Thailand May Consider Tougher Action Against Thaksin

9/11/2009
BERNAMA

BANGKOK, Nov 9 (Bernama) -- Thailand will consider tougher measures against ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra if he uses Cambodia as a base to create turbulence in Thailand, Thai Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban said on Monday.

Thaksin's planned visit to Phnom Penh is not unexpected following his appointment by Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen as an economic adviser, Thailand News Agency (TNA) quoted Suthep, who is in charge of security affairs, as saying.

Thailand will officially contact Cambodia, reiterating that Thaksin is convicted, who escaped a two-year jail term for malfeasance.

Thailand's Supreme Court Criminal Division for Holders of Political Positions sentenced Thaksin to a two-year prison term in absentia after finding him guilty of a conflict of interest in the Ratchadaphisek land purchase scandal in 2003. The ex-premier jumped bail and fled the sentence.

Suthep said Thailand and Cambodia have an extradition treaty, so Thailand will ask Cambodia to extradite him to serve punishment here.

"How Cambodia will consider it and what will be the Cambodian response, we must wait and see. We can't send officials to arrest him in Cambodia because there are legal processes to comply with international law," Suthep said.

The Royal Thai Police and the Office of the Attorney-General must submit a letter through channels required by international law.

A diplomatic response will be proposed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to the prime minister. It is a proper application of diplomatic protocol when there is misunderstanding between the two countries.

The security agencies have assessed and monitored the situation. The current diplomatic row matters between the two governments, but good relations between people of the two countries and among the military units along the border must be maintained to prevent escalation of the problem into a clash, he said, adding that the incident was a simply a political and diplomatic spat.

Meanwhile, Army chief Gen Anupong Paochinda said the Thai army has closely monitored the situation and held talks with Cambodia's regional military commanders. Cambodia has not reinforced its troops on the border.

Asked whether Thaksin will meet his supporters at Rong Kluea border market in Aranyaprathet on November 13, Gen Anupong said he must wait and see the situation.The government may increase the level of response against Thaksin if he uses the neighbouring country as a political base to cause turbulence in Thailand.