Thailand recalls envoy to Phnom Penh in protest against Cambodia

BANGKOK, Nov 5 (TNA) - Thailand's Ministry of Foreign affairs on Thursday recalled the Thai envoy to Phnom Penh, in its first step of retaliation to Cambodia after it has appointed convicted former Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra as personal advisor to Cambodian Premier Hun Sen and advisor on economy to his government.

The Thai foreign ministry reasoned that the Cambodian decision to appoint Mr Thaksin and its stated intention to deny Thailand's request to extradite the ex-Thai premier to face jail in Thailand means that the neighbouring country could not differentiate the bilateral relations of the two nations from personal ties, although the Thai government has repeatedly informed the Cambodian government that the two kingdoms' relationship must remain beyond personal ties.

The Thai foreign ministry said the decision made by the Cambodian government affects the feelings of the Thai people, as Mr Thaksin has been convicted of offenses and escaped jail, at the same time, he still has influence over domestic politics.

Mr Thaksin’s appointment as economic advisor of the Cambodian government and as personal advisor to Mr Hun Sen means that Cambodia is now intervening Thailand's domestic affairs and harming the Thai justice procedure, according to the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The Thai government cannot continue inattentive to the matter and must listen to the voice and sentiments of Thai people nationwide, said the foreign ministry, adding that the government must show its stance to let Cambodia know of the dissatisfaction of the Thai people.

The ministry said that Thailand has decided to review the Thai-Cambodian relationship and recall its ambassador to Phnom Penh, and review all commitments and cooperation between the two kingdoms.

The Thai ministry said that the Thai government has no choice, but must review bilateral cooperation although Thailand has always intended to work closely with Cambodia for the well-being of the Cambodian people and reduce gap between Cambodians and other ASEAN citizens.

The ministry said Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva has been informed of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’s stance, simultaneously affirming that the Thai reaction is based on appropriate diplomatic measures, but is not aimed at igniting any violence.

The Thai prime minister later reaffirmed that Thailand will use only diplomatic measures as retaliation against Cambodia.

"Cambodia's decision affects the feelings of Thai people," Mr Abhisit reiterated. "The Thai foreign ministry must show Thailand's stance to let the Cambodian government know the feeling of the Thai people."

Mr Abhisit said checkpoints on border between the two countries would remain open and people-to-people relations would not be affected.

Tensions between Thailand and Cambodia heightened when Cambodian prime minister Hun Sen announced while attending the 15th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit in Hua Hin at the end of October that Mr Thaksin, whom he described as his close friend, could remain in Cambodia as his personal guest and could be his economic advisor.

Mr Hun Sen insisted that Cambodia will reserve its right to deny any request by Thailand to extradite ousted prime minister Thaksin if he stays there as Mr Thaksin case’s is only a political offense.

Mr Thaksin, ousted in a bloodless coup in September 2006, was later convicted and sentenced to a two-year jail term for malfeasance in the controversial Bangkok Ratchadapisek land purchase.

The ousted premier however jumped bail and fled the kingdom. He is reportedly living the United Arab Emirates, but his Thai passport was revoked and his visas to the United Kingdom and Germany were cancelled.