Click to read the royal decree in Khmer.
By Suy Se
PHNOM PENH (AFP)— Cambodia said Wednesday it had appointed fugitive former Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra (pictured) economic adviser to premier Hun Sen in a move that adds to tensions between the countries.
The appointment was announced on state television almost two weeks after Hun Sen first riled Thailand by offering safe haven to Thaksin, who was ousted in a coup in 2006 and is living abroad to avoid a jail term for corruption.
"Thaksin has already been appointed by royal decree... as personal adviser to Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen and the adviser to the Cambodian government in charge of economy," said a government statement read on television.
"Allowing Thaksin to stay in Cambodia is virtuous behaviour...good friends need to help each other in difficult circumstances," it added.
The statement went on to call charges against Thaksin "politically motivated" and vowed not to extradite him if he "decides to stay in Cambodia or travels in and out of Cambodia in order to fulfill his duties".
Ties between Cambodia and Thailand have been difficult since June 2008 amid an ongoing border conflict over land surrounding an 11th century temple, which has claimed several lives.
Hun Sen stoked up tensions with Thailand in late October when he first offered Thaksin refuge in Cambodia and then marred a summit of Asian leaders by saying he had offered him the job as economic adviser.
Thailand said that the appointment was an internal matter for Hun Sen's government but it would push for the extradition of billionaire Thaksin if he sets foot in Cambodia.
"It's a Cambodian matter," Thai Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban told AFP. "We don't have to analyse anything, the appointment is a private relationship between Cambodia and Thaksin. It hasn't had any impact on us."
"It's not a surprise. Cambodia has previously hired other foreigners as advisers and it did not cause us any problems. We don't have to worry too much," added Suthep, who is in charge of national security.
"But if Thaksin happens to be in Cambodia then we have to ask for his extradition."
Thaksin remains an influential figure on Thailand's turbulent political scene, stirring up mass protests from abroad against the government of Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva.
The Thai government announced last month that it would strip Thaksin of his royal awards and his official rank from his time in the police force.
Twice-elected Thaksin fled Thailand last year before he was sentenced to two years in jail in a corruption case. His allies were driven from government in December after anti-Thaksin protesters occupied Bangkok's airports.
Abhisit has said Thaksin, who has several passports and divides his time between a number of countries, must return to Thailand to face justice.
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Cambodian Premier Hires Fugitive Thai Leader As Personal, Economic Adviser
November 4, 2009
Windsor Genova - AHN News Writer
Phnom Penh, Cambodia (AHN) - The Cambodian government announced Wednesday its leader has appointed fugitive former Thailand prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra as his personal adviser and the country's economic adviser.
The announcement made on national television also said Cambodia will not extradite Thaksin if he comes to the country to perform his duty. Phnom Penh regards as politically motivated his conviction in absentia for abuse of power during his term by a Thai court last year.
But Thailand's Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban said Bangkok will seek Thaksin's extradition from Cambodia as the exiled leader had been sentenced to two years imprisonment.
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen offered refuge to Thaksin last month. The appointment adds tension to a border conflict between the two countries that has claimed several lives.
------------------------------
Radio Netherlands
Fugitive former Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra has been named Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen's personal advisor. He will also advise the government on economic affairs.
An official announcement says Cambodia's King Norodom Sihamoni has approved the appointment and that Mr Thaksin will not be extradited to neighbouring Thailand. The Thai government has said it will request his extradition nevertheless.
Mr Thaksin was deposed by the Thai army in 2006. A Thai court found him guilty of corruption last year and he has been living abroad since then to avoid a prison term. Cambodia says the verdict was politically motivated.
The appointment of Mr Thaksin to the posts in Cambodia will further worsen relations between the two countries. Tensions have been high since clashes over the Preah Vihear Hindu temple complex on the border. The International Court of Justice in The Hague ruled that the complex is in Cambodia but Thailand disputes the decision.
PHNOM PENH (AFP)— Cambodia said Wednesday it had appointed fugitive former Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra (pictured) economic adviser to premier Hun Sen in a move that adds to tensions between the countries.
The appointment was announced on state television almost two weeks after Hun Sen first riled Thailand by offering safe haven to Thaksin, who was ousted in a coup in 2006 and is living abroad to avoid a jail term for corruption.
"Thaksin has already been appointed by royal decree... as personal adviser to Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen and the adviser to the Cambodian government in charge of economy," said a government statement read on television.
"Allowing Thaksin to stay in Cambodia is virtuous behaviour...good friends need to help each other in difficult circumstances," it added.
The statement went on to call charges against Thaksin "politically motivated" and vowed not to extradite him if he "decides to stay in Cambodia or travels in and out of Cambodia in order to fulfill his duties".
Ties between Cambodia and Thailand have been difficult since June 2008 amid an ongoing border conflict over land surrounding an 11th century temple, which has claimed several lives.
Hun Sen stoked up tensions with Thailand in late October when he first offered Thaksin refuge in Cambodia and then marred a summit of Asian leaders by saying he had offered him the job as economic adviser.
Thailand said that the appointment was an internal matter for Hun Sen's government but it would push for the extradition of billionaire Thaksin if he sets foot in Cambodia.
"It's a Cambodian matter," Thai Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban told AFP. "We don't have to analyse anything, the appointment is a private relationship between Cambodia and Thaksin. It hasn't had any impact on us."
"It's not a surprise. Cambodia has previously hired other foreigners as advisers and it did not cause us any problems. We don't have to worry too much," added Suthep, who is in charge of national security.
"But if Thaksin happens to be in Cambodia then we have to ask for his extradition."
Thaksin remains an influential figure on Thailand's turbulent political scene, stirring up mass protests from abroad against the government of Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva.
The Thai government announced last month that it would strip Thaksin of his royal awards and his official rank from his time in the police force.
Twice-elected Thaksin fled Thailand last year before he was sentenced to two years in jail in a corruption case. His allies were driven from government in December after anti-Thaksin protesters occupied Bangkok's airports.
Abhisit has said Thaksin, who has several passports and divides his time between a number of countries, must return to Thailand to face justice.
-----------------------------
Cambodian Premier Hires Fugitive Thai Leader As Personal, Economic Adviser
November 4, 2009
Windsor Genova - AHN News Writer
Phnom Penh, Cambodia (AHN) - The Cambodian government announced Wednesday its leader has appointed fugitive former Thailand prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra as his personal adviser and the country's economic adviser.
The announcement made on national television also said Cambodia will not extradite Thaksin if he comes to the country to perform his duty. Phnom Penh regards as politically motivated his conviction in absentia for abuse of power during his term by a Thai court last year.
But Thailand's Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban said Bangkok will seek Thaksin's extradition from Cambodia as the exiled leader had been sentenced to two years imprisonment.
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen offered refuge to Thaksin last month. The appointment adds tension to a border conflict between the two countries that has claimed several lives.
------------------------------
Radio Netherlands
Fugitive former Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra has been named Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen's personal advisor. He will also advise the government on economic affairs.
An official announcement says Cambodia's King Norodom Sihamoni has approved the appointment and that Mr Thaksin will not be extradited to neighbouring Thailand. The Thai government has said it will request his extradition nevertheless.
Mr Thaksin was deposed by the Thai army in 2006. A Thai court found him guilty of corruption last year and he has been living abroad since then to avoid a prison term. Cambodia says the verdict was politically motivated.
The appointment of Mr Thaksin to the posts in Cambodia will further worsen relations between the two countries. Tensions have been high since clashes over the Preah Vihear Hindu temple complex on the border. The International Court of Justice in The Hague ruled that the complex is in Cambodia but Thailand disputes the decision.
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