Ex-Thai PM Thaksin Quits As Cambodia's Economics Adviser

[webfact]

Ex-Thai PM Thaksin quits as Cambodia's economics adviser

PHNOM PENH: -- Cambodia said Monday that Thailand's fugitive former premier Thaksin Shinawatra had resigned as its economics adviser, clearing the way for a thaw in relations between the nations.

Phnom Penh said Thaksin, who was ousted in a 2006 coup and lives in self-imposed exile to avoid a jail term for corruption, had stepped down "because of personal difficulties in fulfilling his role completely".

"The Cambodian government accepts the request by His Excellency Thaksin Shinawatra with thanks to the contributions that he has made to the Cambodian economy," a statement said.

Thaksin remains an influential and controversial figure on Thailand's turbulent political scene, galvanising his "Red Shirt" supporters earlier this year to join mass protests against the current government.

The two countries recalled their respective ambassadors in November last year after Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen riled Thailand by appointing the telecoms tycoon-turned-premier.

Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva indicated Monday that they could reinstate the diplomats in light of Thaksin's departure, describing it as a "good sign."

"If relations return to normal, it is good for both countries to have ambassadors," he told reporters.

Ties between the two countries have been strained since July 2008 by a series of deadly border clashes over land surrounding an 11th century Cambodian temple after it was granted UN World Heritage status.

Cambodian government spokesman Khieu Kanharith said the resignation was not related to the Cambodia-Thai border dispute, saying the former premier had resigned because he was "busy with a lot of work".

"This is not a compromise," he told AFP, after Thaksin's departure was formalised by a royal decree issued by Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni.

Twice-elected Thaksin fled Thailand in 2008 before he was sentenced in absentia to two years in jail.

Thai courts have issued a series of warrants for the ex-premier for charges including terrorism -- an accusation linked to the Red Shirt protests.

The mass demonstrations in Bangkok descended into several bouts of bloodshed in April and May that left 91 people dead -- mostly civilians -- and some 1,900 injured, in a series of clashes between armed troops and protesters.

The Red Shirts, largely from Thailand's impoverished north and northeast, love Thaksin for his populist policies, and accuse Abhisit's government of being an unelected elite.

The tycoon's opponents in the Bangkok-based circles around the palace, military and bureaucracy accuse Thaksin of being corrupt, dictatorial and a threat to Thailand's widely revered monarchy.

-- (c) Copyright AFP 2010-08-23

[webfact]

THAI-CAMBODIA TIES

Phnom Penh to revoke Thaksin's advisor position

BANGKOK: -- Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva hinted on Monday that Cambodia will revoke fugitive ex-Thai PM Thaksin Shinawatra from the position of economic adviser.

Abhisit said he is waiting for Cambodia to announce this, possibly within today.

Meanwhile AFP reported from Phnom Penh that Thaksin resigned from the position appointed in October last year. The appointment has worsened the bilateral ties and been followed by recalling their ambassadors.

Abhisit told reporters that Thailand is willing to reinstate its ambassador if Cambodia really cancelled Thaksin's advisor position.

He said the move on the matter will be taken one step at a time when asked what his government will do in case Phnom Penh do so.

"(If the revocation happens), my government will focus on the reinstating of the ambassador," he said.

Asked whether the move will help solve the current border dispute between Thailand and Cambodia, the prime minister emphasised if both countries re-appoint their envoys, the problems will be solved.

-- The Nation 2010-08-23

[webfact]

Cambodia, Thailand to resume ties after Thaksin quits

Cambodian government announced former Thai premier Thaksin Shinawatra had resigned as Cambodia's economic advisor.

Thailand will resume diplomatic ties with Cambodia from Tuesday, the Thai government said after the Cambodian government announced former Thai premier Thaksin Shinawatra had resigned as Cambodia's economic advisor.



Thailand and Cambodia recalled their ambassadors from each others' countries on Nov. 5 after Cambodia appointed Thaksin an economic adviser in late October, a move that heightened tension between the neighbours.



"They have announced that they do not have any more ties with Thaksin so our condition to hold back a diplomat has ended," Thai Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya told Reuters. 



"Thailand will send our diplomat back tomorrow. Similarly, Cambodia will also send its diplomat back to Thailand."

Source: Agencies

2010-08-23

[rubl]

Good publicity move. Waiting for press releases from Robert A. and K. Noppadon. I'm sure it'll say K. Thaksin quit rather than having been dropped by PM Hun Sen. I can't wait to read the spin on the very good reasons K. thaksin had

[asiawatcher]

Thaksin quits? He could not steal enough from Cambodia as Hun Sen has it all.

[Phuket Stan]

Does he qualify for redundancy

[MAJIC]

Thaksin Economic Advisor to Cambodia? purely designed to Antagonise Thailand with BS,and keep him high Profile,as a big player worldwide.

[HarrySeaman]

Does he qualify for redundancy

I would say that he has been redundant in Thailand ever since the coup.

[givenall]

Thaksin quits? He could not steal enough from Cambodia as Hun Sen has it all.

No i think he got tired of paying off cambodian:rolleyes:

[george]

Thaksin may have a Cambodian diplomatic passport, if I recall correct. Can Thaksin keep that passport?

[rich54321]

Ok so he has quit there - must be side stepping for something else - who told the 200 or so red shirts to walk up and down walking street in Chiangmai at the weekend shouting and carrying on scaring all the tourists who are here for the first time - AND GUESS WHAT - NO POLICE TO BE SEEN ANYWHERE!!! No suprise there i here everyone say

Edited August 23, 2010 by rich54321

[Richard7]

Does this affect us in any way?

Just wondering really - I'm not clued up on all of this.

[lioness]

Resigning is all about saving face, I suspect it was suggested, what has Thaksin got to offer Cambodia anyhow, absolutely nothing.

[geriatrickid]

Does this affect us in any way?

Just wondering really - I'm not clued up on all of this.

Yes. It means that diplomacy may win out in the Temple and offshore boundary dispute. I don't think I am being unreasonable to say that the appointment of Mr. Thaksin was a negotiating strategy by the Cambodians. Now that the Cambodians have removed an obstacle to negotiations, Mr. Abhisit has no reason to avoid official discussions. If Mr. Thaksin's resignation helps the cause of peace, then it's not a bad thing. Stability and peace in Thailand benefits us all.

[dighambara]

Ok so he has quit there - must be side stepping for something else - who told the 200 or so red shirts to walk up and down walking street in Chiangmai at the weekend shouting and carrying on scaring all the tourists who are here for the first time - AND GUESS WHAT - NO POLICE TO BE SEEN ANYWHERE!!! No suprise there i here everyone say

Is it any surprise that Northern Policemen are supportive of Thaksin, a former senior Police officer..??

[rubl]

Ok so he has quit there - must be side stepping for something else - who told the 200 or so red shirts to walk up and down walking street in Chiangmai at the weekend shouting and carrying on scaring all the tourists who are here for the first time - AND GUESS WHAT - NO POLICE TO BE SEEN ANYWHERE!!! No suprise there i here everyone say

Scaring tourists ? Are there still some left up north ?

[Grower]

Well; son-of-a-gun; who would've thunk?

[Jingthing]

Cambodia was betting Thaksin would win. They bet wrong. Next ...

[SomTumTiger]

Cambodia backed the wrong horse. Opps.

[keymaker]

Who's going to believe Cambodian Government anyway!

I still remember when Thaksin was spotted having coffee and doing shopping over there but they said nope Thaksin isn't here!

[Flatouthruthefog]

Ok so he has quit there - must be side stepping for something else - who told the 200 or so red shirts to walk up and down walking street in Chiangmai at the weekend shouting and carrying on scaring all the tourists who are here for the first time - AND GUESS WHAT - NO POLICE TO BE SEEN ANYWHERE!!! No suprise there i here everyone say

Scaring tourists ? Are there still some left up north ?

As a matter of fact, there ARE.

Of course the 4 and 5 stars are empty, but we have plenty young families and back packers, mainly Europeans, and some guest houses report better business than the same period last year.

And, contrary to scare mongering and extreme leftist remarks in the CM section, reliable eye witnesses report that there was no intimidation and certainly no bad behaviour or "tourist scaring" in Walking Street on Sunday.

I have very limited sympathy with the reds (except those who have genuinely lost family members), but please let's all be real?!!!

[certified]

Of course he quits. Can't you figure out what he was really doing there?

[anon467367354]

will Taksin still be allowed to travel to Cambodia if he doesn't have any official business there? Still would seem like a slap in the face to Thailand if he can go there and do whatever he does, give money to his supporters etc. Would be nice to see him confined to his new country Montenegro.

[fogoyes]

the bitch has new friends now - montenegro and uganda - a man without back, character and homeland = poor guy - finish your life soon!:jap:

[Richard7]

I read he is rich, and as ex-pm will have connections - he will be fine.

So these red shirt protestors, have they been annoying tourists on purpose?

I know 'annoying' isn't the best word but you get what I mean..

Edited August 23, 2010 by Richard7

[webfact]

Thailand, Cambodia to reinstate envoys as Thaksin quits role

by Suy Se

PHNOM PENH, August 23, 2010 (AFP) - Cambodia and Thailand are to reinstate their ambassadors after fugitive former Thai premier Thaksin Shinawatra resigned Monday from a controversial role as economics adviser to Phnom Penh.

Cambodia said Thaksin, who was ousted in a 2006 coup and lives in self-imposed exile to avoid a jail term for corruption, had stepped down "because of personal difficulties in fulfilling his role completely".

"The Cambodian government accepts the request by His Excellency Thaksin Shinawatra with thanks to the contributions that he has made to the Cambodian economy," a statement said.

Thailand will send its ambassador back to Phnom Penh on Tuesday in light of the resignation, said Chavanond Intarakomalyasut, secretary to Thai Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya.

In Phnom Penh, foreign ministry spokesman Koy Kuong said Cambodia was ready to dispatch its ambassador back to Bangkok once Thailand's envoy returns.

The two countries recalled their ambassadors in November last year after Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen riled Thailand by appointing telecoms tycoon-turned-premier Thaksin to the advisory role.

Thaksin remains an influential and controversial figure on Thailand's turbulent political scene, galvanising his "Red Shirt" supporters earlier this year to join mass protests against the current government.

Ties between the two countries have been strained since July 2008 by a series of deadly border clashes over land surrounding an 11th century Cambodian temple after it was granted UN World Heritage status.

The two countries have stepped up a war of words over the territorial spat recently, with Hun Sen warning it could lead to fresh bloodshed.

Cambodian government spokesman Khieu Kanharith said the resignation was not related to the Cambodia-Thai border dispute, explaining that the former premier had resigned because he was "busy with a lot of work".

"This is not a compromise," he told AFP.

Twice-elected Thaksin fled Thailand in 2008 before he was sentenced in absentia to two years in jail.

Thai courts have issued a series of warrants for the ex-premier for charges including terrorism -- an accusation linked to the Red Shirt protests.

The mass demonstrations in Bangkok descended into several bouts of bloodshed in April and May that left 91 people dead -- mostly civilians -- and some 1,900 injured, in a series of clashes between armed troops and protesters.

The Red Shirts, largely from Thailand's impoverished north and northeast, love Thaksin for his populist policies, and accuse Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva's government of being an unelected elite.

The tycoon's opponents in the Bangkok-based circles around the palace, military and bureaucracy accuse Thaksin of being corrupt, dictatorial and a threat to Thailand's widely revered monarchy.

-- (c) Copyright AFP 2010-08-23

[keymaker]

will Taksin still be allowed to travel to Cambodia if he doesn't have any official business there? Still would seem like a slap in the face to Thailand if he can go there and do whatever he does, give money to his supporters etc. Would be nice to see him confined to his new country Montenegro.

I think that not many people know that Thaksin must enter Thai air zone to enter in Cambodia.

Do you guys really believe that Thaksin gave up on doing business in Cambodia solely because Cambodian Government want to reopen the relations??

Nope! Thai military air force is on red alert so if the cheating man without land tries to enter with its jet, he'll be forced to land in Thai territory and jailed!

[Phatcharanan]

He quit because he could no longer afford the airfares to Cambodia.

[Jingthing]

Let's face. Thaksin peaked long ago. His last hurrah was the Burning of Bangkok. It's all downhill from here for him. Sadly the leaders who have taken over his red movement are mostly even worse than Thaksin, and that's saying something.

[moe666]

Ok so he has quit there - must be side stepping for something else - who told the 200 or so red shirts to walk up and down walking street in Chiangmai at the weekend shouting and carrying on scaring all the tourists who are here for the first time - AND GUESS WHAT - NO POLICE TO BE SEEN ANYWHERE!!! No suprise there i here everyone say

Scaring tourists ? Are there still some left up north ?

As a matter of fact, there ARE.

Of course the 4 and 5 stars are empty, but we have plenty young families and back packers, mainly Europeans, and some guest houses report better business than the same period last year.

And, contrary to scare mongering and extreme leftist remarks in the CM section, reliable eye witnesses report that there was no intimidation and certainly no bad behaviour or "tourist scaring" in Walking Street on Sunday.

I have very limited sympathy with the reds (except those who have genuinely lost family members), but please let's all be real?!!!

Young families, backpackers, and mainly europeans last of the big spenders