Thai PM hits back at Hun Sen over Thaksin

CHA-AM, Oct 23 (TNA) – Thailand’s Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva on Friday said that Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen may have received incorrect information about former Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, and should not allow himself to be used as a ‘pawn’.

The Thai premier commented after Mr Hun Sen asserted that Mr Thaksin could remain in Cambodia as his guest and could be his economic advisor, saying he was not interfering in Thailand’s internal affairs but that Cambodia has the right to exercise its sovereignty and make such a decision.

Mr Hun Sen offered his comment as he set foot on Thai soil Friday evening to attend the 15th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit which opened Friday morning in the Thai seaside resort towns of Cha-am and Hua Hin.

In response to questions regarding his government’s statement that Cambodia would reject any Thai request to extradite Mr Thaksin if he accepts an invitation for refuge in Cambodia, Mr Hun Sen told reporters to read the extradition treaty thoroughly to understand why the former Thai premier, whom he described as his friend, can stay in Cambodia as a guest of the Cambodian government.

The Cambodian government’s earlier statement said that the extradition treaty between Thailand and Cambodia clearly indicated that extradition cannot be made on the grounds of political offenses.

“A lot of people talked about Myanmar’s Aung San Suu Kyi. Why not Thaksin who is also a similar victim?,” Mr Hun Sen asked.

“The current situation would not have happened,” he said, “had there been no September 2006 in Thailand.”

Ousted in a bloodless coup, ex-premier Thaksin jumped bail and fled his being sentenced to a two-year jail term for malfeasance in the controversial Bangkok Ratchadapisek land purchase case. The toppled Thai premier now spends most of his time in the United Arab Emirates after his status as a visitor was rejected by a number of countries including both the United Kingdom and Germany.

Mr Abhisit said Mr Hun Sen may have received incorrect information and that was why he compared Mr Thaksin to Myanmar pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi.

I don’t know how many people share his view that Thaksin is like Aung San Suu Kyi. I doubt there are many in the world, for very obvious reasons. And I would say this, that he is here for an ASEAN meeting. We are here to build a community which means solidarity, which means unity. I don’t want him to be a victim or a pawn for somebody that undermines the interests of this country and interests of the region and I am sure that when he is better informed, he will change his mind,” the Thai prime minister said. (TNA)