Abhisit: Thaksin's nearby

via Khmer NZ

Published: 26/08/2010

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said on Thursday fugitive former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra's resignation as an economic adviser to the Cambodian government would pave way for Thailand and Cambodia to resolve their dispute easier, and hinted that the ousted premier might not be far away.

"Thaksin has not gone anywhere. He's around here in this region," Mr Abhisit told reporters who asked him about Thaksin, who has been quiet for about a month.

Asked if Thaksin might be in Brunei, the prime minister said that he did not have the details.

Mr Abhisit said Thaksin's resignation as Cambodia's economic adviser did not mean that he would stop conducting activities in Thailand.

"The government is now trying to restore Thai-Cambodian ties and to work out the issues between the two countries, such as the border row around Preah Vihear temple.

"Without Thaksin in the way, the problems should be easier to solve," he said.