Sunday, December 27, 2009

Thai-Cambodian ties not improving

27/12/2009
Bangkok Post

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said the government wanted the Thai-Cambodian diplomatic relations improved but it could not disregard the country's sovereignty and pride.

"I admit that the Thai-Cambodian ties have not been smooth but the government must prevent it from troubling public members from the two countries," Mr Abhisit said during his weekly broadcast on Sunday.

In response to criticisms that the government was using diplomatic measures against Cambodia, the prime minister said calling back the Thai ambassador to Phnom Penh was a very light one.

"Taking a diplomatic measure is better than using other methods as they may affect the trade situation and lead to clashes along the border area,"
he said. "I also feel sorry that some Thai people have laid out more conditions and given certain information to Cambodia, causing the Cambodian leader to continuously criticise the Thai government."

He said if the Cambodian government revised different issues surrounding the Thai-Cambodian row, the Thai government was willing to consider sending back its ambassador to Phnom Penh.

The government has no policy to resort to violence against its neighbouring countries, and also has no policy to intervene in their politics, he said.

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