Thai Deputy PM believes Thai-Cambodian ties will improve

Mr Suthep also said Thailand resumes loans for Cambodia for road construction without any conditions attached.

BANGKOK, Aug 26 (MCOT online news) - Thailand's Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban said on Thursday he believed bilateral relations between Thailand and Cambodia will gradually improve after the reinstatement of the two countries’ ambassadors.

Regarding possible bilateral talks between leaders of the two countries, he said the matter from now on rests with the leaders of both countries pending appropriate times and venues.

Cambodian ambassador You Aye returned to Bangkok on Wednesday, one day after Thai envoy Prasas Prasasvinitchai arrived in Phnom Penh to resume his posting.

The Thai government recalled its ambassador to Phnom Penh last November in protest against Cambodia's appointment of fugitive ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra as its economic adviser. Cambodia retaliated by recalling its ambassador.

The Cambodian government on Monday announced that Mr Thaksin had resigned from his post. The Thai government then decided to send its ambassador back to Cambodia.

Regarding the three Thai villagers detained in Cambodia's Siem Riep province for over a week, the deputy prime minister said efforts have been made through negotiations at many levels to help secure them. He pledged the government would continue working to bring them home.

Meanwhile, Papob Korthai, an assistant district chief in the northeastern province of Surin led relatives of Thai villagers detained in Cambodia to visit them at the prison.

They crossed the border in Sa Kaeo province's Aranyaprathet to visit the trio. Cambodian officials provided a van to pick them up at the border.

A Thai official said the trip was to bring relatives to visit the detainees as Cambodia has not yet released them, but pending release, they will return home with the team.

The detainees are Sanong Wongcharoen, Lim Puangpet, and Lan Sapsri, arrested while collecting forest products along the Thai-Cambodian border in Thailand's northeastern province of Surin.

In a related matter, Mr Suthep also said Thailand resumes loans for Cambodia for road construction without any conditions attached.

It is Thailand's policy of peaceful coexistence to provide support to develop people’s livelihood in neighbouring countries, he said.

Cambodia Cancels Thai Loans as Thaksin Dispute Festers

Cambodian PM Hun Sen, left, talks with supporters as ousted Thai PM Thaksin Shinawatra looks on in Siem Reap, Cambodia, 13 Nov 2009 (Photo: AP)

Relations between Bangkok and Phnom Penh sunk to their lowest ebb in recent years after Cambodian PM Hun Sen recently offered, former Thai leader Thaksin Shinawatra a home and a job as an economics adviser

Siem Reap 02 December 2009
Luke Hunt
VOA

Cambodia will cancel all loan agreements with Thailand as a diplomatic crisis between the two countries spreads into economic development. The dispute could delay a railway through Southeast Asia.

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen says all loans from Thailand will be canceled. His transportation department will annul a $40 million loan from Bangkok for road repairs.

This week he ordered provincial authorities to cancel all loans and suggested student scholarships from Thailand should be scrapped. Mr. Hun Sen says Cambodians are prepared to die for the country but would not be looked down upon by Thais.

The orders came as speculation rises that the rift between Phnom Penh and Bangkok threatens the completion of the Trans-Asian railway.

At risk is a six-kilometer track needed to connect the Cambodia side of the border within Thailand. It is crucial to a 5,300-kilometer railroad that will run from China to Singapore.

The State Railway of Thailand and sources close to the Cambodian leadership say negotiations about the link are on hold due to the diplomatic tensions.

Paul Power, a railway engineer and an advisor to the Cambodian government, says any decision to scrap the rail link has significant regional implications.

"Well this is a very important link in the rail network from Bangkok to Kunming," he said. "If that link is not constructed, I think it calls into question the viability of the track from Phnom Penh to Ho Chi Minh City. So it's very important that the link be built."

The route passes from China's Kunming down through Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand and Malaysia, to Singapore. Spur lines will connect to Laos. The railway uses both new and abandoned routes that need to be rehabilitated.

Australia's Toll Holdings has the contract to reconstruct old French lines from the Thai border to Phnom Penh and then south to Cambodia's port at Sihanoukville.

China Railway Group is doing a feasibility study on building a new line linking Phnom Penh with Vietnam.

Relations between the Bangkok and Phnom Penh sunk to their lowest ebb in recent years after Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen recently offered his friend, former Thai leader Thaksin Shinawatra a home and a job as an economics adviser.

Cambodia also rejected a Thai extradition request for the former prime minister, who fled his country last year to avoid a two-year jail term for corruption.

The dispute has already resulted in the cancellation of agreements on oil reserves in the Gulf of Siam. Both countries have withdrawn their ambassadors.

Thai PM: I'm working for national interest

BANGKOK, Dec1 (TNA) - Following the latest verbal attack by Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen on Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, the premier on Tuesday reaffirmed that his government is working for the Thai national interest, while asserting that his government has not revoked aid projects with Cambodia.

Mr Hun Sen was quoted by foreign media as saying that Cambodia will "have no happiness" as long as Mr Abhisit and Thai Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya are still in power, and that "Abhisit is the PM who is hardest to work with."

Hun Sen said he informed Abhisit that Cambodia was cancelling an agreement under which Bangkok would make a 1.4-billion-baht (41.2-million-dollar) loan to upgrade a highway from the Thai border, and would review other Thai loans.

Acting Thai government spokesman Panitan Wattanyakorn disclosed that Mr Hun Sen has asked the Thai government about the cancellation of the 1.4-billion-baht (US$41.2 million) loan to upgrade a highway from the Thai border and Prime Minister Abhisit already reaffirmed that his Cabinet has not revoked the joint project. An official letter regarding the issue will be sent to Cambodia Tuesday.

Mr Abhisit however said regarding Hun Sen's remark that he has no need to clarify the matter with his Cambodian counterpart as his working approaches concern the benefit of the Thai people, while maintaining amicable relationships with Cambodia and will avoid any adverse impact on Cambodia.

"Despite Thailand is being accused, I am still solving the problem based on national interest," Mr Abhisit said, "It is a pity that Phnom Penh has received incorrect information such as hearsay about border closures or aid projects cancellation which is totally groundless."

"The Cambodians should be informed that any cancellation of the aid projects is unilaterally made by their leader, not the Thai government," Mr Abhisit said.

When asked how the problem will end, as the Cambodian leader is still "playing politics" abroad, Mr Abhisit told reporters that Thailand will not play with Cambodia, but will take care of relations and trades to allow cooperation to proceed.

"If Mr Hun Sen refuses to receive any aid or cooperation from Thailand, the decision is made by him, no matter by whom he is being advised," the Thai prime minister said.

The diplomatic row between Thailand and Cambodia flared up after Phnom Penh appointed fugitive ousted Thai premier Thaksin Shinawatra as its economic adviser and refused to extradite him as requested by the Thai government.

The ambassadors of the two countries were recalled, and a Thai engineer was detained in a Cambodian prison on charges of espionage after he was discovered releasing Mr Thaksin's flight schedule.

Abhisit brushes off Hun Sen comments

1/12/2009
Bangkok Post

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva has feigned indifference to Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen's clear animosity to his remaining in office.

Mr Abhisit said he was not aware of reports that Mr Hun Sen was not happy with him and Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya, and that the Cambodian government would not ask for their assistance.

"I believe the problem has arisen because someone could be trying to instigate a situation," the prime minister said.

Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban, who is in charge of security affairs, said the Thai-Cambodia situation had improved to some extent, but the government had to be strong and calm after being criticised by Prime Minister Hun Sen.

The government had to be very cautious about its ties with neighbouring countries, Mr Suthep said.

"Don't get stuck on Prime Minister Hun Sen's words. The government has been doing well so far and the problem will not spread to include other Asean member states," he said.

He repeated that the frontier with Cambodia will not be closed because the government cares about the people living along the border.

The decision to allow Cambodia to borrow 1.4 billion baht to build roads along the border will also not be affected, Mr Suthep said.

Government spokesman Panitan Wattanayagorn said the government is still willing to cooperate with the Cambodian government in various projects and prefers a peaceful approach to settling any differences.

"But it will take time to restore Thai-Cambodian relations," he said.

Asked about Prime Minister Hun Sen's comment that Cambodia would see no happiness as long as Mr Abhisit and Mr Kasit remain in office, Mr Panitan said the ties between Thailand and Cambodia were about ensuring the best interests of the two countries, not just the interests of one person.

"I believe people from the two countries have a good understanding of the situation," he said.

Hun Sen slams Abhisit, Kasit again

1/12/2009
Bangkok Post

Phnom Penh - Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen criticised Thailand's leaders on Monday, saying they had insulted his country after Phnom Penh refused to extradite fugitive former Thai premier Thaksin Shinawatra.

Mr Hun Sen said that his country would "have no happiness" while Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and his foreign Minister Kasit Piromya were still in power.

"I'm not the enemy of the Thai people... But the prime minister and the foreign minister, these two people look down on Cambodia extremely," Mr Hun Sen said in a speech at a provincial ceremony.

"Cambodia will have no happiness as long as this group is in power in Thailand," he added.

The two countries have fought clashes near a temple on their disputed border since last year and were embroiled in a row this month when Thaksin visited Cambodia in his new role as an economic adviser to Phnom Penh.

Mr Hun Sen said he would not extradite Thaksin, who was toppled in a coup in 2006 and is living abroad to avoid a jail term for corruption, because his conviction was politically motivated.

The two countries withdrew their respective ambassadors and Thailand halted a series of aid programmes to Cambodia. The Cambodian leader slammed a further Thai threat to close the border between the two countries, saying: "If you are (an) idiot, if you want the loss, please do it."

Hun Sen blasts Thai leaders

Mr Hun Sen (left) said that his country would 'have no happiness' while Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and his foreign Minister Kasit Piromya were still in power. -- PHOTO: AP

Nov 30, 2009
AFP

PHNOM PENH - CAMBODIAN Prime Minister Hun Sen criticised Thailand's leaders on Monday, saying they had insulted his country after Phnom Penh refused to extradite fugitive former Thai premier Thaksin Shinawatra.

Mr Hun Sen said that his country would 'have no happiness' while Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and his foreign Minister Kasit Piromya were still in power.

'I'm not the enemy of the Thai people... But the prime minister and the foreign minister, these two people look down on Cambodia extremely,' Mr Hun Sen said in a speech at a provincial ceremony. 'Cambodia will have no happiness as long as this group is in power in Thailand,' he added.

The two countries have fought clashes near a temple on their disputed border since last year and were embroiled in a row this month when Thaksin visited Cambodia in his new role as an economic adviser to Phnom Penh.

Mr Hun Sen said he would not extradite Thaksin, who was toppled in a coup in 2006 and is living abroad to avoid a jail term for corruption, because his conviction was politically motivated.

The two countries withdrew their respective ambassadors and Thailand halted a series of aid programmes to Cambodia. The Cambodian leader slammed a further Thai threat to close the border between the two countries, saying: 'If you are (an) idiot, if you want the loss, please do it.'

Abhisit is the most difficult Thai PM : Hun Sen

Mon, November 30, 2009
By Rasmei Kampuchea
Asia News Network

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen on Monday described Thai PM Abhisit Vejjajiva as the most difficult Thai premier he has worked with. The mutual ties which has been sour for months would be normalised only if Thailand has a new government, Hun Sen told reporters in Phnom Penh.

He claimed that Abhisit phoned him during the weekend after Phnom Penh government sent a note to inform Bangkok last week that it decided to cancel its request to receive a loan of US$41 million for a road construction from a Thai border province.

"Abhisit called me, for the first time, on the weekend, asking me to withdraw the note. He said Thailand is still willing to give the loans to Cambodia," Hun Sen said.

Abhisit was informed that Cambodia needed an official letter from him. The Thai premier agreed but later failed to sign and send the letter by 10am as promised on Saturday.

"Abhisit as the most difficult person to work with among the Thai PMs I have worked with," Hun Sen said.

Hun Sen further criticised Abhisit government for looking down on Cambodia by threatening to withdraw its aids for Cambodia following fugitive ex-PM Thaksin Shinawatra's visit to Phnom Penh in early November.

Hun Sen told reporters that from now on Cambodia would not accept any aid from Thailand.

"We decided to stop receiving any aid and assistance from Thailand. Cambodia can not allow itself to be humiliated," said Prime Minister Hun Sen.

He referred what he called threats by Thailand to withdraw its aids to Cambodia in a diplomatic spat between the two neighboring countries.

Thai Cabinet To Review THB1.4 Billion Loans To Cambodia Next Week

Nov 12, 2009

BANGKOK -(Dow Jones)- The Thai Cabinet will review THB1.4 billion ($42 million) in planned loans to Cambodia at its weekly meeting next week, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said Friday.

The meeting on Tuesday will review two road construction projects with Cambodia, which involved loans to Phnom Penh, he told reporters.

However, Abhisit said the diplomatic dispute with Cambodia--triggered after the country appointed ousted Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra as an economic adviser--will not reach the point where Thailand will shut off its border with its neighbor.

Thailand has already put all talks and cooperation programs with Cambodia on hold and tore up an oil and gas exploration deal signed during Thaksin's time in power.

Bangkok to review loans for Cambodia's road projects

Thu, November 12, 2009
By Piyanart Srivalo
The Nation

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva on Thursday ordered an review of two road construction projects with Cambodia which involved loans of more than Bt1.4 bn to Phnom Penh.

The review is a further move of his government to protest Cambodia's appointment of convicted ex-Thai PM Thaksin Shinawatra as economic adviser to Khmer PM Hun Sen and his government.

Deputy Finance Minister Pruetichai Damrongrat told reporters that the No 68 road will link Chong Chom checkpoint in Surin province to Cambodia.

Meanwhile Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban said that the cabinet will not consider an financial assistance of Bt31 million to Cambodia in its meeting next week.

The proposal is put on hold as a measure of Thailand to protest Cambodia.

In a separate interview, Abhisit said he was considering further measures against Cambodia, but vowed that his government would not seal off checkpoints on the border and said that the rift with Phnom Pen would not lead to violence.

"I don't want the situation going out of control," he said.

Abhisit will bring in more debt for future generations of Cambodians

PM to visit Cambodia Friday

11/06/2009
BangkokPost.com

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva will make an official visit to Cambodia on Friday for bilateral talks, including discussions on the continuing border dispute near Preah Vihear temple and the sea border in the Gulf of Thailand.

It will be hisd first trip to Cambodia since taking office in December.

Mr Abhisit said on Thursday he had to cancel his planned visit to Cambodia on April 18 because of the anti-government riots in Bangkok.

He will meet Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen to discuss expansion of bilateral cooperation, such as the construction of roads connecting the two countries, the development of water resources, electricity sales and tourism promotion.

Thailand will offer low-interest loans to Cambodia, and will return seven Khmer artifacts smuggled into Thailand by thieves about 10 years ago and later seized by police, he said.

Mr Abhisit said he will also meet Thai businessmen in Phnom Penh to discuss their problems and try and help them if possible.