A Change of Guard

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Tuesday 24 August 2010

Thaksin Resigns As Cambodia's Economic Advisor

Thaksin (R) and Hun Sen during his arrival in Cambodia as economic advisor on 10th November 2009.

Thailand - Latest Development in Thai-Cambodian Relations

On 23 August 2010, Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya gave an interview to the media on the latest development in Thai-Cambodian relations, as follows:

1. The Cambodian authorities have announced that Police Lieutenant Colonel Thaksin Shinawatra has resigned from his position as Advisor to the Royal Government of Cambodia and thus no longer has any connection with the Royal Government of Cambodia. As a consequence, the situation leading to the recall of the Thai Ambassador from Phnom Penh has effectively been resolved. In this regard, the Foreign Minister has instructed Ambassador Prasas Prasasvinitchai, Thai Ambassador to Cambodia, to return to Phnom Penh to resume his duties on 24 August 2010.

2. The Foreign Minister expressed his appreciation to the Royal Government of Cambodia for paving the way for Thai-Cambodian relations to move forward.
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Thaksin Resigns As Phnom Penh's Economic Advisor

By Jamaluddin Muhammad

BANGKOK, Aug 23 (Bernama) -- Fugitive former Thailand Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra has resigned as Phnom Penh's economic advisor, a move that would certainly pave the way for the return of normal relationship between Thailand and Cambodia.

Acting government spokesman Dr Panitan Wattanayagorn confirmed on Monday the resignation of Thaksin, and the Thai government had been informed of the latest development.

In an immediate response, Bangkok will reinstate its ambassador to Phnom Penh Prasas Prasasvinitchai Tuesday, according to Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya. Cambodia too was expected to send back its ambassador to Bangkok soon, said Kasit.

News report from Phnom Penh cited "personal difficulties in fulfilling his role completely" as the reason for Thaksin's resignation.

On Nov 5, 2009, Bangkok recalled its ambassador to Cambodia to protest the appointment of Thaksin as economic advisor to the Cambodian government by Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen.

In a tit for tat, Phnom Penh too asked its ambassador to Bangkok to return home. Thaksin, who was ousted in a military coup in September 2006, fled Thailand in 2008 just before a court sentenced him to two years in jail for abuse of power in the Ratchadepisek land case.

The Thai-Cambodia relationship was also strained when Phnom Penh refused to extradite Thaksin to Thailand and the move was seen by Bangkok as interference in internal affairs of Thailand and a denial of the Thai judicial process.

On the development of the three Thai villagers arrested after straying into the Cambodian territory recently, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said there was no need to use diplomatic channel to solve the problem as it could be settled through the local authority channels.

The three were arrested by Cambodian soldiers while gathering fruits and hunting in the forest along the border.

-- BERNAMA
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Ex-Thai PM Thaksin quits as Cambodian government adviser; Thai envoy to Phnom Penh resumes post

BANGKOK, Aug 23 (MCOT)– Thailand's ambassador to Phnom Penh returns to Cambodia Tuesday following Thai ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra's resignation as economic adviser and adviser to Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, Thai Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya said late Monday.

Mr Kasit ordered Thai ambassador to Phnom Penh Prasas Prasavinitchai to return to his post Tuesday (August 24) after the Cambodian government announced it was no longer engaged with the fugitive ex-premier as he quit his controversial posts as adviser to the Cambodian economy and Prime Minister Hun Sen.

Thai foreign minister said Cambodia will reinstate its ambassador to Bangkok. “I’m glad and I thank the Cambodian government for its cooperation to boost bilateral relations,” Mr Kasit said.

French news agency Agence France-Presse reported Phnom Penh said Mr Thaksin stepped down due to "personal difficulties" in completing his tasks.

Cambodia accepted the decision by Mr Thaksin with thanks for his contributions to the Cambodian economy, the statement reportedly said.

Tensions between the two neighbouring kingdoms flared after Cambodia appointed Thailand's convicted ex-premier as its economic adviser and said it would not extradite Mr Thaksin if asked by Thailand to do so.

Thailand retaliated against Cambodia by recalling its ambassador to Phnom Penh and reviewing cooperation programmes with Cambodia.

Cambodia, however, ignored Thailand's stance, and recalled its ambassador to Bangkok in reciprocation.

Mr Thaksin, ousted in a bloodless coup in September 2006, was sentenced by Thailand’s Supreme Court Criminal Division for Holders of Political Positions to a two-year prison term in absentia for a conflict of interest in a Bangkok land purchase case. Mr Thaksin jumped bail and fled the country. (MCOT online news)

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