Saudi Arabia has reinstated its charge d'affaires to Thailand after a year-long protest over a court's acquittal of five policemen accused of involvement in the disappearance of a Saudi businessman in 1990.
Abdalelah Mohammed A Alsheaiby, the Saudi charge d'affaires to Thailand, resumed his post in Bangkok earlier last month.
Mr Alsheaiby's first task will be to preside over a reception tomorrow to mark the National Day of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Riyadh called back its charge d' affaires in protest against a court ruling on March 31, 2014 acquitting all five defendants tried in connection with the suspected abduction and possible murder of Saudi businessman Mohammad al-Ruwaili in February, 1990.
The five men were Pol Lt Gen Somkid Boonthanom, a former police inspector-general; Pol Col Sorarak Jusanit, superintendent of Sobmoei police in Mae Hong Son; and Pol Col Praphas Piyamongkol, superintendent of Nam Khun police in Ubon Ratchathani.
The other two were decommissioned officers, Pol Lt Col Suradej Udomdee and Pol Sgt Maj Prasong Thongrung.
The Southern Bangkok Criminal Court cleared the suspects due to a lack of evidence.
Pol Lt Col Suvichai Kaewpluek, a key witness, failed to appear in court and only provided written statements, which also weakened the case against the officers.
The family of the Saudi businessman along with Mr Alsheaiby expressed their disappointment on the day of the verdict, saying the pre-verdict process had been "tampered" with and al-Ruwaili did not get the justice he deserved.
Both the Saudi diplomat and the businessman's family were distressed by the fact a leading judge in the case had been changed just months before the conclusion of the verdict.
The Saudi government lodged an appeal to His Majesty the King and recalled the charge d'affaires.
"The return of the charge d'affaires is a positive signal that Riyadh would like to work on improving relations with Thailand," intelligence officials said.
The Thai prosecutor has appealed against the first court's ruling.
The saga began when a Thai janitor stole jewellery from the palace of then-Prince Faisal, who later became king, in 1989, in Saudi Arabia. The janitor served a jail sentence and the police returned the jewellery to the Saudi authorities.
However, some of the returned pieces -- including the Blue Diamond, a huge, nearly flawless stone -- turned out to be fake, leading to suspicions that senior police and members of the Thai elite had ordered a cover-up to keep the real gems.
Then, al-Rawaili, a private businessman reportedly investigating the jewellery thefts, disappeared.
Meanwhile, the return of the Saudi charges d'affaires will help Thais affected by the haj crane accident in Saudi Arabia, sources say.
"Mr Alsheaiby can directly handle reparation to families of the Thai casualties [one death and three injuries] in the crane accident. Riyadh also needs to pay attention to other matters," said another diplomatic source, referring to the Ratchaprasong bombing.
The Saudi embassy's handling of the annual haj pilgrimage this year has been praised.
"Thanks to all sides, including the embassy in Bangkok, all 10,400 Thai haj pilgrims were issued with visas in time to travel," said an official from the Hajj Affairs Office.