Thaksin's return expected to fuel row

14/12/2009
AFP and Bangkok Post

Fugitive former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra has landed in Cambodia, setting the stage for another diplomatic fracas.

Bangkok sought Thaksin's extradition from Cambodia last month when he visited Phnom Penh to take up a position as government economic adviser. Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen rejected the extradition request.

Government spokesman Panitan Wattanayagorn said last night Bangkok would submit a new request for Thaksin's extradition, but Cambodian foreign ministry spokesman Koy Kuong said it would be "just a waste of time".

"Cambodia's position on the issue will not change," he said. "We will not extradite or arrest Thaksin."

Soon after his arrival yesterday, Thaksin went to Prey Sar prison to visit Sivarak Chuthipong, 31, the Thai engineer jailed last week for seven years on charges of spying. Sivarak is due to be released today after Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni granted him a pardon.

Thaksin is expected to attend an official ceremony at Hun Sen's home following Sivarak's release. Also attending will be Puea Thai Party figures who left Bangkok for Cambodia yesterday to attend the ceremony.