By Suy Se (AFP)
PHNOM PENH — Cambodia said Monday that Thailand's fugitive former premier Thaksin Shinawatra had resigned as its economics adviser, clearing the way for a thaw in relations between the nations.
Phnom Penh said Thaksin, who was ousted in a 2006 coup and lives in self-imposed exile to avoid a jail term for corruption, had stepped down "because of personal difficulties in fulfilling his role completely".
"The Cambodian government accepts the request by His Excellency Thaksin Shinawatra with thanks to the contributions that he has made to the Cambodian economy," a statement said.
Thaksin remains an influential and controversial figure on Thailand's turbulent political scene, galvanising his "Red Shirt" supporters earlier this year to join mass protests against the current government.
The two countries recalled their respective ambassadors in November last year after Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen riled Thailand by appointing the telecoms tycoon-turned-premier.
Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva indicated Monday that they could reinstate the diplomats in light of Thaksin's departure, describing it as a "good sign."
"If relations return to normal, it is good for both countries to have ambassadors," he told reporters.
Ties between the two countries have been strained since July 2008 by a series of deadly border clashes over land surrounding an 11th century Cambodian temple after it was granted UN World Heritage status.
Cambodian government spokesman Khieu Kanharith said the resignation was not related to the Cambodia-Thai border dispute, saying the former premier had resigned because he was "busy with a lot of work".
"This is not a compromise," he told AFP, after Thaksin's departure was formalised by a royal decree issued by Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni.
Twice-elected Thaksin fled Thailand in 2008 before he was sentenced in absentia to two years in jail.
Thai courts have issued a series of warrants for the ex-premier for charges including terrorism -- an accusation linked to the Red Shirt protests.
The mass demonstrations in Bangkok descended into several bouts of bloodshed in April and May that left 91 people dead -- mostly civilians -- and some 1,900 injured, in a series of clashes between armed troops and protesters.
The Red Shirts, largely from Thailand's impoverished north and northeast, love Thaksin for his populist policies, and accuse Abhisit's government of being an unelected elite.
The tycoon's opponents in the Bangkok-based circles around the palace, military and bureaucracy accuse Thaksin of being corrupt, dictatorial and a threat to Thailand's widely revered monarchy.
Phnom Penh said Thaksin, who was ousted in a 2006 coup and lives in self-imposed exile to avoid a jail term for corruption, had stepped down "because of personal difficulties in fulfilling his role completely".
"The Cambodian government accepts the request by His Excellency Thaksin Shinawatra with thanks to the contributions that he has made to the Cambodian economy," a statement said.
Thaksin remains an influential and controversial figure on Thailand's turbulent political scene, galvanising his "Red Shirt" supporters earlier this year to join mass protests against the current government.
The two countries recalled their respective ambassadors in November last year after Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen riled Thailand by appointing the telecoms tycoon-turned-premier.
Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva indicated Monday that they could reinstate the diplomats in light of Thaksin's departure, describing it as a "good sign."
"If relations return to normal, it is good for both countries to have ambassadors," he told reporters.
Ties between the two countries have been strained since July 2008 by a series of deadly border clashes over land surrounding an 11th century Cambodian temple after it was granted UN World Heritage status.
Cambodian government spokesman Khieu Kanharith said the resignation was not related to the Cambodia-Thai border dispute, saying the former premier had resigned because he was "busy with a lot of work".
"This is not a compromise," he told AFP, after Thaksin's departure was formalised by a royal decree issued by Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni.
Twice-elected Thaksin fled Thailand in 2008 before he was sentenced in absentia to two years in jail.
Thai courts have issued a series of warrants for the ex-premier for charges including terrorism -- an accusation linked to the Red Shirt protests.
The mass demonstrations in Bangkok descended into several bouts of bloodshed in April and May that left 91 people dead -- mostly civilians -- and some 1,900 injured, in a series of clashes between armed troops and protesters.
The Red Shirts, largely from Thailand's impoverished north and northeast, love Thaksin for his populist policies, and accuse Abhisit's government of being an unelected elite.
The tycoon's opponents in the Bangkok-based circles around the palace, military and bureaucracy accuse Thaksin of being corrupt, dictatorial and a threat to Thailand's widely revered monarchy.
3 comments:
Why ah Kwack did that to get soldiers killed?????
HUn SEn afraid of Thai what he conspired with the Thai politic now he woke up but for Thai still the good score to get back with CAMBODIA
This son of bitch was never an economic advisor to Ah Jchuot Sen.
Also, this son of bitch thought that we bought into his fucking child play.
Sure, also, next time when Mr. Thaksin becomes the PM of Thailand, he'll send his F-16 to bomb the shit out of Ah Sen's bunkers.
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