Ousted Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, left, addresses Cambodian economists as Cambodian Minister of Economy and Finance Keat Chhon, right, looks on during a meetng Thursday, Nov. 12, 2009, in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. Thaksin is in Cambodia after being named an economic adviser by Cambodian Prime Minster Hun Sen. (AP Photo/Khem Sovannara)Thu, 12 Nov 2009
DPA
Phnom Penh - Thailand's fugitive former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra said at a seminar in Phnom Penh Thursday that his domestic political opponents are suffering from "false patriotism" in their disagreements with Cambodia. Addressing a mix of 250 government officials and businesspeople at the Ministry of Economy and Finance, Thaksin said a more prosperous Cambodia would mean opportunities for Thailand as well.
"A prosperous neighbour means better opportunities for us to grow together," he said, but added: "Of course, not all my compatriots see it that way right now."
"I do not believe those who do not share our vision now are myopic," he said. "Their domestic political compulsions force them to false patriotism. Let's pray that they too will one day appreciate this partnership for progress."
Thaksin was addressing the seminar in his capacity as economic adviser to the Cambodian government, an appointment that has riled Bangkok and led relations between the two kingdoms to their lowest point in years.
Both countries' ambassadors were recalled last week, and relations could yet worsen. The Bangkok Post newspaper reported that more than 100 lawmakers from the pro-Thaksin Puea Thai party plan to meet him in Phnom Penh Friday.
The newspaper quoted Puea Thai lawmaker Surapong Towichakchaikul as saying the visit was to show Thaksin their support.
Cambodian Foreign Affairs spokesman Koy Koung said the ministry had no official knowledge of the visit and was looking into the report's veracity.
However, Koy Koung said if news of the visit were true, it should not be seen as Thaksin engaging in politics on Cambodian soil. Phnom Penh has repeatedly stated that Thaksin would stay away from politicking since it would conflict with Cambodia's constitution.
"If they really come, I think it's just a private courtesy call," Koy Koung said. "I guarantee that Thaksin has come to Phnom Penh just as an economic adviser. Not [for] politics. Not [for] anything else."
He said Phnom Penh was "absolutely not" concerned whether Bangkok read the situation differently.
"It's up to the Thai side because the Cambodian side has reiterated that the Thaksin role is an economic matter," he said.
Thaksin, who was prime minister from 2001 to 2006 before being toppled in a bloodless coup, faces a two-year jail sentence in Thailand for abuse of power. He has been living in self-imposed exile, mostly in Dubai, since August 2008.
On Wednesday Cambodia formally rejected an extradition request from the Thai government for Thaksin, describing the former premier's conviction in a Thai court as politically motivated.
Thaksin was overthrown after he lost the backing of Thailand's Bangkok-based middle class and political elite. He remains popular with the poor because of his populist economic policies.
"A prosperous neighbour means better opportunities for us to grow together," he said, but added: "Of course, not all my compatriots see it that way right now."
"I do not believe those who do not share our vision now are myopic," he said. "Their domestic political compulsions force them to false patriotism. Let's pray that they too will one day appreciate this partnership for progress."
Thaksin was addressing the seminar in his capacity as economic adviser to the Cambodian government, an appointment that has riled Bangkok and led relations between the two kingdoms to their lowest point in years.
Both countries' ambassadors were recalled last week, and relations could yet worsen. The Bangkok Post newspaper reported that more than 100 lawmakers from the pro-Thaksin Puea Thai party plan to meet him in Phnom Penh Friday.
The newspaper quoted Puea Thai lawmaker Surapong Towichakchaikul as saying the visit was to show Thaksin their support.
Cambodian Foreign Affairs spokesman Koy Koung said the ministry had no official knowledge of the visit and was looking into the report's veracity.
However, Koy Koung said if news of the visit were true, it should not be seen as Thaksin engaging in politics on Cambodian soil. Phnom Penh has repeatedly stated that Thaksin would stay away from politicking since it would conflict with Cambodia's constitution.
"If they really come, I think it's just a private courtesy call," Koy Koung said. "I guarantee that Thaksin has come to Phnom Penh just as an economic adviser. Not [for] politics. Not [for] anything else."
He said Phnom Penh was "absolutely not" concerned whether Bangkok read the situation differently.
"It's up to the Thai side because the Cambodian side has reiterated that the Thaksin role is an economic matter," he said.
Thaksin, who was prime minister from 2001 to 2006 before being toppled in a bloodless coup, faces a two-year jail sentence in Thailand for abuse of power. He has been living in self-imposed exile, mostly in Dubai, since August 2008.
On Wednesday Cambodia formally rejected an extradition request from the Thai government for Thaksin, describing the former premier's conviction in a Thai court as politically motivated.
Thaksin was overthrown after he lost the backing of Thailand's Bangkok-based middle class and political elite. He remains popular with the poor because of his populist economic policies.
5 comments:
I believe that even 100 more of Thaksin, Cambodian economy is still the same. The simple reason for my argument is that Cambodian government ministers will not learn anything in which will benefit to the country at all. They will not need lecturers if they want to corrupt and stealing public moneys. Theefore there is no use to employ Thaksin at all.
We saw Hun Sen government has condoemned World watch for telling him about his family destruction of Cambodian forests. He has condemned Professor Yas Ghai for telling the world that Cambodian justice system was not good. This Cambodian government is only willing to learn how to get free moneys.
Areak Prey
Lok Areak Prey,
Very good comment.
Ly Diep
A seminar on ECONOMY ?
.......................................
Khmer saying :
" It's pouring the water on the head of duck "
As lauk Areak Prey said that Cambodian government is only willing to learn how to get free moneys.
Thanks for your good comments !!!!!
Cheers,
Ung Bun Heang
Should forward this cartoon to CTN.
Mr.Thaksin is not an economist nor is he an expert in world's economic issues. He's definitely the wrong person to be appointed as an economic adviser to current cambodia government. His speech on economics given to the 300 combodian economic enthusiasts isn't practical in the real world, especially in cambodia. Economic theory does not equate to practicallity. No one can solve economic crisis of a country by listening to a lectureer. mr. hun sen is out of his mind to think that mr. thaksin can solve economic problems.
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