Tuesday, 20 May 2008

Mr. Thaksin Shinawatra Plans to Make Big Investments in Koh Kong

Posted on 20 May 2008.
The Mirror, Vol. 12, No. 561

“Phnom Penh: According to news published by Thai Rak Thai on 17 May 2008, the former Thai prime minister Mr. Thaksin Shinawatra plans to make big investments in the province of Koh Kong, Cambodia.

It should be noted that a few days ago, there were many newspapers in Thailand which published the news mentioned above. To make sure whether it is true or not, Thai Rak Thai and other journalists interviewed the Deputy Prime Minister and the Minister of Defense of Cambodia, Mr. Tea Banh, and he said that the news that the Thai newspapers had published, that the former Thai prime minister, Mr. Thaksin, plans to invest in Koh Kong is true, but it is still being studied. According to this investment plan, Mr. Thaksin is interested to establish casinos and other recreation sites with the guarantee to continue to operate them. Mr. Thaksin plans to invest approximately US$10 billion. [???]

“It should be stressed that, when Mr. Thaksin Shinawatra was the prime minister of the Kingdom of Thailand, he had wanted to run casinos and recreation sites in Thailand for a long time, but his plan was opposed by Thai officials. Thai Rak Thai reported that General Tea Banh had given an interview to journalists during the inauguration of the National Road 48 from Koh Kong to Srae Ambel, which had been presided over by Samdech Hun Sen and had also the attendance of the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Mr. Somchai Wongsawat, who is Mr. Thaksin’s brother-in-law.

“The same newspaper stated also that the fact that Mr. Thaksin plans to invest in Koh Kong, creating casinos and other recreation sites is not surprising, because when Mr. Thaksin first had returned to his country [after he had been overthrown by a military coup], he went to play golf with Samdech Dekchor Hun Sen in Siem Reap, and he had already discussed also this plan, because this colossal investment needs also the support from Samdech Dekchor Hun Sen, the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia.

“The Cambodian government strongly intends to convert Koh Kong into a special economic zone and to developed the area soon. Kampuchea Thmey tried to ask for a comment from General Tea Banh and from officials of the Council for the Development of Cambodia [CDC] but could not reach anybody.”

Kampuchea Thmey, Vol.7, #1644, 18-19.5.2008

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