Thaksin gives economic lecture to Cambodian economic experts

PHNOM PENH, Nov. 12 (Xinhua) -- Ousted former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra on Thursday took his role for the first time as adviser of Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen and the Royal Government of Cambodia to give a economic lecture to more than 300 Cambodian economic experts at the Ministry of Economy and Finance.

Ousted former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra (2nd L) gives a lecture in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Nov. 12, 2009. Thaksin Shinawatra on Thursday took his role for the first time as adviser of Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen and the Royal Government of Cambodia to give an economic lecture to more than 300 Cambodian economic experts at the Ministry of Economy and Finance. (Xinhua/Lei Baisong) Photo Gallery>>>

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The theme of Thaksin's first lecture was "Strategy to Fight Financial and Economic Crisis."

"I will humbly recommend whatever I think might be appropriate for the Cambodian government and the peoples," said Thaksin.

Keat Chhon, deputy prime minister and minister of economy and finance, in his welcome speech said that "He (Thaksin) initiated many eye-catching policies ... They affected the economy, public health, education, energy, social order, drug suppression and international relations."

"I think that there are a lot of things we can learn from Thaksin's very recent and distinctive experiences in order to design our own policies to address the challenges posed by the crisis and bring our economy back to its high growth record.

Thaksin encourages Cambodian government to continuing its past policies that have been applicable to the countries, such as microfinancing policy; one village one product; investing in infrastructure, water and irrigation; legal system's reform to accommodate the growth and the investment.

"You don't invest first than investor don't come," he said, adding that "idea itself is not enough. Implementation is important."

Ousted former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra (L) gives a lecture in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Nov. 12, 2009.(Xinhua/Lei Baisong) Photo Gallery>>>

Meanwhile, Thaksin appealed the small countries do not over reliance on big countries' markets like in the past in order to avoid becoming victims of the financial crisis. He also said there are signings that the development of the world economy in the future will be shift to Asia, such as China, India and Middle East.

Relations between the two neighboring countries were further strained recently after Cambodia named ousted former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra its economic adviser. Thailand recalled its ambassador Thursday, and Cambodia followed suit.

Thaksin was ousted in a 2006 military coup for alleged massive corruption and other charges. His supporters say he should be pardoned and returned to power. Since the coup, Thaksin has lived abroad to escape a corruption conviction and two-year prison sentence.

Thaksin arrived here on Tuesday. After his arrival, Thailand government asked Cambodia to "provisional arrest for the purpose of extradition of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, but was turned down by Cambodian government saying it "considers the prosecution and legal process against Thaksin Shinawatra as a politically motivated proceeding."

On Wednesday, Prime Minister Hun Sen held talks with Thaksin for nearly two hours at his Takhmau suburb residence. Hun Sen also said that he has no plan to discuss Thaksin's visit in Cambodia during Saturday's meeting between ASEAN leaders and U.S. President Barack Obama.

After the lecture, Thaksin flied to Siem Reap province to visit world famous Angkor Wat temples and planned to play golf with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen on Friday. He is expected to leave Cambodia on Friday or Saturday.
Editor: Zhang Xiang