Cambodian PM lashes out at Thai leaders

Mr. Koy Kuong, Cambodian Foreign Ministry's spokesman.

ABC Radio Australia

Updated January 14, 2010

Just when you thought relations between Cambodia and Thailand couldn't get any worse, Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Sen has resorted to name calling... and he says he's waiting for the imminent demise of Abhisit Vejjajiva's government before he gets friendly with his neighbour again.

Presenter: Girish Sawlani
Speakers: Panitan Wattanayagorn, Thai government spokesman; Koy Kuong, spokesman, Cambodian Foreign Ministry; Professor Carl Thayer, University of New South Wales

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SAWLANI: Both countries have acknowledged that ties are at an all-time low. But that hasn't stopped Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Sen from straining relations with Thailand even further. Hun Sen has told an audience at a student graduation ceremony in Phnom Penh that Thailand's current government, led by Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva would not survive much longer. He says he's waiting for a new administration to take power before restoring diplomatic relations. He's also referred to Thailand's Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya, as the "chief of terrorists", for his role in last year's airport blockade that helped bring down the pro-Thaksin government. But Thailand is refusing to weigh in on the latest outburst from Phnom Penh.

WATTANAYAGORN: I assume he was talking to Cambodian students. So we're not going to comment on what he said to his students.

SAWLANI: Panitan Wattanayagorn is a spokesman for the Thai government. He says Bangkok is firmly focused on improving relations with its neighbour.

WATTANAYAGORN: At the moment, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is working with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Cambodia to work on these issues. We are taking note of positive developments, including the return of a Thai person accused of stealing security information. He has been granted a pardon and now is being returned back to Cambodia to work. And we think that's a positive step from Cambodia towards our relations.

SAWLANI: But the latest comments by the Cambodian Prime Minister may not necessarily reflect on current relations with the Thai government. Southeast Asia analyst, Professor Carl Thayer from the University of New South Wales, says present developments are playing well into the hands of Hun Sen on the domestic front.

THAYER: No I don't think they [Cambodia] hold a particular animosity towards the Prime Minister (Abhisit Vejjajiva) although that's how it's playing out. But it's that the Thai relations with Cambodia have been a political football inside Cambodia and Hun Sen has been playing the issue for several years now to maximum effect. I think we're just seeing this that he used that in the elections in 2008 to make a major victory because of the Preah Vihear incident. And with relations at an all-time low, he just gained some popularity at home. At the same time, he has his own opposition on the run. So he's reigning supreme and enjoying the political game.

SAWLANI: Part of that political game could be the appointment of fugitive former Prime Minister, Thaksin Shinawatra, as an economic adviser to the Cambodian government - a move that's infuriated the Thai government, and prompted a recall of ambassadors from both countries. Prime Minister Hun Sen is defending his decision, referring to Mr Thaksin as an eternal friend. Bangkok has long requested the extradition of Mr Thaksin to face charges of corruption in Thailand. But Phnom Penh is refusing to consider that option. Koy Kuong is the spokesperson for Cambodia's Foreign Ministry.

KUONG: Yes, Cambodia always supports the appointment of Mr Thaksin as an economic advisor to the government of Cambodia. And the appointment, it is the sovereign right of the Cambodian government to appoint his Excellency Mr Thaksin.

SAWLANI: He says the charges against Thaksin Shinawatra are politically motivated.

KUONG: Cambodia applies the Treaty of Extradition. Especially article 3 of the extradition, that in cases of political motivation, the requested country may not extradite those who are the political victims.

SAWLANI: As the deadlock in the Thaksin controversy continues, Bangkok believes relations may never improve.