By Martin Petty
PHNOM PENH (Reuters) - Emboldened by a rousing welcome in Cambodia, fugitive former Thai premier Thaksin Shinawatra is rallying supporters from just over the border, upping the ante in Thailand's political crisis.
After accusing Thailand's rulers of "false patriotism" in a speech in Phnom Penh on Thursday, Thaksin huddled with more than 20 supporters and leaders of his red-shirted, anti-government protest movement who traveled from Thailand.
That number will swell on Friday when about 100 supporters plan to gather in the Cambodian town of Siem Reap, about 150 km (90 miles) from the Thai border, according to Puea Thai, an incarnation of Thaksin's disbanded Thai Rak Thai party.
The prospect of the billionaire -- who the Thai government sees as a criminal -- running a political campaign from across the border rattled investors, sending Thai stock prices tumbling nearly 3 percent on concern of more instability in Southeast Asia's second-biggest economy.
Royalists aligned with the military, who wear the king's traditional color of yellow, plan a demonstration of their own on Sunday in Bangkok to denounce Thaksin and Cambodia, threatening to deepen the political and diplomatic impasse.
"Political factors should add more risk to the market. If it keeps dragging on, things may become overwhelming," said Therdsak Taveetheeratham, an analyst with Asia Plus Securities, a stock brokerage in Bangkok.
Twice elected in landslides, Thaksin was ousted in a military coup in 2006 and later convicted of breaching conflict-of-interest laws and sentenced in absentia to two years in prison. He still commands a huge, loyal following in Thailand.
Thursday's meeting in a hotel lobby in Siem Reap marked the closest Thaksin has been to Thai soil while gathering with supporters who want to topple the Thai government. Some hoisted posters of Thaksin, and sang and cheered during the meeting. At least one wept, a Reuters photographer said.
His allies say he gave a voice to Thais who have missed out on decades of economic development. They are seeking a royal pardon and demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, who leads a shaky coalition.
His critics, largely the urban elite in Bangkok, say he ran roughshod over Thailand's system of parliamentary checks and balances in an increasingly dictatorial rule.
"FALSE PATRIOTISM"
Earlier Thaksin gave a speech to about 300 Cambodian business and government leaders in Phnom Penh, his first since Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen sparked a diplomatic row by offering Thaksin refuge and appointing him as adviser.
"I see a lot of synergy between your country and mine," said Thaksin, who had been living in self-imposed exile largely in Dubai before arriving in Phnom Penh on Tuesday. "Of course, not all my compatriots see it that way right now," he said.
"Their domestic political compulsions force them toward false patriotism." His comments drew robust applause.
Underscoring the friction between the neighbors, Cambodia expelled a senior Thai diplomat without explanation on Thursday, and Thailand reciprocated, according a spokeswoman at Thailand's Foreign Ministry.
The countries have already recalled their ambassadors. Thailand is also freezing several investment projects after Cambodia rebuffed Thailand's request to extradite Thaksin.
Abhisit told reporters the government would be careful in its retaliation in the dispute, which has also drawn attention to a border where Thai and Cambodian troops have clashed this year.
Hun Sen, who has long had good relations with Thaksin, has called his graft charges politically motivated. Abhisit is under pressure ahead of a Southeast Asian summit with U.S. President Barack Obama on Sunday in Singapore, the first-ever meeting between a U.S. leader and all 10 members of the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN).
Thailand chairs ASEAN this year. "We don't want this problem to affect ASEAN and we don't want to see it spreading to other places," he said.
($1=33.28 Baht)
(Additional reporting by Orathai Sriring; Writing by Jason Szep; Editing by Jeremy Laurence)
After accusing Thailand's rulers of "false patriotism" in a speech in Phnom Penh on Thursday, Thaksin huddled with more than 20 supporters and leaders of his red-shirted, anti-government protest movement who traveled from Thailand.
That number will swell on Friday when about 100 supporters plan to gather in the Cambodian town of Siem Reap, about 150 km (90 miles) from the Thai border, according to Puea Thai, an incarnation of Thaksin's disbanded Thai Rak Thai party.
The prospect of the billionaire -- who the Thai government sees as a criminal -- running a political campaign from across the border rattled investors, sending Thai stock prices tumbling nearly 3 percent on concern of more instability in Southeast Asia's second-biggest economy.
Royalists aligned with the military, who wear the king's traditional color of yellow, plan a demonstration of their own on Sunday in Bangkok to denounce Thaksin and Cambodia, threatening to deepen the political and diplomatic impasse.
"Political factors should add more risk to the market. If it keeps dragging on, things may become overwhelming," said Therdsak Taveetheeratham, an analyst with Asia Plus Securities, a stock brokerage in Bangkok.
Twice elected in landslides, Thaksin was ousted in a military coup in 2006 and later convicted of breaching conflict-of-interest laws and sentenced in absentia to two years in prison. He still commands a huge, loyal following in Thailand.
Thursday's meeting in a hotel lobby in Siem Reap marked the closest Thaksin has been to Thai soil while gathering with supporters who want to topple the Thai government. Some hoisted posters of Thaksin, and sang and cheered during the meeting. At least one wept, a Reuters photographer said.
His allies say he gave a voice to Thais who have missed out on decades of economic development. They are seeking a royal pardon and demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, who leads a shaky coalition.
His critics, largely the urban elite in Bangkok, say he ran roughshod over Thailand's system of parliamentary checks and balances in an increasingly dictatorial rule.
"FALSE PATRIOTISM"
Earlier Thaksin gave a speech to about 300 Cambodian business and government leaders in Phnom Penh, his first since Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen sparked a diplomatic row by offering Thaksin refuge and appointing him as adviser.
"I see a lot of synergy between your country and mine," said Thaksin, who had been living in self-imposed exile largely in Dubai before arriving in Phnom Penh on Tuesday. "Of course, not all my compatriots see it that way right now," he said.
"Their domestic political compulsions force them toward false patriotism." His comments drew robust applause.
Underscoring the friction between the neighbors, Cambodia expelled a senior Thai diplomat without explanation on Thursday, and Thailand reciprocated, according a spokeswoman at Thailand's Foreign Ministry.
The countries have already recalled their ambassadors. Thailand is also freezing several investment projects after Cambodia rebuffed Thailand's request to extradite Thaksin.
Abhisit told reporters the government would be careful in its retaliation in the dispute, which has also drawn attention to a border where Thai and Cambodian troops have clashed this year.
Hun Sen, who has long had good relations with Thaksin, has called his graft charges politically motivated. Abhisit is under pressure ahead of a Southeast Asian summit with U.S. President Barack Obama on Sunday in Singapore, the first-ever meeting between a U.S. leader and all 10 members of the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN).
Thailand chairs ASEAN this year. "We don't want this problem to affect ASEAN and we don't want to see it spreading to other places," he said.
($1=33.28 Baht)
(Additional reporting by Orathai Sriring; Writing by Jason Szep; Editing by Jeremy Laurence)
7 comments:
"The problem is caused by Cambodia and should be ended by Cambodia," said the Thai foreign minister. "Thailand has done nothing wrong but the matter is caused by the former premier Thaksin Shinawatra."
It should be the way around!
"The problem is caused by Thailand and should be ended by Thailand," said the Thai foreign minister. "Cambodian has done nothing wrong but the matter is caused by the Thai premier Abullshit (Preah Vihear)."
Halaluyah!
Abhisit is nothing , but trouble and as soon as he started open his mouth along with his greedy supporters about Preah Vihear.
You all follow these event from day one since Abullshit administration took office?
Here in order.
1-Abullshit object Hun Sen government to join ASEAN in 1997 or 98. And Abullshit lost.
2-Kasit want HUN SEN's blood to wash his feet. Then Kasit sorry.
This is a serious insulting matter toward HUN SEN. Now HUN SEN will make Abullshit feel more humiliate and sorry and ashame.
Abullshit will be removed from office soon. My prediction will be soon. And Monkey king Ahdulyadet will die soon too.
Pointing finger, cursing each other between Cambodian and Thai is not to anyone's interest. Since this a war between Hun Sen and Abhisit I suggest a debate between the two Prime ministers be conducted in a third neutral country and broadcast live on TV. That way the audience will be able to judge who is wrong and who is right and who is more educated. As Khmers tend to say that Hun Sen is smarter than Abhisit while the Thai believe Abhisit is smarter than Hun Sen. Let's prove via debate without the presence of the advisors.
If my rotten brain of stupidity is ironically working, while our beloved Mighty SenVarman arrogantly and foolishly fights with Highly educated Abhisit, our beloved long-timed traditional brotherhood Youn will successfully have more benefit!
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