Tit-for-tat expulsions as Cambodia's feud with Thailand simmers

Thailand's former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra,centre, poses for photographs with tourists yesterday at Angkor Wat in Cambodia, where he is to advise the government Photograph: Heng Sinith/AP

Diplomats sent packing in row over adviser's role for Thaksin

Adam Gabbatt and agencies in Phnom Penh
guardian.co.uk, Thursday 12 November 2009

(Posted by CAAI News Media)

Cambodia expelled the senior serving diplomat at the Thai embassy in Phnom Penh today and Thailand responded tit-for-tat in the simmering feud between the two countries.

Thai officials were angered by the announcement last week that Thaksin Shinawatra would advise the Cambodian government and prime minister.

The former Thai prime minister was sentenced in his absence to two years' jail last year after he allowed his wife to buy state land at a discount price. Thaksin was ousted as prime minister in 2006 in a military coup and has since been living in self-imposed exile.

He flew into Cambodia on Monday, prompting Thailand to request yesterday that he be arrested and returned to Thailand to serve his prison sentence. Cambodia rejected the request, saying Thailand's legal case against Thaksin was politically motivated.

Today Cambodian foreign ministry spokesman Koy Kuong said the first secretary of the Thai embassy had been given 48 hours to leave the country for carrying out activities inconsistent with his official duties. He refused to say what the activities were.

Thailand responded by ordering out the first secretary of Cambodia's mission in Bangkok, Kuong said.

After Thaksin's new role was announced on 5 November Thailand recalled its ambassador in Cambodia and said it would review all agreements between the two countries. Critics, including Thailand's current government, have portrayed Thaksin as a traitor for accepting the Cambodian appointment and attacked Cambodia for hosting a fugitive.

But in a speech today the former Manchester City football club owner insisted both countries would gain from his acumen. "A prosperous neighbour means better opportunities for us to grow together," he said. "Of course, not all my compatriots see it that way right now. Their domestic political compulsions force them to false patriotism. Let's pray that they too will one day appreciate this partnership for progress."

The two countries have skirmished over their border recently and as the conflict over Thaksin has escalated, Thailand has torn up an agreement over maritime boundaries. The row has heightened fears that the violent dispute over the Preah Vihear temple on the shared border could flare up again.

Thaksin won two landslide election victories before he was ousted in a military coup, and is still hugely popular in Thailand, particularly among the rural poor in the north. His supporters claim the political elite is ignoring the fact he was democratically elected because it feels its own privileges are threatened.

The former leader provided critics with more ammunition on Tuesday in a newspaper interview which allegedly criticised the Thai royal family. Thai officials are reportedly considering charging Thaksin with lèse-majesté – insulting the monarch or treason – a crime carrying a 15-year jail term in the kingdom.