Thai note said to hint at attack on Cambodia

21 December 2009
James O'Toole
Phnom Penh Post

THAILAND has developed a contingency plan for military action against Cambodia should the dispute between the two countries over fugitive former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra’s appointment as an adviser to Cambodia’s government escalate further, a parliamentarian from the Thai opposition alleged on Friday.

Puea Thai party lawmaker Jatuporn Prompan presented reporters with a copy of a note he said Thai Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya sent last month to Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, according to Bangkok’s The Nation newspaper.

The note reportedly outlines several courses of action Thailand could pursue in its ongoing row with Cambodia.

“In the worst case, such as a violation of Thai sovereignty or anything resembling the establishment of a government in exile for Thaksin, Thailand would cut diplomatic relations and resort to using military force,” The Nation said.

Chawanon Intharakomansut, secretary to the Thai foreign minister, acknowledged the existence of the note but said Jatuporn had blown its significance out of proportion.

“It’s our plan to deal with Cambodia, but it’s a normal statement from the government of Thailand – it’s not something like he said, an assassination plan or anything like that,” Chawanon said. The secretary added that the document was “classified”, and that a committee had been set up to investigate how the note had been leaked.

Thailand withdrew its ambassador to Cambodia last month in protest of the appointment of Thaksin as an economics adviser, with Cambodia withdrawing its ambassador to Thailand shortly afterwards.