Thai ambassador recalled

By Nirmal Ghosh,
Thailand Correspondent
The Straits Times

		Prasas Prasavinitchai, Thai ambassador to Cambodia, arrives at Phnom Penh international airport upon his departures to Thailand. Thailand recalled its ambassador to Phnom Penh after Cambodia made former premier Thaksin Shinawatra an economic advisor. -- PHOTO: REUTERS

BANGKOK - THAILAND recalled its ambassador to Phnom Penh on Thursday, a day after Cambodian Premier Hun Sen appointed fugitive former Thai premier Thaksin Shinawatra a special adviser on economic affairs.

Just hours later, Cambodia responded by pulling its ambassador out of Thailand.

Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, explaining his country's move, said: 'Last night's announcement by the Cambodian government harmed the Thai justice system and really affected Thai public sentiment.

'We have recalled the ambassador as the first diplomatic retaliation measure, to let the Cambodian government know the dissatisfaction of the Thai people.'

But he added that 'people-to-people relations would not be affected' and border checkpoints would remain open.

In Cambodia, Deputy Prime Minister Sok An said: 'To reciprocate the recall of Thailand's ambassador-designate, the Royal Government of Cambodia decided to recall its ambassador for the time being but regards this only as a temporary measure.'