Cambodia and Thailand clash at summit over Thaksin

[PeteC]

HUA HIN, Thailand (AFP) – Cambodia and Thailand traded barbs at an Asian summit Friday after Cambodia's prime minister offered fugitive former Thai leader Thaksin Shinawatra a safe haven and job as an adviser.

Hun Sen, the outspoken Cambodian premier, further riled the hosts of the annual meeting by comparing the plight of the ousted Thaksin to that of detained Myanmar democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi.

Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva hit back by accusing Hun Sen of being a "pawn" and urging him to work for unity between the two countries, which have had a series of deadly border skirmishes in the past year.

"Thaksin can stay in Cambodia as a guest of Cambodia. He can also be my adviser on the economy," Hun Sen said as he arrived in the beach resort of Hua Hin for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit.

The Cambodian leader repeated an earlier invitation to Thaksin to stay in Cambodia and rejected Thai claims that Phnom Penh would have to extradite the tycoon.

Thaksin was toppled in a 2006 coup and fled Thailand last year to avoid a jail term for corruption.

"Our concern is for humanitarian reasons, it is friends helping friends. The internal affairs of Thailand would be left for Thai people to resolve, I am not interfering," said Hun Sen.

"Millions of Thai people, the Red Shirts, support Thaksin. Why as a friend can't I support Thaksin? Without the 2006 coup these things would not have happened."

Hun Sen, a former Khmer Rouge commander known for his provocative remarks, added: "Many people talk about Aung San Suu Kyi in Myanmar, why not talk about Thaksin? That cannot be referred to as interfering."

Abhisit rebuked his guest, telling reporters there was no comparison with the Myanmar opposition leader, whose house arrest was extended by 18 months in August to a chorus of international outrage.

"I am concerned that he is seriously misinformed. I think there is clearly a misunderstanding of the situation if he compares the situation as far as Thaksin is concerned and Aung San Suu Kyi," he said.

"I don't know how many people share his view that Thaksin is like Aung San Suu Kyi. I doubt there are many, for fairly obvious reasons."

The Oxford-educated Abhisit, who earlier in the day represented Thailand at a ceremony marking the creation of ASEAN's first ever commission on human rights, said the summit was an opportunity for regional unity.

"He (Hun Sen) is here for ASEAN. We are here to build a community, which means solidarity, which means community," he said.

"I don't want him to be a victim or a pawn for someone that undermines the interests of his country and the interests of the region. I am sure that when he is better informed he will change his mind."

Ties between Cambodia and Thailand have been difficult since June 2008 amid an ongoing border conflict over land surrounding an 11th century temple.

But relations have cooled further since Hun Sen made his first invitation to Thaksin earlier this week.

Thaksin is living in exile after fleeing Bangkok in August last year to avoid a two-year jail term for corruption. He is believed to be living mainly in Dubai.

He has angered the Thai government by staging a series of phone-ins from abroad to mass rallies in Bangkok by his supporters, known as the "Red Shirts".

The Cambodian government said earlier Friday that under treaties between the two nations it could reject a request for Thaksin's extradition because it would be made on the grounds of "political offence".

Thai officials said there were no plans yet for any meeting between Abhisit and Hun Sen at the Hua Hin summit.

[thaiorchid]

They really deserve each other. Hun Sen and Thaksin !!
Financial advisor on how to spend aidmoney mainly from EU on private consumption for the elite.
"Comrade Thaksin, which is the better car, the Hummer or the Benz ?"

[Beeblebrox]

I think I read on yesterday's Bangkok Post webpage that Hun Sen has even built Thaksin a very nice house to live in while there...

Why would you build a mega rich man a home? Hun Sen certainly wants Thaksin to live close to him for some reason... I've read his "official" reason...

[dtaai-maai]

I can't believe how cynical you lot are! I mean there's this national leader, out of the goodness of his heart... - oh, hang on, there's a flaw there somewhere...

[sandman67]

or how does this one play out for you:

In 6 months time old Abba is drinking his mid morning tea when a nice letter from the Cam embassy arrives on his desk.

Hi Absy, its yer old mate Prime Minister El Generalissimo Hun Sen here. Just thought Id drop you a line and show you a piccy of my shiny new economic advisor Mr T. Doesnt he look happy? Thats me stood next to him there... I look great eh?

Yeah I know hes a wanted fugitive but hey, you have a few of ours, we have a few of yours. Seems fair. How is Sam doing nowadays? Doesnt call me any more. Cant say Im bothered. You can tell him hes welcome to stay just where he is thanks.

Now, about that temple......

[PeteC]

Anyone unclear as to who "Sam" is above, he's Sam Rainsy. See below link, section "CPP government paranoid, says Rainsy" Pete

http://detailsaresketchy.wordpress.com/ ... /politics/

[Spitfire]

Hun Sen, the outspoken Cambodian premier, further riled the hosts of the annual meeting by comparing the plight of the ousted Thaksin to that of detained Myanmar democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi.

Bet that one went down like a lead balloon.

There's endless 'handbags' between these two, it's like a blood feud. Laos doesn't get any comments from the Thais because of the electricity and the Burmese don't either because of the natural gas supplies even though they are both also disliked and looked down on by the Thais. Cambodia is a good bashing bag for them as no consequences happen as a result and Hun Sen is a bit of a nut job anyhow.

[charlesh]

I think HS could see that there were lots of potential "brothers in arms" ready to take up the cudgel and forge a new era (we could call it year 0 again I suppose). They already have the T shirts and colour to match. The locals might have to be taught what rouge means in a Kymer setting though!
Maybe HS is ready to take some Nth African and Afghani madrassah graduates also ??

[Sabai Jai]

Sounds like a marriage made in Hell, a really Toxic relationship.

So what will the predominantly Lao Red shirts make of this?

Not good

Mentioning his name in comparison with Mrs Suu Kyi is a gross insult

Sabai Jai

[Spitfire]

This seems to be getting worse, Thailand huffing and puffing about closing the border and ending agreements etc, Cambodia so happy that Thaksin is there and "helping out" with the added bonus of snubbing the Thais, this situation has definately pissed the Thais off.

One of many reports around at the moment regarding this downward spiral,

http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/local/1 ... h-cambodia

Seems to just be going further south all the time, no good conclusion to this to be seen at the moment.

[Khundon1975]

If Hun Sen gives TS a job, he will soon realise the price to be too high.

There is only one job TS wants, the job he held before going on his extended hols.

Oops, almost forgot, he also wants the billions back, that are locked up in Thai banks.

Having him (TS) in the next door garden shouting over the fence all the time, is not going to do anything for Detente between Thailand and Cambodia.

[Sabai Jai]

BBC: Thaksin extradition demand denied

Mr Thaksin (r) and Cambodian PM Hun Sen play golf together
Cambodia has rejected an extradition request from Thailand for former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, further escalating a diplomatic row.

Mr Thaksin arrived in Cambodia on Tuesday, after being invited to work as an adviser to the government there.

Thai diplomats gave the extradition papers to Cambodia early on Wednesday.

But Cambodia replied saying it would not consider the request, because it viewed the charges Mr Thaksin faces in Thailand as politically motivated.

Mr Thaksin has been sentenced to two years in jail in absentia by a Thai court, as result of a conflict of interest case.

According to the BBC correspondent in Bangkok, Rachel Harvey, the former prime minister's presence just across the border from Thailand is a source of profound irritation and potential concern for the current government.

Full article here http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-p ... 353896.stm

....He's getting nearer??

Worrying - anything to do with him

Regards Sabai Jai

[caller]

Oops, almost forgot, he also wants the billions back, that are locked up in Thai banks.

I'm sure he does want it back, although in the Times interview (I believe banned in LOS), he did state he did have 100-200m outside of LOS, don't think that was Baht, before he finally settled on 100m.

He also discussed new global investments - I don't think he is struggling.

[Khundon1975]

Very true Caller but he ain't going to let it stay in a Thai bank if he can get it back.

He needs it for his pension.

[sandman67]

Former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra is ready to help, if asked by the Thai government, to talk to Cambodia to ensure justice for the Thai engineer who was arrested on spy charges, Noppadon Pattama said on Monday.

Mr Noppadon, a legal adviser and close aide of Thaksin, said he had talked over this matter to the deposed prime minister who said he was ready to help if asked by the government.

However, Thaksin would only help ask Cambodia to ensure justice for Siwarak Chothpong, the suspect, and allow relatives to visit him, but would not interfere in the Cambodian justice process because doing so could be seen as meddling in that country's internal affairs, Mr Noppadon said.

Mr Noppadon also said Thaksin was not involved in the M79 attack on the People's Alliance for Democracy's rally on Sunday night and threaten to sue PAD leaders if they accused his boss of involvement.

BKK Post this afternoon

Now. known as I am for my lack of tact and ability to shave thru bullshit like a razor thru a victims streched out lillywhite neck hows this one sound?

To me..... sounds like a typical Toxin whitewash exploit.

Get your stinky little tinpot dictator mate to invite you over....then you both get together and set some poor dumb Thai mug up for a fall.

Then, after letting said mug rot in jail all weekend so his plight looks pretty precarious offer to intervene and effect his release with a wave of the Thaktwat Whitewash Brush ($99999.99 from your local SpinDok store). Having your tinpot pisspot dictator mate refuse access to official Thai diplomatic staff helps here.

The Thai media, unused as it is to spotting scams like this or investigating stories, fall for the crap hook line and sinker.

The equally dumb and deluded Issan peons wet themselves over what a great guy he really is and work to effect his return to rule over a thousand year reich of Thai shinyness.

The mug who took the fall will of course play along at the point of the gun, grovelling before his master and crying tears of thanks that the squarehead had him released. Cue pictures plastered across the Thai media.

As opposed to the Brit response: Kicking Thicktwat in the head screaming "you had me arrested and fired you c**t!"

And while the crowd look one way you get your equally shabby and cowardly mates to launch grenades at a crowd of women and kids..... mates trained by an equally corrupt stinking coward who has the cheek to retain his army rank. Another greedy little Issan pig stuffing his face at the trough you created and filled for him.

.... or am I wrong?