Diplomatic Rift Between Thailand and Cambodia Deepens
The tension between Thailand and Cambodia increased today when Thaksin Shinawatra flew in by private plane to a military airport in Cambodia. The former Thai leader was arriving to take up his new role as economic adviser to the Cambodian government, a post which had been offered to him by his friend, Hun Sen, the Cambodian prime minister. Thai authorities say they will seek the formal extradition of Thaksin who was found guilty in absentia last year of corruption charges. Cambodia have already said they will refuse extradition because they say Thaksin has been the victim of political persecution in Thailand. Thaksin has been living in exile since he was ousted as Thai prime minister in the military coup of 2006.
A recent interview with Thaksin and the Times Online has also sparked controversy. Critics of Thaksin have accused him of being disrespectful to the Thai monarchy and allege that the interview broke Thailand’s lese majeste laws. Thaksin has countered that his views were misinterpreted and that he may take legal action against the Times Online for false reporting. The Thaksin issue has sparked the yellow shirts into action. The People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD) have announced they will hold a rally on Sunday at Sanam Luang in Bangkok to protest against Thaksin and Cambodia.
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