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Relations with Thai govt cannot be normal, says Cambodian PM
17 December 2009


Cambodian PM Hun Sen (L) shakes hands with Thaksin Shinawatra (R)

PHNOM PENH : Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen said Wednesday that foundering relations with Thailand would not be normalised until Bangkok's current government was voted out of office.

Relations between the countries, which have fought a string of deadly gun battles on their border since last year, plunged last month when fugitive former Thai premier Thaksin Shinawatra became an economic adviser to Cambodia.

Both recalled their ambassadors in November, and diplomatic tensions were further raised when Phnom Penh refused to extradite Thaksin during his first visit as economic adviser.

"I tell you (Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva) I'm waiting for the Thai next government to come to power and for them send back the ambassador," said Hun Sen in a speech at Phnom Penh ceremony.

"You raise the issue of Thaksin, but you forget the issue of Preah Vihear," he said, in reference to the 11th century Khmer temple at the centre of the deadly border dispute between the two countries.

"I want to say that relations cannot be normalised as long as you are still invading me," Hun Sen added.

Thaksin, who arrived back in Cambodia Sunday, stepped up his economic advisory role Wednesday as he addressed senior government officials on how to boost investment and tourism.

The telecoms mogul, ousted in a 2006 coup, was credited this week by the Cambodian government for the release of a Thai air traffic control employee jailed for seven years for spying on Thaksin's previous visit.

After the man's arrest last month, Cambodia expelled the first secretary to the Thai embassy and Thailand retaliated in kind.

Angered by Thaksin's presence in Cambodia, Thailand last month also put all talks and cooperation with the neighboring country on hold and has torn up an oil and gas exploration deal signed during Thaksin's tenure as prime minister.

Twice-elected Thaksin is living abroad, mostly in Dubai, to avoid a two-year jail term for corruption handed down by a Thai court in September 2008.

But he remains an influential political figure in Thailand, stirring up mass protests by his "Red Shirt" supporters against the current government.
- AFP /ls

channelnewsasia.com

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"Keeping quiet while monks and other peaceful protesters are murdered and jailed is not evidence of constructive engagement." - Arvind Ganesan, Human Rights Watch.

"I think...I think it's in my basement. Let me go upstairs and check" - M.C. Escher

nikster

There doesn't seem to be much between Thai and Cambodian politicians. Fabricating completely idiotic stories is not beyond them, in fact it's standard operating procedure.

The only thing I wonder is whether the Cambodian royals wouldn't be offended, given that it was a royal pardon that got the Thai "spy" out.

Butterfly

it's hilarious, between T clowneries and the former mass murder Khmer Rouge, we could write a book for children on petty politics

Abhisit did play it well though, but it would have been better if he didn't even acknowledge the existence of that POS of Hun Sen. The Thais have far more ammunition against Hun Sen than he does against Abhisit and I am surprised how low profile and quiet the Thai government has kept during this whole spy drama.

wefearourdespot

PHNOM PENH : Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen said Wednesday that foundering relations with Thailand would not be normalised until Bangkok's current government was voted out of office.
Wise attitude. I hope other bordering countries will come to their senses and follow Cambodia's example.

StrontiumDog

Yes and good old Thaksin, a loyal citizen, someone who has Thailand's interests at heart, has done his best to keep quiet, avoid stirring up shit, supporting the Thai government through one of the worst global economic periods in history. He's a lovely chap. Thailand is lucky to have such a generous, unselfish citizen....

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Eat plutonium death, mutant scum...

StrontiumDog

Obviously you care very deeply for the Thai people.

noelbino

I just Wonder "Who would lose more?"
If you ask the Cambodian border traders where their money comes from the answer would be Thailand.
If Thailand decided to close all border trade the cambodians would suffer most.
Fuckwit Thaksin in his capacity of financial advisor to Cambodia should explain that one hand feeds and one hand bites.
the hand that feeds is needed by the hand that bites.