(Posted by CAAI News Media)
BANGKOK, Oct 27 (TNA) - Thailand's Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban said on Tuesday that he had clearly explained the correct information regarding the case of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, ousted in a September 2006 coup, to Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen.
Mr Suthep said he had met and discussed the matter with Mr Hun Sen, as assigned by Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, and the Cambodian premier now has a better understanding about Mr Thaksin’s case.
Ousted in a bloodless coup three years ago, Mr Thaksin was sentenced to a two-year prison term for abusing his power when he was prime minister to help his ex-wife purchase prime land in Bangkok’s Ratchadapisek Road. He now lives mainly in the United Arab Emirates. His Thai passport was cancelled but he obtained passports given by some foreign countries.
Mr Suthep said he told the Cambodian premier that it was too late for Mr Thaksin to complain that he has been treated unfairly as the coup was over long before he and his supporters accepted the post-coup Constitution and fielded candidates to run in the (2007) general election which led to the pro-Thaksin party's victory, but then two prime ministers were forced to leave office after being found guilty of violating the constitution.
"Mr Hun Sen understands what I said," said Mr Suthep “However I didn't mention the extradition and his home offer to Mr Thaksin, I went there only to give him better and correct understanding on the situation in Thailand."
The deputy premier said he had told the Cambodian leader that the Thai people want to live in peace with their neighbours, respecting the sovereignty of each other and not meddling in its neighbour's internal affairs and solve any dispute through peaceful means.
Mr Hun Sen also pledged that the recent verbal spat would not lead to border tension or military skirmishes, according to the Thai deputy prime minister.
Meanwhile, the People's Assembly of Thailand led by political activists Chaiwat Sinsuwong and retired Admiral Bannawit Kengrian gathered in front of the Cambodian Embassy to Thailand in Bangkok, reading a statement condemning what they branded as "improper behaviour" of both the Cambodian leader and ex-Thai premier Gen Chavalit Yongchaiyuth, which they accused them of damaging relationships between the two neighbouring countries.
At the same time, a group of protesters who called themselves Dhammayatra submitted an open letter accusing the Cambodian prime minister of distorting the facts regarding the dispute focusing on the overlapping area adjacent to the ancient Preah Vihear temple.
Security has been tightened at the Cambodian Embassy in Bangkok.
The Cambodian premier said again on his arrival at the ASEAN summit in the Thai resort towns of Cha-am and Hua Hin over the weekend that his government would allow Mr Thaksin, now in self-imposed exile, to take refuge in Cambodia and work as the his economic advisor and that Cambodia would not extradite him as asked by Thailand.
Mr Hun Sen's remark came as former Thai prime minister Gen Chavalit Yongchaiyuth, chairman of the opposition Puea Thai Party, visited Phnom Penh unofficially last week.
Thailand said it would seek Mr Thaksin’s extradition if it is known that he is staying in the neighbouring country. (TNA)
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