Govt sets conditions for resumption of full relations

Published: 15/12/2009

(Posted by CAAI News Media)

The Cambodian government has to meet three conditions before the the Thai government will send its ambassador back to Phnom Penh, government spokesman Panithan Wattanayakorn said on Tuesday.

He said the release of pardoned spy Sivarak Chutipong was the first step toward restoring diplomatic relations.

However, ambassador Prasas Prasasvinitchai would return to Phnom Penh only if Cambodia rectified its stated opinion about Thailand's justice system, and its politics, and dismissed former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra from the position of economic eo the Cambodian government.

"The government may send a first secretary back to the Thai embassy in Phnom Penh back if Cambodia wishes to improve bilateral ties, but I cannot confirm that it would be the same person," the government spokesman said.

Last month, Kamrob Palawatwichai, the first secretary of the Thai embassy in Cambodia, was expelled by Cambodia for his involvement in obtaining Thaksin's flight plan.

Mr Panithan also said that Mr Kamrob had tried to contact Mr Sivarak on his arrival back in Thailand.

Mr Sivarak, who was convicted of spying on ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra but later pardoned by the Cambodian king, demanded on Monday that Mr Kamrob "tell the truth".

He said Mr Kamrob had made a phone call to him and asked about a VIP plane's flight information and if Thaksin was on board the plane.

He demanded that Mr Kamrob speak out and restore his damaged reputation by confirming he was not involved in any government attempt to get Thaksin's flight details.

Mr Kamrob has not spoken to the media since.

Mr Panithan said Mr Kamrob tried to contact Mr Sivarak after he landed in back in Bangkok on Monday, but said he was not sure whether the two had talked.

He added that Mr Kamrob would clarify the matter in the next day or two.

"The reason why he does not clarify the issue now is because his superiors are concerned that he is not a good public speaker," he said.

Mr Sivarak's mother, Simarak na Nakhon Phanom, denounced Democrat Party spokesman Buranat Samutrak for saying the release of her son was staged and in the interests of a certain group of people.

"My son has suffered much already. Please don't hurt him more," Mrs Simarak said. "The person who thinks that this was staged, I believe, can also make up stories well."

The stressed mother also called on the media to stop referring to Mr Sivarak's father, who it was claimed was close to Thaksin, because he had passed away a long time ago.

"My son and I do not know Thaksin," she said.

She and her son forgave Kamrob Palawatwichai even though he was the one who called her son and got him arrested in the end.

"I agree with Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva that everything should end here, but I wonder how would Mr Kamrob feel if he was in prison for just a day," she said.

She said she would like to thank Thaksin for his assistance and the people for their support.

Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban said on Tuesday that he would make no further comment on the case involving Mr Sivarak.

This matter should be put to end, he said, adding that the public understand what happened.

He earlier said the incident was a conspiracy by Puea Thai and Thaksin to discredit the government and boost the popularity of the convicted former prime minister, who arrived in Cambodia on Sunday to arrange for Mr Sivarak's release.

When asked about the government's efforts to extradite Thaksin now that he is back in Cambodia, Mr Suthep said that was the responsibility of the Foreign Ministry.

On Tuesday, Thaksin addressed Cambodian ministers in his advisory role on how to develop their economy during the global recession.

Foreign language media were locked out of Thaksin's meeting at the Council for the Development of Cambodia, but local reporters said he spoke to between 20 and 30 senior Cambodian ministers and their deputies.

He talked about how to develop the impoverished nation's economy during the worldwide financial crisis and discussed agricultural reform, the reporters added.