Thailand rebukes Cambodia's invite to Thaksin

BANGKOK, Oct 22 (AFP) - Thailand rebuked neighbouring Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Sen Thursday for his offer to let fugitive former Thai prime Thaksin Shinawatra stay "anytime."

Thailand's Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban, in charge of national security, told reporters that Hun Sen should not be meddling in Thailand's affairs after he reportedly said that Thaksin had not received justice at home.

Thaksin continues to live in exile after fleeing in August last year to avoid a two-year jail term for corruption.

"We have an extradition treaty with Cambodia, so if Thaksin goes there we will officially notify the Cambodian government and seek his extradition," said Suthep.

"This is Thailand's own internal affair and we can solve this issue by ourselves. No foreigner can solve an internal matter. Thai people can think for themselves," he said.

Cambodia's state-run TVK said Wednesday that Hun Sen made the invitation during a private meeting Wednesday with Chavalit Yongchaiyuth, a key member of Thailand's main opposition party Puea Thai.

Thaksin, on his online Twitter feed, thanked Hun Sen for his controversial invitation but stopped short of accepting it.

"I thank Prime Minister Hun Sen for telling the public that I am still his friend and that he would welcome me at any time and arrange a house for me in Phnom Penh," Thaksin wrote.

He said that he was currently staying in Dubai.

Relations between Cambodia and Thailand have been difficult for months amid an ongoing border conflict.

The two governments have been at loggerheads over the land around Preah Vihear for decades. Nationalist tensions spilled over into violence in July last year, when the temple was granted UNESCO World Heritage status.

Thaksin was ousted by a 2006 coup and continues to face allegations of corruption relating to his two-term rule.

The Thai government has repeatedly attempted to arrest Thaksin abroad, but the former premier travels on various passports.

Related Posts by Categories

Widget by Hoctro | Jack Book