Thailand/Cambodia - Thaksin row

Rift deepens as Cambodia reject Thaksin extradition

Article published on the 2009-11-11 Latest update 2009-11-11 15:14 TU

Hun Sen (R) has rejected Thailand’s bid to have Thaksin Shinawatra (L) extradited
(Photo: Reuters)

Relations between Cambodia and Thailand worsened on Wednesday when the Phnom Penh government refused a Thai request to extradite its former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

Thai diplomats handed over papers for the extradition of Shinawatra, a billionaire who was ousted in a 2006 coup and lives in exile to avoid a jail term for graft. He arrived in Cambodia on Tuesday after being appointed as an economic advisor to the government there.

Moments after the request was handed over, Cambodian officials responded with a formal refusal letter.

"This response letter is enough to tell the foreign affairs ministry of Thailand that there will be no extradition," said the Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen on a televised press conference with his close friend Thaksin at his house near Phnom Penh.

Hun Sen said the charges on which the ousted Thai leader had been sentenced in absentia to two years in prison were politically motivated.

"You see, some leaders have been toppled during times of provocation but Thaksin was toppled during a time he was on a mission for his nation. So he is a political victim of the coup d'etat of 19 September, 2006," he said.

Hun Sun said he would not discuss Thaksin's new advisory role if he meets Thailand's prime minister at a summit of regional leaders with US President Barack Obama in Singapore on Sunday.

In the press conference, Shinawatra defended his decision to go to Cambodia.

"I really would like to help my people. But I think helping my neighbour is like helping my people indirectly," he said.