Fugitive former Thailand Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra has resigned as Phnom Penh’s economic adviser, a move that would certainly pave the way for the return of normal ties between Thailand and Cambodia.
Acting government spokesman Dr Panitan Wattanayagorn confirmed today the resignation of Thaksin, and the Thai government had been informed of the latest development.
In an immediate response, Bangkok will reinstate its ambassador to Phnom Penh Prasas Prasasvinitchai tomorrow, according to Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya. Cambodia too was expected to send back its ambassador to Bangkok soon, said Kasit.
News report from Phnom Penh cited “personal difficulties in fulfilling his role completely” as the reason for Thaksin’s resignation.
On Nov 5, 2009, Bangkok recalled its ambassador to Cambodia to protest the appointment of Thaksin (picture) as economic adviser to the Cambodian government by Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen.
In a tit for tat, Phnom Penh too asked its ambassador to Bangkok to return home. Thaksin, who was ousted in a military coup in September 2006, fled Thailand in 2008 just before a court sentenced him to two years in jail for abuse of power in the Ratchadepisek land case.
The Thai-Cambodia relationship was also strained when Phnom Penh refused to extradite Thaksin to Thailand and the move was seen by Bangkok as interference in the internal affairs of Thailand and a denial of the Thai judicial process.
On the three Thai villagers arrested after straying into Cambodian territory recently, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said there was no need to use diplomatic channels to solve the problem as it could be settled through the local authority channels.
The three were arrested by Cambodian soldiers while gathering fruits and hunting in the forest along the border.
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