Saturday, 14 November 2009

Former Thai PM Thaksin leaves Cambodia after controversial visit+


(Posted by CAAI News Media)

PHNOM PENH, Nov. 14 (AP) - (Kyodo)—Fugitive former Thai Premier Thaksin Shinawatra left Cambodia on Saturday morning after making a surprise visit to the country following his appointment as an economic adviser to Prime Minister Hun Sen and his government, a move that drew strong protests from Bangkok.

On the eve of his departure Thaksin hosted a dinner for about 150 supporters including some 50 Thai lawmakers at a hotel in Siem Reap Province.

Hun Sen was also invited to attend the dinner. He said at the event that it is important that Thaksin be able to return to Thailand but that it "would depend on the Thai people."

Hun Sen also requested those present to convey a message to Thailand that Thaksin be allowed to return and that "you have a good neighbor, that is Cambodia, and that includes Hun Sen."

Speaking at the same event, Thaskin said his appointment is an "honor and pleasure" and that he is waiting to return to Thailand.

"Now, I'm trying my best to help Cambodia to achieve economic development. We have to build a prosperous economy for both Cambodia and Thailand, and that will correspond to Hun Sen's win-win policy," he said.

Since Thaksin's appointment and subsequent arrival in Phnom Penh on Tuesday, diplomatic ties between Cambodia and Thailand have been downgraded, with both countries having recalled their ambassadors, followed by tit-for-tat expulsions of first secretaries Thursday.

Thailand considers Thaksin a fugitive from justice.

He was convicted of conflict of interest over land dealings undertaken before he was overthrown by the military in 2006.

Cambodia argues Thaksin's conviction was politically motivated and therefore the extradition treaty between the two does not apply.

Thaksin arrived in Cambodia on Tuesday and participated in various diplomatic, economic and other events. He also had dinner and played golf with Hun Sen and toured Angkor Wat Temple in the country's northern province of Siem Reap.

Thaksin is believed to have left for an Asian country.

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