Saturday, October 31, 2009

P. Penh 'must justify refusal'

31/10/2009
Bangkok Post

Cambodia has the legal right to reject Thai requests for the extradition of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra if he sets foot there, but Phnom Penh must justify any such decision, says Attorney-General Chulasingh Vasantasingh.

Mr Chulasingh made the remark in response to the recent announcement by Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen that he would not extradite Thaksin to Thailand if the convicted former premier moved to Cambodia.

Thailand and Cambodia have signed an extradition treaty, but either government has the right not to approve an extradition request, Mr Chulasingh said.

Any refusal to extradite a criminal under the treaty's terms must be given an explanation that meets international standards, he said.

If Thai authorities are informed that Thaksin is residing in Cambodia the Office of the Attorney-General will seek his extradition, if asked to do so by police and the Foreign Ministry.

Care must be taken not to overreact to Hun Sen's recent remarks about Thaksin, warned Chart Thai Pattana Party spokesman Watchara Kannikar.

The government and the Foreign Ministry should not respond aggressively to the comments, or stir up nationalism, either of which could worsen bilateral relations, Mr Watchara said.

He also urged Puea Thai Party chairman Chavalit Yongchaiyudh to remember when engaging in negotiations and political activity that he is Thai.

Gen Chavalit made a trip to Cambodia on Oct 21 where he met Hun Sen.

He said the trip was a private effort to help improve relations with Cambodia which have soured over the Preah Vihear temple dispute. But critics said the visit was a move to discredit the Democrat-led government.

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

There's no place like home but if you can't be at home...be as close to home as possible. There's no other country similar to Thailand than Cambodia and vice versa. Both countries are buddhists and have similar cuisines. The best bet for Thaksin is Cambodia!

Hun Sen can host our foreign guest Thaksin as Mao Tse Tong and Kim Il Sung to then Prince Sihanouk.

Thaksin seeks asylum because of the illegal 2006 coup! His life is under jeopardy. Not the pretext by the coup leaders to serve the two year jail term. All his personal assets must be returned to Thaksin immediately...or there will be a bloody revolution in Thailand.

Anonymous said...

Q: Why the extreme Rightist in Thailand are so paranoid after Hun Sen announced his eternal love for Thaksin?

A1; My own opinions. The rightists may be afraid of the fall of Thailand into the Socialist-Communist. Because Thaksin supports the strategies of Beijing.

A2: Could be Hanoi's genius strategies while China is quietly invading Vietnam and the US now embracing Junta military in Burma left Hanoi alone. This Preah Vihear problem coud be created by Hanoi.
If Vietnam accepts to sleep with China then what will happen to Cambodia and Thailand?

Anonymous said...

When Cambodia refuses to extradite Thaksin, Thais asked for explanation that meets international standards, but when Khmer Temple Preah Vihear was given back to Cambodia with the land surround by the international court, Thais said "we don't respect International court decision used French map.

Anonymous said...

No, Thai government has to explain why Thaksin is not politicaly persecuted- wasn't he outed by a coup in 2006? Is the so called court, which tried him, independent? Hasn't the current democrat government been in power due to constitutinal coups?

Anonymous said...

Thais ... if you want to be proud and have many World's wonders, come to live to Cambodia .... and your children will be proud... too

Anonymous said...

No Thai allow to live in the Kingdom of Khmer. Only Khmer descents and others who love and protect our county Cambodia.

Anonymous said...

Cambodia always opened good heart to Thai people since the Mongol invasion Nanchao, the land of Thai people.

Anonymous said...

Khmer people have to aware that thai gov.have to capture more Cambodian people legal or illegal in order to negotiate with Mr.hun sen about Mr.thaksin.