Thaksin is in Cambodia, says Democrat spokesman

Thaksin (R) is a personal friend of Hun Sen (L) and often seen playing golf together.

By THE NATION ON SUNDAY
Published on April 5, 2009

Democrat Party spokesman Theptai Senapong said yesterday he believed ousted former premier Thaksin Shinawatra was hiding in Cambodia.

He urged the Cambodian government to reveal his whereabouts and to clearly state what it would do if Thaksin were found there.

Theptai, who is also Democrat leader Abhisit Vejjajiva's personal spokesman, quoted "reliable sources" as saying that Thaksin was believed to be living near Cambodian Premier Hun Sen's house and that the Thai Embassy in Phnom Penh was trying to verify that report.

He said the government was ready for an extradition request and that the Thai Embassy in Phnom Penh was making an approach on the matter.

Theptai said the Lao government had stated that it would extradite Thaksin if he was found in the country and would not allow him to use it as a political tool.

Theptai denied that Cambodia's failure to make a statement on the matter might be related to a recent verbal slip by Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya allegedly calling Hun Sen, "a gangster". He said that matter was over. Government spokesman Panitan Watanayagorn yesterday declined to confirm Theptai's claim, saying that authorities were trying to verify the report. He added that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs would hold a press conference in a few days on the matter.

Army chief General Anupong Paochinda said yesterday that officials were investigating the accuracy of the report that Thaksin had been spotted in Cambodia. Politicians close to Thaksin yesterday dismissed as groundless the report that he was now in the neighbouring country.

"Thaksin is now thousands of kilometres away from Thailand. He is in a time zone with a three-hour difference from ours. He is definitely not in Cambodia," said Jatuporn Promphan, who is also a leader of the red-shirt movement.

Noppadon Pattama said he was sure Thaksin was not in any neighbouring country at the moment although he did not know exactly where he was.