Ball is in Cambodia's court, Thai PM says

27-10-2009
News Desk
The Nation (Thailand)


Good relations with Cambodia are up on Phnom Penh, according to Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, who said yesterday that the "ball is now in Cambodia's court". His remark suggests it's up to Prime Minister Hun Sen to strengthen bilateral ties or allow them to suffer after the verbal spat between him and Abhiisit over the weekend.

Speaking to Nation Multimedia Group's editor-in-chief Suthichai Yoon on the World Pulse TV show - being aired nationwide this evening, Abhisit said there would be no diplomatic protest or recalling of Thai ambassadors at this point in time.

Diplomatic relations went into a tailspin last week after Hun Sen said his "old friend" Thaksin Shinawatra, the former Thai PM, would be welcome to live in Cambodia.

Hun Sen said he would not extradite Thaksin to face prison terms in Thailand because he considered his crimes were political in nature. He later said he would make the fugitive premier an economic adviser.

Hun Sen made the statement shortly after arriving in Thailand to attend the 15th Asean Summit in Cha-am over the weekend.

Abhisit said Hun Sen needed to hear all the facts before any conclusion could be reached. The Cambodian needed to know what laws Thaksin had violated and then decide as to whether the former PM should be sent back to Thailand, if and when he arrives in Cambodia.

Abhisit dismissed suggestion that Hun Sen's remarks spoiled the Asean Summit, hosted by Thailand in Hua Hin and Cha-am over the past weekend. The PM said he was satisfied with the outcome of the summit.

No other leaders at the summit asked about Hun Sen's statement, Abhisit said.

When asked about Chavalit Yongchaiyudh's trip to Phnom Penh, which sparked Hun Sen's remarks, Abhisit suggested the Pheu Thai politician needed to re-evaluate whether his actions had hurt or helped relations with Cambodia.

Abhisit said he was willing to talk to Thaksin about national reconciliation provided the fugitive premier returned to the country and accepted findings from the country's justice system, which had convicted him of fraud and corruption.

"If he is not willing to abide by our law then what's the use of talking to him?" he asked.