"Adviser" Thaksin Arrives in Cambodia

"Today we want to say welcome – warmly welcome Excellency Thaksin in Cambodia." With those words Cambodian government spokesman Phay Siphan announced early Tuesday that Thailand’s former premier Thaksin Shinawatra had landed in Phnom Penh at the express invitation of the Cambodian government.

Thaksin’s arrival was expected – he is scheduled to address a meeting of Cambodian economists later this week.

Thailand’s response was predictable too: The Thai cabinet voted to tear up a memorandum of understanding between the two nations that dealt with their overlapping claims in the Gulf of Thailand.

It was less than a week ago that Thailand expressed outrage after Cambodia appointed Thaksin to two advisory positions – one as an economic adviser to the government; the other as a personal adviser to Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen.

Not ready to extradite Thaksin

The Thai government says Thaksin, who was sentenced to two years in jail but fled beforehand, must serve his time there.

Thaksin’s sentence came after he was forced from office in a coup in 2006. But Cambodia has repeatedly said there is no way it will honour an extradition treaty with Thailand should it apply for Thaksin’s extradition.

It’s not clear at this stage how long Thaksin will stay in Cambodia – perhaps just a few days.

But the visit and the appointments have seriously damaged relations between the two nations – both of which have withdrawn their respective ambassadors.

Cambodian government spokesman Phay Siphan reiterated that Thaksin is here solely to provide advice on economic matters, and that Cambodian law precludes him from any political activity.

"You must understand that Cambodia will not allow anyone to do politics in the territory of Cambodia as stated by our constitution", he said.

Hun Sen banking on Thaksin election victory?

It’s a message Phnom Penh has stressed for days now, along with official denials that Hun Sen is looking to next year’s Thai election which Thaksin’s people could well win.

Bangkok has no doubt that is part of Hun Sen’s strategy. Even in Phnom Penh you don’t have to try very hard to hear that.

Cheang Vannarith is the executive director of the Cambodian Institute for Cooperation and Peace, a political research body. He says Hun Sen is well aware Thaksin’s group could win the election. Rebuilding relations between the two countries can probably wait until then.

Cheang Vannarith says problems between the two nations stem from Bangkok, and means the solution needs to be found there too.

And although the political temperature keeps rising, Cheang Vannarith does not believe there is any danger of conflict. Both sides, he says, will keep their mutual economic interests in the forefront. As a billionaire businessman, that’s a message Thaksin himself would doubtless understand.

Author: Robert Carmichael
Editor: Grahame Lucas