BANGKOK, Nov 8 (TNA) -- Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said Thailand will seek extradition of ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra if he visits Cambodia on November 12.
His remark came after news reports that Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen announced Sunday in Phnom Penh that ousted Thai premier Thaksin Shinawatra will visit Phnom Penh this week in his new role as the government's economics adviser.
The ex-Thai premier will be at Cambodia’s Ministry of Economy and Finance on Thursday to instruct several hundred Khmer economists, according to Agence France-Presse (AFP).
Meanwhile, the Thai Foreign Affairs Ministry’s Department of Treaties and Legal Affairs is studying laws involving the memorandum of understanding (MoU) between Thailand and its neighbour Cambodia as agreements specified under its terms must be reviewed as a result of the current diplomatic row, said Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva on Sunday.
Defending his government’s decision not to scrap the MoU immediately, as it needs approval by Parliament first, Mr. Abhisit said the ministry is studying all the laws related to the MoU and his government has to cease the negotiations process with Cambodia.
If the process is continued, it could be interpreted as a conflict of interest, therefore, a review has to be made and send to the cabinet for its consideration, he said.
“Until now, we’re not ready to continue the negotiations as we’ve to protect out interests,” said Mr. Abhisit.
Both countries recalled their ambassadors after Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen appointed Thailand’s ousted former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra as his personal adviser and economic adviser to the Cambodian government.
The MoU on the Area of their Overlapping Maritime Claims to the Continental Shelf, dated 18 June 2001 was signed by then-foreign minister Surakiart Sathirathai and Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister Sok An during the Thaksin administration.
Mr. Abhisit said his government would review whether the MoU will continue in force or not, or could be amended by his government.
Meanwhile, cross border trade remains normal but hoarding by some Cambodian traders has been reported in response to possible border closure.(TNA)
Political News : Last Update : 19:35:40 8 November 2009 (GMT+7:00)
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