By Ek Madra
PHNOM PENH, Nov 10 (Reuters) - Former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, wanted at home for a graft conviction, arrived in Cambodia on Tuesday to take up a job offer from the government that has set off a diplomatic row with Bangkok.
- Tight security in Cambodian capital for Thaksin's arrival
- Job offer from Cambodia sparked diplomatic row with Bangkok
"We have prepared nine different kinds of food for Thaksin to enjoy his meals" - Phay Siphan"Thaksin is now in Cambodia. He flew in on a special flight and just landed at the military airport," said Khieu Kanharith, Cambodian information minister and the top government spokesman.
"We are looking forward to learning from Thaksin's great economic experience and we are convinced that his experience will contribute to our country's economic development," he told Reuters.
The former telecoms tycoon lives in self-imposed exile after being toppled by the military in 2006 and then later found guilty on a conflict of interest charge. He spends much of his time in Dubai.
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen has made Thaksin an economic adviser to his government and offered him a home in his country.
Witnesses reported heavy security for Thaksin's arrival, with black-uniformed troops carrying rifles deployed on the road into the capital from the military airport.
Thaksin has said he does not intend to live in Cambodia permanently.
It was not clear how long he would remain there on this visit. Officials said he would meet Hun Sen on Tuesday and is scheduled to give a lecture on Thursday to 300 economists at the Finance Ministry.
Another Cambodian government spokesman, Phay Siphan, told reporters that Thaksin would be welcomed with some style.
"We have prepared nine different kinds of food for Thaksin to enjoy his meals," Siphan said.
OUTRAGE IN BANGKOK
Thailand's government is outraged at the Cambodian move, not only because it sees Thaksin as a fugitive from justice but because he now has a base across the border from which to organise his campaign to force new elections and return home.
At a weekly cabinet meeting on Tuesday, ministers agreed to scrap a memorandum of understanding covering plans for joint offshore development of energy reserves in the Gulf of Thailand. Talks on finalising the agreement have been going on for years.
The chief prosecutor has said he would ask the foreign ministry to send an arrest warrant for Thaksin to the authorities in Phnom Penh. Cambodia has said Thaksin would not be extradited.
The two countries have recalled their respective ambassadors because of the row over Thaksin.
Relations between the two were already strained after nationalist elements on both sides sparked a row last year over Preah Vihear, an 11th century temple awarded to Cambodia by an international court but claimed by many in Thailand.
That dispute has caused deadly border clashes.
(Reporting by Ek Madra; Writing by Alan Raybould; Editing by Martin Petty and Sugita Katyal)
10 comments:
The first dish Thaksin ate is PAD Thai.
Siphan, Is it true that Thaksin requested the first dish to be PAD thai?
"As a smaller, poorer country, one that has experienced the horrors of genocide, Cambodia will always garner more sympathy than Thailand, regardless of the nature of the dispute."
What a stupid comment!!! Don't try to fool the world, OK?
The real issue is that you Siem claim that there is an overlapping area. Which there is none. Should we translate the verdict of June 15, 1962 in Thai for you ignorant fools? You Siem invaded Khmer land in broad day light, without shame what soever.
Siem people should focus on their internal problems first.
Thaksin was wrongly ousted in 2006 by Prem who manipulated your senile King.
Abhishit, Kashit, Sond-hee are losers who want to legitimize their positions by stirring Preah Vihear issues.
I think Siem people should focus on their country and urge their illegal PM to hold a new election and let Siem people chose a new PM for themselves.
Kashit should be long gone by now...stop using your King to cling on to power. Thaksin has a good heart and intention toward Tailand unlike your stinking mouth and evil ambitions.
I think your King should retire and ensure the smooth transition of the Crown Prince being a new King while he is still alive. I suggest he follows King Sihanouk's transition to King Sihamoni model.
To ensure good neighbour and peace in the region. Siem should stop their greedy ambitions of Preah Vihear temple and adjacent land and stop looking down on Khmer people. Afterall, we are like brothers from the same parents.
I think Thaksin want PAD See Iew instead...he is Chinese you know. Since he is Phnom Penh, he probably likes Somlor Karkor by First Lady Bun Rany Hun Sen.
Kampuchea som swakom ex-PM Thaksin!
Cambodia welcomes ex-PM Thaksin!
May your wisdom help guide Indochina and the rest of South East Asia into an island of peace and prosperity!
Cheyo Thaksin! Cheyo Samdech Hun Sen!
Cheyo Khmer-Thai alliance!
or perhaps, just eat Lady Bun Rany's PAD lips!
Sam Rainsy should organize all his supporters in Cambodia to strike against Thaksin's present in Cambodia. Thai PM Abhisit used to help Sam Rainsy to insult Cambodian Government from Thailand. Now, it's time for Sam Rainsy to attack Thai PM's enemy and SRP can use Thaksin as an excuse to block Phnom Penh airport and bring down the government likes PAD did in Thailand. Please raise up mates, SRP's chance is coming now.
Longlive the alliance PAD and SRP!!
PAD supporter
9 auspicious Khmer dishes for Thaksin in Phnom Penh meaning his next meal in Bangkok will be Rama IX!
Dear PAD,
Thanks for your advice. SRP wants to do like PAD did in Bangkok, but we have no support from Army. So, any strike against Thaksin or block the airport, Hun Sen's police and soldiers will come to kick our ass...
SRP (Candle Light)
Song Sak = ThakSin
Hun Sen Gov. = Beggar Gov.
Cut donation and loans from other country Cambodia Gov. will die.
ThakSin will plan about drug trafficking with Hun Sen
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