Cambodian temple after it was granted UN World Heritage status.

The Cambodian military said the situation was calm on the border but that Hun Sen had ordered forces to remain on "high alert" around the disputed Preah Vihear temple, where the two countries last fought in April.

"Cambodia will not invade Thai territory, but if Thai troops enter our territory even one centimetre they will be destroyed," said Chea Dara, deputy commander-in-chief of Cambodia's armed forces.

The Thai and Cambodian prime ministers are both due to attend a mini-summit of leaders from Mekong Basin countries in the Japanese capital Tokyo on Friday and Saturday.

About the author

: Writer: AFP News agency; Position: Agence France-Presse

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SiameseCat

Discussion 84 : 09/11/2009 at 11:56 PM84
It is ludicrous that Hun Sen has the temerity to say anything at all about lawfulness, much less Thai law. It is not like he is a lawful person from a lawful country.

I might be mistaken but is he not the person who tacitly instigated the despicable burning of the Royal Thai Embassy (and the barbaric looting of thai businesses) a few years back?

It is about time for this vietnamese-installed puppet-cum-thug to be put in his place, don't you think?

Cheers,
Don Aleman

Discussion 83 : 09/11/2009 at 04:39 PM83
I believe thailand has not been friendly with Cambodia for years over really dumb issues and now they will probably hand this situation over to the "Generals" who, with no hesitation at all, can turn this into a war which they cannot win. Hell, the army can't even protect it's own citizens !
paul

Discussion 82 : 09/11/2009 at 03:12 PM82
the country stole his elected position, stole his money"They didn't steal all of it though did they? Still had enough loose change to cough up £83 million to buy Manchester City football club and sold on at a profit. Its all very well saying ignore Thaxsin he won't ignore Thailand and he is not going away any time soon as he still wants his old job back. I think the Thai government is in an impossible situation now as they have a convicted felon being given a senior role in a country that borders Thailand and with whom relations are detiorating by the day. Its a mans life in the army thats why Thaxsin and hun Sen are not in it but from where I stand it looks as though push is giving way to shove by the minute, watch this space as we are in for "interesting times".
john

Discussion 81 : 08/11/2009 at 09:13 AM81
He didn't sell the country, the country stole his elected position, stole his money, and foreced him out. Now Cambodia gets a great economic advisor, and everybody is angry again.

What exactly do people want? The international community is not going to condemn someone for rushing an auction
John

Discussion 80 : 08/11/2009 at 08:42 AM80
I just want many of young Thai people to know and understand the situation how Thai high level play their politics. Please study how Thai's history of play politics before you make decision to support one another side. Many of Thai people know well that how the good thing that Thaksin has been done and how bad he has been done so far. But, many of Thai people or even our people no body that Abhisit well do better job than Thaksin or maybe Abhisit will do more badly than Thaksin who know. I saw in the Web site or tv, many of loves face like you are please keep your clean record don't use your face to mix up with these people who they are already have nasty face. Prepare come to USA or any other Country that you wish to get your PHD then back to your Country and lead the Country as well as possible.

What you need to have:

1. Justic
2. Democracy
3. Polite politics

See how USA they play polite politics, they don't Ousted one another liked you see in Thailand today.

Thanks and good wish for young Thai people.
Don

Discussion 79 : 07/11/2009 at 04:34 PM79
Non Partisan has some good points. Law should be even handed and impartial. It should not be a weapon to be used by the rich and powerful against the weak or oppressed.

Now the current government seems intent on shouting up on the military front. Let's hope it's just wind..
John W. Roach

Discussion 78 : 07/11/2009 at 02:40 PM78
This Thai Cambodian business is a tempest in a tea cup. In fact this anti Thaksin nonsense is a big bore. Get over it Thailand! There are a lot more important issues such as the economy and formulas to prevent future coups like the one that started all this uproar.
Tony

Discussion 77 : 07/11/2009 at 12:18 PM77
Hun Sen's behavior is openly hostile and undermining of Thai sovereignty security and stability. He deserves neither the respect or stately relations afforded to legitimate and balanced foreign governments.
Mony

Discussion 76 : 07/11/2009 at 01:55 AM76
First feel free to come and see in the U.S. the Yello shirts people.

I wish that the Thai government closes its border so Cambodia can welcome our new guests (like China, Korea and Japan) as our investors. Thailand has taken for granted Cambodia for many years. It is about time that Cambodia is standing up to the bully.

By the way, if Thailand plan to invade Cambodia militarily (with their current hi-tec weapons), Thailand must think again because you know who is behind our prime minister Hun Sen.

Oh, here is my e-mail address for the Yellow Shirt people: buntha8761@gmail.com
Amarillo

Discussion 75 : 06/11/2009 at 07:47 PM75
Fallacy is right!
Many are thinking that Thaksin had helped the Thai economy when he was prime minister. It’s only an illusion! The Thai economy was doing well only because all others countries around the world were on an economical growth. (See data stocks below)
Thaksin also injected money in the Thai economy, by selling Thai state assets companies as TOP, PTT, etc...
This money (from the Thai assets) was invested or spent in some projects with big advertising for Thaksin to cover up all others swindling.
Also, the money spent from the selling of state assets did not have to be reimbursed by Thaksin’s administration!
On the contrary, P.M. Abhisit's 800 Billion Baht borrowing has to be reimbursed! The Democrats can reimburse, because former P.M. Chuan done already this operation, after borrowing money from the I.M.F. (following the financial debacle of 1997 under the Chavalit-Thaksin government)

Few markets indexes at March 2003 and December 2005

NASDAQ 1300 --> 2200
DJIA 7600 --> 10900
FTSE 3500 --> 5500
DAX 2500 --> 5200
CAC 2600 --> 4700
NIKKEI 8000 --> 15000

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Thailand, Cambodia pull envoys in Thaksin row