Hun Sen (L) shook hand with Kasit during the latter's visit to Cambodia on 26th Jan, 2009.Thai Foreign Ministry on Tuesday denied that Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya did not insult Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Sun by calling him a gangster during the recent censure.
Foreign Ministry's spokesman Tharit Charungvat said Hun Sen may misinterpret and misunderstand.
The spokesman was referring to an AFP report from Phnom Penh which quoted Hun Sen as blasting at Kasit for allegedly insulting him by calling him a gangster.
"He insults me -- he has called me a gangster," Hun Sen said of the foreign minister.
"What if I insult your king? What would you say if I insulted your prime minister and your ancestors? I'm not angry with you, but please use dignified words," Hun Sen was quoted as saying in AFP.
Tharit said Hun Sen might misinterpret Thai dialect of which Kasit called him "Nak Leng" (tough man).
The word has a positive meaning, rather than defamation, Tharit said noting that the ministry would clarify to Hun Sen through diplomatic channel later.
Prime Minister Hun Sen made such statement in the context of border conflict as he warned Thai troop not to invade Cambodia's territory any more.
Cambodian officials said last week some 100 Thai troops briefly entered the areas adjacent to the Hindu temple of Preah Vihear where border skirmish erupted in October last year.
"I tell you first, if you enter (Cambodian territory) again, we will fight.
The troops at the border have already received the order," Hun Sen said at a ceremony to open a road named after him in the seaside resort of Sihanoukville.
"I am the leader of Cambodia who was elected by the will of the people, not by robbing power," he added, in an apparent reference to Thailand's current political instability, according to AFP.
Spokesman Tharit said Thailand believed that peaceful means and negotiations would resolve border dispute.
Thai-Cambodia Joint Commission on Demarcation for Land Boundary would meet April 6-7 to continue discussion on boundary settlement. Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva would visit Cambodia April 18.
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