PHNOM PENH (AFP) - FUGITIVE former Thai premier Thaksin Shinawatra arrived in Cambodia on Wednesday for his third trip as a controversial economic adviser to the country, said a government spokesman.
Thaksin, whose visits have stoked a diplomatic row between the Thai and Cambodian governments, landed in a private jet at Phnom Penh International Airport, spokesman Khieu Kanharith told AFP. 'He has arrived. He just landed,' Khieu Kanharith said. 'I don't know about his itinerary yet.'
Thailand and Cambodia recalled their ambassadors in November and expelled senior diplomats over Cambodian premier Hun Sen's appointment of Thaksin, who is living abroad to avoid a jail term for corruption in his home country.
Tensions between the neighbouring countries soared further when Phnom Penh then refused to extradite Thaksin during his first visit to Cambodia in his new role.
During his previous stays in Cambodia, Thaksin has addressed top government officials on how to boost investment, tourism and agriculture. He also met scores of his 'Red Shirt' supporters from Thailand, where he remains a hugely influential figure.
Before Thaksin's appointment as an adviser, relations between Thailand and Cambodia were already tense due to a string of deadly gunbattles at their disputed border, where troops have faced off since July 2008.
Thaksin, whose visits have stoked a diplomatic row between the Thai and Cambodian governments, landed in a private jet at Phnom Penh International Airport, spokesman Khieu Kanharith told AFP. 'He has arrived. He just landed,' Khieu Kanharith said. 'I don't know about his itinerary yet.'
Thailand and Cambodia recalled their ambassadors in November and expelled senior diplomats over Cambodian premier Hun Sen's appointment of Thaksin, who is living abroad to avoid a jail term for corruption in his home country.
Tensions between the neighbouring countries soared further when Phnom Penh then refused to extradite Thaksin during his first visit to Cambodia in his new role.
During his previous stays in Cambodia, Thaksin has addressed top government officials on how to boost investment, tourism and agriculture. He also met scores of his 'Red Shirt' supporters from Thailand, where he remains a hugely influential figure.
Before Thaksin's appointment as an adviser, relations between Thailand and Cambodia were already tense due to a string of deadly gunbattles at their disputed border, where troops have faced off since July 2008.
3 comments:
Dear all,
Please think about our past history, the fall of Longvaek Khmer capital at the end of 16th century by two Thai secret spies, Ati Panho and Sopanho who did blocked the 16 big canon on top of fort wall, and then opened the doors for Thai armies.
Another Indochina War will be imminent in the future.
Hun Sen Rag-tag armies without training, without modern weapons will not withstand against Thai or Hanoi's armies. They will die for Viet, Hun Sen's master only.
Another Khmer blood spilling over (Chheam Dab Pours Damrei) will be coming very soon.
Regards.
Sithan Hin
Another Indochina War will be imminent in the future?
Don't think so and can't see this would happen in this decade.
No major wars will happen between Cambodia-Thailand or Cambodia-Vietnam, not in another 20-50 years- small clashes, yes. War is obsolete, diplomacy is the way to resolving problems between country.
Comparing event during Longvek time to Thaksin, it could be true. Hun Sen wanted to play Thaksin off against other Thai leaders, Abhisit and Kasit in particular, but Thais are not foolish enough to fall into Hun Sen's trap. Hun Sen is very foolish to play this stupid political game by using Thaksin against the current Thai govt. it will not work. Hun Sen should use shrewd and international diplomacy to resolve Cambodia's border problems with Thailand, not playing this stupid political game.
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