The Associated Press
PHNOM PENH, Cambodia — Thailand and Cambodia said Tuesday they are sending their ambassadors back to each other's country in hopes of easing a nine-month diplomatic spat between the neighbours.
The step to normalizing ties came after Thailand's divisive former leader Thaksin Shinawatra quit his job as an adviser to the Cambodian government Monday, citing time constraints. Thaksin's acceptance of the post in November had fueled a diplomatic brouhaha.
Thai Ambassador to Cambodia Prasas Prasasvinitcha arrived in Phnom Penh on Tuesday evening but did not speak to reporters. Cambodia's envoy will return to Bangkok on Wednesday, the foreign ministry spokesman said.
Bangkok was angered Thaksin's Cambodia appointment because the deposed leader is a fugitive from justice. In 2008, a Thai court sentenced him in absentia to two years in prison for violating a conflict of interest law, but he fled into exile before the verdict. He was ousted by a 2006 military coup after being accused of corruption and abuse of power.
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen said Thaksin had been unfairly convicted for political reasons.
Thaksin supporters staged prolonged street protests in the Thai capital earlier this year, with related violence killing about 90 people with more than 1,400 wounded.
Both governments welcomed the resumption of ties.
"We are neighbours. The best way is to turn to each other and find a way to build up the atmosphere that fosters negotiations and lessens problems or conflicts," said Thai Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban.
Cambodian Foreign Ministry spokesman Koy Kuong said he expected "normalcy" to return to the neighbours' relations.
"Once diplomatic ties are restored that should ease our relations, but we can not say at the moment whether the present confrontation will be over," said Koy Kuong.
Cambodia's relations with Thailand have been contentious for years, with the focus most recently on a border dispute. Relations worsened since Abhisit, a political antagonist of Thaksin, became Thailand's prime minister in December 2008.
In recent years, the neighbours have had a series of small but sometimes deadly skirmishes over the demarcation of their border near the 11th century Preah Vihear temple.
Thaksin is living in self-imposed exile and is believed to spend most of his time in Dubai.
The step to normalizing ties came after Thailand's divisive former leader Thaksin Shinawatra quit his job as an adviser to the Cambodian government Monday, citing time constraints. Thaksin's acceptance of the post in November had fueled a diplomatic brouhaha.
Thai Ambassador to Cambodia Prasas Prasasvinitcha arrived in Phnom Penh on Tuesday evening but did not speak to reporters. Cambodia's envoy will return to Bangkok on Wednesday, the foreign ministry spokesman said.
Bangkok was angered Thaksin's Cambodia appointment because the deposed leader is a fugitive from justice. In 2008, a Thai court sentenced him in absentia to two years in prison for violating a conflict of interest law, but he fled into exile before the verdict. He was ousted by a 2006 military coup after being accused of corruption and abuse of power.
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen said Thaksin had been unfairly convicted for political reasons.
Thaksin supporters staged prolonged street protests in the Thai capital earlier this year, with related violence killing about 90 people with more than 1,400 wounded.
Both governments welcomed the resumption of ties.
"We are neighbours. The best way is to turn to each other and find a way to build up the atmosphere that fosters negotiations and lessens problems or conflicts," said Thai Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban.
Cambodian Foreign Ministry spokesman Koy Kuong said he expected "normalcy" to return to the neighbours' relations.
"Once diplomatic ties are restored that should ease our relations, but we can not say at the moment whether the present confrontation will be over," said Koy Kuong.
Cambodia's relations with Thailand have been contentious for years, with the focus most recently on a border dispute. Relations worsened since Abhisit, a political antagonist of Thaksin, became Thailand's prime minister in December 2008.
In recent years, the neighbours have had a series of small but sometimes deadly skirmishes over the demarcation of their border near the 11th century Preah Vihear temple.
Thaksin is living in self-imposed exile and is believed to spend most of his time in Dubai.
1 comment:
CAMBODIAN PEOPLE MUST KILL HUN SEN NOW BEFORE HE'S DESTROYING YOUR LOVELY COUNTRY. HE MUST GO. HE'S IN POWER TO LONG AND MAKE KHMER PEOPLE SUFFERING TOO MUCH. ANY KHMER MILLIONAIRE WHO LOVE YOUR COUNTRY MUST HIRE A SNIPER GET RID OF HUN SEN BEFORE HE MAKES CAMBODIAN NEXT GENERATION SUFFER AGAIN.
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