19/11/2009
A diplomatic row between Cambodia and Thailand has moved to the skies after Phnom Penh took control of a Thai-operated air traffic control company at the centre of spying allegations.
A Thai engineer has been accused of sending the details of deposed Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra's recent flight to Cambodia, to a Thai diplomat.
The Cambodian Government has appointed a senior Civil Aviation official as temporary caretaker for Cambodia Air Traffic Services (CATS), a wholly-owned unit of Thailand's Samart Corporation.
Samart says all Thai nationals at the company have been banned from performing their duties.
The company says it is seeking support from the Thai Government to negotiate with Cambodia for the release of the 31-year-old engineer, who remains in custody.
The engineer, Siwarak Chothipong, was arrested a week ago and charged with spying.
CATS oversees Cambodian air space.
It is not immediately clear if the ban on Thai employees is temporary or permanent, but the move is the latest in series of back-and-forth measures over Cambodia's appointment of Thaksin as a Government economic adviser.
Earlier this month Bangkok recalled its ambassador from Cambodia, causing Phnom Penh to follow suit.
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