ID :
96781
Fri, 12/25/2009 - 17:20
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http://m.oananews.org//node/96781
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Thai PM dismisses Cambodian accusation over coup plot
BANGKOK, Dec 25 (TNA) - Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva on Friday shrugged off Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen's accusation that Thailand has planned to stage a coup in the neighbouring country, stating that Thailand's foreign policy of not interfering in its neighbours' internal affairs remains unchanged.
"The government's foreign policy states clearly that Thailand will maintain good relationships with its neighbours," Mr Abhisit said. "The idea of using violence to interfere Cambodia's internal affairs is completely not on our mind."
The Thai prime minister made the comments after Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen accused Thailand of preparing a coup against his government.
At the centre of the latest row is the Thai foreign ministry's classified document analysing relations between Thailand and Cambodia which convicted former Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra and his supporters from the opposition Puea Thai party publicised and faced a lawsuit against them by the ministry.
Hun Sen was quoted by the Agence France Presse during a speech at a provincial ceremony on Thursday as saying he had seen a secret Thai government document outlining the plan to mount a coup.
"You have outlined bad scenarios, including preparing to wage war against Cambodia," Hun Sen said.
Mr Abhisit brushed aside the accusation and said he was confident Thailand's image will remain intact as the international community has no doubt about its foreign policy.
"I don't think the issue will escalate as Mr Hun Sun's accusation will have no effect. It is not necessary for the Thai Foreign Ministry to clarify the matter. What else could we do if Cambodia opted to listen to the (Thai) Opposition?," the Thai premier asked, adding that it was a pity that politicians from the opposition camp exploited the matter for their own gains.
Relations between Thailand and Cambodia had been worsen since Cambodian prime minister appointed Mr Thaksin an economic adviser last month and refused to extradite him to Thailand to serve his two-year jail term for violating the law on conflict of interest.
The situation further deteriorated when the two countries recalled their ambassadors and later expelled their diplomats. A Thai engineer was arrested on spying charges for allegedly passing secret information on Thaksin's flight schedule to the Thai Embassy in Phnom Penh. He has been pardoned by Cambodian king and returned home this month. (TNA)
"The government's foreign policy states clearly that Thailand will maintain good relationships with its neighbours," Mr Abhisit said. "The idea of using violence to interfere Cambodia's internal affairs is completely not on our mind."
The Thai prime minister made the comments after Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen accused Thailand of preparing a coup against his government.
At the centre of the latest row is the Thai foreign ministry's classified document analysing relations between Thailand and Cambodia which convicted former Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra and his supporters from the opposition Puea Thai party publicised and faced a lawsuit against them by the ministry.
Hun Sen was quoted by the Agence France Presse during a speech at a provincial ceremony on Thursday as saying he had seen a secret Thai government document outlining the plan to mount a coup.
"You have outlined bad scenarios, including preparing to wage war against Cambodia," Hun Sen said.
Mr Abhisit brushed aside the accusation and said he was confident Thailand's image will remain intact as the international community has no doubt about its foreign policy.
"I don't think the issue will escalate as Mr Hun Sun's accusation will have no effect. It is not necessary for the Thai Foreign Ministry to clarify the matter. What else could we do if Cambodia opted to listen to the (Thai) Opposition?," the Thai premier asked, adding that it was a pity that politicians from the opposition camp exploited the matter for their own gains.
Relations between Thailand and Cambodia had been worsen since Cambodian prime minister appointed Mr Thaksin an economic adviser last month and refused to extradite him to Thailand to serve his two-year jail term for violating the law on conflict of interest.
The situation further deteriorated when the two countries recalled their ambassadors and later expelled their diplomats. A Thai engineer was arrested on spying charges for allegedly passing secret information on Thaksin's flight schedule to the Thai Embassy in Phnom Penh. He has been pardoned by Cambodian king and returned home this month. (TNA)
