[Thai ambassador to Cambodia] Prasas ready for quiet life

Prasas: Phnom Penh turmoil

19/03/2011
Bangkok Post

Phnom Penh is Prasas Prasasvinitchai's first ambassadorial posting - and it has been a turbulent one.

His hectic schedule was highlighted by strained bilateral relations caused by a series of diplomatic events such as Cambodia's appointment of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra as the country's economic adviser, and rallies by the Santi Asoke and People's Alliance for Democracy over the border dispute around the Preah Vihear temple.

Less than a month after arriving at the Cambodian capital in October 2009, Mr Prasas was recalled to Bangkok in a protest by the government against Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen's appointment of Thaksin as economic adviser.

He spent more than nine months away from Phnom Penh.

Mr Prasas returned to the Cambodian capital again on Aug 24 last year, soon after Thaksin's resignation as an economic adviser.

Since his return to his post in Phnom Penh, he has had to work day and night amid growing tension back home over the territorial dispute.

The two nations have been at loggerheads over their rival claims to 4.6 square kilometres of land around the temple, which was unilaterally registered as a World Heritage site in 2008 by Phnom Penh.

There were only few brief occasions that the Thai embassy under Mr Prasas's guidance could enjoy peaceful moments, such as celebrations marking the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the countries in October 2010.

Just weeks later, the Department of Special Investigation claimed the red shirts had undergone weapons training in Cambodia. Phnom Penh angrily denied it.

Mr Prasas had to calm what could have touched off another diplomatic row.

Then, just three days before the New Year, seven Thais including Democrat Party MP Panich Vikitsreth were arrested for trespassing on Cambodian territory.

Five of the seven have now returned home, leaving only Veera Somkwamkid, the coordinator of the Thai Patriots Network, and Ratree Pipatanapaiboon, Veera's secretary, in jail.

The two are behind bars and seeking a royal pardon.

Clashes between Thai and Cambodia troops in February prompted the United Nations and Asean to intervene.

Mr Prasas paid a courtesy call on Cambodian Foreign Minister Hor Nam Hong on the occasion of his departure from the ambassadorial post.

He will return to Bangkok on March 31 while his successor-designate Sompong Sanguanbun, now ambassador attached to the ministry and former consul-general to Ho Chi Minh City, will travel to Phnom Penh on April 11.

Mr Prasas might be summoned by the Foreign Ministry to observe the Jakarta-brokered General Border Committee and Joint Boundary Commission meetings between Thailand and Cambodia to be held in Bogor between April 7-8.

The decision on whether he should observe the meeting is up to Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya.

He is now preparing himself to assume the role of ambassador to the Philippines, as endorsed by the government last month.