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Ex Thai PM Thaksin Shinawatra gains Cambodian post
The Australian - November 5, 2009
Phnom Penh – Cambodia has appointed fugitive former Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra as economic adviser to premier Hun Sen, heightening tensions between the countries.
The appointment was announced on state television yesterday – almost two weeks after Mr Hun Sen first riled Thailand by offering safe haven to Thaksin, who was ousted in a coup in 2006 and is living abroad to avoid a jail term for corruption.
"Thaksin has already been appointed by royal decree... as personal adviser to Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen and the adviser to the Cambodian government in charge of economy," said a government statement.
"Allowing Thaksin to stay in Cambodia is virtuous behaviour... good friends need to help each other in difficult circumstances." The government described charges against Thaksin as "politically motivated" and vowed not to extradite him if he "decides to stay in Cambodia or travels in and out of Cambodia in order to fulfil his duties".
Ties between Cambodia and Thailand have been difficult since June last year amid a border conflict, which has claimed several lives, over land surrounding an 11th century temple.
Thailand said the appointment was an internal matter for Mr Hun Sen's government but it would push for the extradition of billionaire Thaksin if he sets foot in Cambodia.
"It's not a surprise," Thai Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban said. "Cambodia has previously hired other foreigners as advisers and it did not cause us any problems. We don't have to worry.
Thaksin remains an influential figure on Thailand's turbulent political scene.
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