They also threatened to protest at the Cambodian Embassy in Bangkok next month if the Cambodian leader fails to act on their demand.

HUA HIN, Oct 24 (TNA) - Thailand and Cambodia still enjoy good bilateral relations, Thai Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya affirmed Saturday, and the kingdom would not let any problem related to a single person harm the good cooperation.

Mr Kasit said that cooperation between Thailand and Cambodia continues and that border trading operates without problems. The two countries are friends and would not let any sole issue affect their good relations.

During most of the past 10 months since Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva assumed office, he said, the prime minister had emphasized that he would not let any single issue to obstruct cooperation in other fields.

He said that Mr Abhisit had clearly clarified Thailand's stance regarding former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra following the remarks made by Mr Hun Sen.

The Cambodian premier asserted that Mr Thaksin could remain in Cambodia as his guest and could be his economic advisor. Mr Hun Sen added that he was not interfering in Thailand's internal affairs but that Cambodia has the right to exercise its sovereignty and make such a decision.

In response, Mr Abhisit said that Mr Hun Sen may have received incorrect information about Mr Thaksin and should not allow himself to be used as a 'pawn'.

Ousted in a bloodless coup, ex-premier Thaksin jumped bail and fled his sentencing to a two-year jail term for malfeasance in the controversial Bangkok Ratchadapisek land purchase case. The toppled Thai premier now spends most of his time in the United Arab Emirates after his status as a visitor was rejected by a number of countries including both the United Kingdom and Germany.

As for the protest letter submitted to Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen by the People’s Alliance's for Democracy (PAD), Mr Kasit said he believed this was the move of some groups, not the whole PAD.

He said some PAD groups may have felt that the Thai-Cambodian border disputes were not going be solved as quickly as they wish, and that they consequently wanted to put pressure on the involved parties.

Led by Veera Somkwamkid, the PAD submitted a letter of protest to the Cambodian leader through the Thai foreign ministry’s Department of ASEAN Affairs, represented by Vitavas Srivihok, which demanded that Cambodia withdraw troops from the contested 4.6 square kilometer area adjacent to Preah Vihear temple.

They also threatened to protest at the Cambodian Embassy in Bangkok next month if the Cambodian leader fails to act on their demand.

Mr Kasit said Thailand and Cambodia are fellow ASEAN members and should cooperate and live together peacefully. Both countries should observe the same rules and the leaders should not do anything that could lead to misunderstanding.

Tensions between Cambodia and Thailand over the surroundings of Preah Vihear boiled over into violence last year when the temple was granted World Heritage status by the United Nations Educational Science and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO).

''Chavalit's trip raises tension,'' Bangkok Post editorial, Oct 23, 2009. The news about Gen Chavalit Yongchaiyudh claiming that Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen is happy to provide his country as a haven for the fugitive from Thai justice, Thaksin Shinawatra, should not embarrass the two countries more than those three individuals themselves. Why?

First, it is an open secret that Thaksin and Hun Sen have been closely linked ever since Thaksin was not yet Thailand's prime minister. Both Thaksin and Hun Sen have been rumoured to have had vested interests while serving their countries. The only difference is that Thaksin was ousted by a coup in 2006 while Hun Sen's hold on power remains intact.

Second, Gen Chavalit's claim that Hun Sen's wife cried for Thaksin's disgrace was misconstrued and inaccurate because, during her visit to Bangkok while Thaksin was in power, she was received lavishly, beyond her expectations. This is a personal feeling and has nothing to do with Thaksin being right or wrong, good or bad.

Third, if Hun Sen has said what Chavalit claims he has said (that Cambodia is prepared to shelter Thaksin), then Hun Sen has confessed for the first time that he and Thaksin have been putting their heads together for something very fishy - something that could be bad for Cambodia and Thailand's longstanding relations - but good for the two only.

Thaksin Shinawatra may have thought he made the wisest decision in choosing Gen Chavalit as his right-hand man in Thailand. He should think again. Even I am embarrassed every time people hear my name and ask: ''Not that Chavalit, are you?

''Chavalit's trip raises tension,'' Bangkok Post editorial, Oct 23, 2009. The news about Gen Chavalit Yongchaiyudh claiming that Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen is happy to provide his country as a haven for the fugitive from Thai justice, Thaksin Shinawatra, should not embarrass the two countries more than those three individuals themselves. Why?

First, it is an open secret that Thaksin and Hun Sen have been closely linked ever since Thaksin was not yet Thailand's prime minister. Both Thaksin and Hun Sen have been rumoured to have had vested interests while serving their countries. The only difference is that Thaksin was ousted by a coup in 2006 while Hun Sen's hold on power remains intact.

Second, Gen Chavalit's claim that Hun Sen's wife cried for Thaksin's disgrace was misconstrued and inaccurate because, during her visit to Bangkok while Thaksin was in power, she was received lavishly, beyond her expectations. This is a personal feeling and has nothing to do with Thaksin being right or wrong, good or bad.

Third, if Hun Sen has said what Chavalit claims he has said (that Cambodia is prepared to shelter Thaksin), then Hun Sen has confessed for the first time that he and Thaksin have been putting their heads together for something very fishy - something that could be bad for Cambodia and Thailand's longstanding relations - but good for the two only.

Thaksin Shinawatra may have thought he made the wisest decision in choosing Gen Chavalit as his right-hand man in Thailand. He should think again. Even I am embarrassed every time people hear my name and ask: ''Not that Chavalit, are you?

(RTTNews) - The three-day annual summit of the Association of South-East Asian Nations got off to a controversial start Friday when the launching of the ASEAN Inter-governmental Human Rights Commission (AICHR) was marred by half of the representatives of civil society groups being denied chance for an audience with the ASEAN leaders.

The governments of Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, the Philippines and Singapore all rejected the delegates chosen by the ASEAN Civil Society to meet with the leaders of the member-states, now a regular event at ASEAN summits to demonstrate the group's new 'people orientation.'

The rejected delegates included Cambodia's Nay Vanda, Laos' Manichanh Philaphanh, Myanmar's Khin Ohmar, the Philippines' Crescencia Lucerno, a Franciscan nun, and Singapore's Sinapan Sanaydorai, a labor activist.

The governments said they would not take part in the dialogue if the five activists were present. Instead, Singapore and Myanmar flew in substitutes from government-sponsored agencies, with the latter sending two former police chiefs to represent civil society.

When the interactive meeting began without the original civil society representatives, those from Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand walked out, leaving the process a mere 'government affair.'

Debbie Stothard of the ASEAN People's Forum, an umbrella group of non-governmental organizations, said "ASEAN has lost credibility." She described the incident as 'disturbing.'

The summit, being held at the Thai beach resort of Cha-am, south of the capital Bangkok, was due to sign declarations on food security, regional connectivity, disaster management and cultural exchanges.

Both the cities are under tight security. Originally scheduled to hold in April, the half-yearly summit was twice postponed due to political unrest and inconvenience of some Asian leaders to attend it.

Still, half the bloc's 10 leaders failed to show up at the opening of the conference Friday.

Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, who presided over the inauguration ceremony, called the launching of the Human Rights Commission 'a significant milestone in the evolution of ASEAN," while critics say it is incapable of punishing human rights violators because it focuses on promotion rather than protection of human rights.

He called for a more dynamic, action-based ASEAN as it moves toward its goal of achieving an integrated ASEAN Community similar to the EU by 2015

An inter-governmental body having consultative nature, the basic purpose of the AICHR is to promote and protect human rights and fundamental freedoms of the peoples of ASEAN. It is also meant for developing strategies for upholding the right of the peoples of ASEAN to live in peace, dignity and prosperity.

The AICHR charter calls for enhancing regional cooperation with a view to complementing national and international efforts on the promotion and protection of human rights.

A clause in the charter, non-interference in the internal affairs of ASEAN Member States, makes it claw-less in dealing with obvious and serious human rights violations going on in a region notorious for human rights abuses, especially countries like Myanmar, Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam.

At the same time, it empowers the regional body to consult, as may be appropriate, with other national, regional and international institutions.

The AICHR shall convene two regular meetings per year.

An annual report on its activities will be submitted to the ASEAN Foreign Ministers Meeting.

ASEAN has been widely criticized in the past for failing to pressure the Myanmar military regime to free Opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi and more than 2,000 other political prisoners.

With a focus on the process to integrate the ASEAN community, education and human resource development will be given top priority at the 15th ASEAN Summit.

The bloc will also meet with regional dialogue partners - China, Japan, South Korea, India, Australia and New Zealand.

(RTTNews) - The three-day annual summit of the Association of South-East Asian Nations got off to a controversial start Friday when the launching of the ASEAN Inter-governmental Human Rights Commission (AICHR) was marred by half of the representatives of civil society groups being denied chance for an audience with the ASEAN leaders.

The governments of Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, the Philippines and Singapore all rejected the delegates chosen by the ASEAN Civil Society to meet with the leaders of the member-states, now a regular event at ASEAN summits to demonstrate the group's new 'people orientation.'

The rejected delegates included Cambodia's Nay Vanda, Laos' Manichanh Philaphanh, Myanmar's Khin Ohmar, the Philippines' Crescencia Lucerno, a Franciscan nun, and Singapore's Sinapan Sanaydorai, a labor activist.

The governments said they would not take part in the dialogue if the five activists were present. Instead, Singapore and Myanmar flew in substitutes from government-sponsored agencies, with the latter sending two former police chiefs to represent civil society.

When the interactive meeting began without the original civil society representatives, those from Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand walked out, leaving the process a mere 'government affair.'

Debbie Stothard of the ASEAN People's Forum, an umbrella group of non-governmental organizations, said "ASEAN has lost credibility." She described the incident as 'disturbing.'

The summit, being held at the Thai beach resort of Cha-am, south of the capital Bangkok, was due to sign declarations on food security, regional connectivity, disaster management and cultural exchanges.

Both the cities are under tight security. Originally scheduled to hold in April, the half-yearly summit was twice postponed due to political unrest and inconvenience of some Asian leaders to attend it.

Still, half the bloc's 10 leaders failed to show up at the opening of the conference Friday.

Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, who presided over the inauguration ceremony, called the launching of the Human Rights Commission 'a significant milestone in the evolution of ASEAN," while critics say it is incapable of punishing human rights violators because it focuses on promotion rather than protection of human rights.

He called for a more dynamic, action-based ASEAN as it moves toward its goal of achieving an integrated ASEAN Community similar to the EU by 2015

An inter-governmental body having consultative nature, the basic purpose of the AICHR is to promote and protect human rights and fundamental freedoms of the peoples of ASEAN. It is also meant for developing strategies for upholding the right of the peoples of ASEAN to live in peace, dignity and prosperity.

The AICHR charter calls for enhancing regional cooperation with a view to complementing national and international efforts on the promotion and protection of human rights.

A clause in the charter, non-interference in the internal affairs of ASEAN Member States, makes it claw-less in dealing with obvious and serious human rights violations going on in a region notorious for human rights abuses, especially countries like Myanmar, Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam.

At the same time, it empowers the regional body to consult, as may be appropriate, with other national, regional and international institutions.

The AICHR shall convene two regular meetings per year.

An annual report on its activities will be submitted to the ASEAN Foreign Ministers Meeting.

ASEAN has been widely criticized in the past for failing to pressure the Myanmar military regime to free Opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi and more than 2,000 other political prisoners.

With a focus on the process to integrate the ASEAN community, education and human resource development will be given top priority at the 15th ASEAN Summit.

The bloc will also meet with regional dialogue partners - China, Japan, South Korea, India, Australia and New Zealand.

Good friends: Hun Sen (right) talking Thaksin in Phnom Penh, Cambodia in this file picture. — AP

On the eve of an Asean summit, Cambodian premier Hun Sen extends an invitation to his friend Thaksin Shinawatra to stay in Cambodia, then his government denies it.

WHAT can an eternal friend, who happens to be the Cambodian Prime Minister, do to help his self-exiled billionaire politician buddy?

If you were Hun Sen, you would offer to build a beautiful home in Cambodia for Thaksin Shinawatra, the former Thai prime minister who was ousted in a 2006 coup.

In Phnom Penh on Wednesday the Cambodian premier told Gen Chavalit Yongchaiyudh, the puu yai (Thai for “senior elder”) of the pro-Thaksin Pheu Thai Party, that he was prepared to host Thaksin, who fled Thailand in August 2008 to avoid a two-year jail term on charges of corruption and abuse of power.

“I consider Thaksin as my eternal friend. Cambodia will welcome him to stay here for anytime.

“I make the house available for him at any time if he decides to visit Cambodia,” Hun Sen told reporters after meeting Chavalit.

“Though I’m not Thai, I’m hurt by what has happened to him. My wife even cried on knowing about it and has the idea of building a home for Thaksin to come and stay honourably,” he said.

“We have been great friends since Thaksin was a businessman, and the relationship has remained the same since he entered politics,” Hun Sen said.

In Thaksinlive, Thaksin tweeted in Thai: “I have to express deepest thanks to Prime Minister Hun Sen for saying in public that I am his friend.

“I also would like to thank him for arranging me a house.”

However, Thaksin — who is currently staying in Dubai — did not say whether he would accept Hun Sen’s offer.

In an article yesterday, The Nation reported that relations between Hun Sen and Thaksin go back nearly two decades when the Thai was “an up-and-coming businessman trying to align himself with important people.”

“It started with lucrative business contracts in the area of telecommunications, with the Vietnamese-installed government in Phnom Penh. At the time Hun Sen was top man on the hill,” wrote Don Pathan, The Nation’s foreign editor.

Hun Sen’s invitation to Thaksin came two days before the Asean summit, where Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva will be hosting him and other Asian leaders in Hua Hin, Thailand.

A Bangkok Post editorial cartoon yesterday succinctly illustrated the consequence of the undiplomatic invitation: Hun Sen’s right arm warmly welcoming a delighted Thaksin, while his left hand was rudely slapping a flustered Abhisit.

On Thursday, Veera Prateepchaikul, a former Bangkok Post editor, wrote:

“A shrewd politician, the Cambodian prime minister should have realised that his receiving of Chavalit at this juncture and his remark about Thaksin would embarrass if not offend the Thai government, Prime Minister Abhisit in particular.”

“But he didn’t seem bothered and appeared willingly to play into Chavalit’s political game,” he opined in the Bangkok Post.

Ever the statesman, Abhisit on Thursday told journalists he had no hard feelings towards Hun Sen.

The Thai premier said he believed his Cambodian counterpart was mature enough to differentiate matters and had no intention of interfering in Thailand’s internal affairs. He added that he would not raise the matter with Hun Sen during the Asean summit.

However, Abhisit said his government would seek Thaksin’s extradition if he ever set foot in Cambodia.

“Once Thaksin enters Cambodia the extradition process will begin. If Cambodia fails to comply with (the) treaty, that would be another story,” he said.

Don’t bet on that happening.

“If Thaksin decides to come and stay closer to home, he can rest assured it won’t be a walk into a trap,” The Nation opined yesterday.

“First and foremost, the one who invites him and who would be his host is the most powerful man in Cambodia, thus the chance of Thaksin being stabbed in the back and extradited is virtually zero.”

The article continued: “Combine the apparently heartfelt message with Hun Sen’s stormy relations with the current Bangkok leaders, an extradition request should either bounce back to the senders or head straight to diplomatic oblivion.”

Yesterday, Hun Sen’s invitation took a twist.

Cambodian government spokesman Khieu Kanharith claimed that it was untrue the Cambodian premier would allow Thaksin to have a permanent home in Cambodia. He added that Hun Sen was misquoted by the media.

Perhaps Thaksin can shed some light on this latest twist in his next tweet.

Good friends: Hun Sen (right) talking Thaksin in Phnom Penh, Cambodia in this file picture. — AP

On the eve of an Asean summit, Cambodian premier Hun Sen extends an invitation to his friend Thaksin Shinawatra to stay in Cambodia, then his government denies it.

WHAT can an eternal friend, who happens to be the Cambodian Prime Minister, do to help his self-exiled billionaire politician buddy?

If you were Hun Sen, you would offer to build a beautiful home in Cambodia for Thaksin Shinawatra, the former Thai prime minister who was ousted in a 2006 coup.

In Phnom Penh on Wednesday the Cambodian premier told Gen Chavalit Yongchaiyudh, the puu yai (Thai for “senior elder”) of the pro-Thaksin Pheu Thai Party, that he was prepared to host Thaksin, who fled Thailand in August 2008 to avoid a two-year jail term on charges of corruption and abuse of power.

“I consider Thaksin as my eternal friend. Cambodia will welcome him to stay here for anytime.

“I make the house available for him at any time if he decides to visit Cambodia,” Hun Sen told reporters after meeting Chavalit.

“Though I’m not Thai, I’m hurt by what has happened to him. My wife even cried on knowing about it and has the idea of building a home for Thaksin to come and stay honourably,” he said.

“We have been great friends since Thaksin was a businessman, and the relationship has remained the same since he entered politics,” Hun Sen said.

In Thaksinlive, Thaksin tweeted in Thai: “I have to express deepest thanks to Prime Minister Hun Sen for saying in public that I am his friend.

“I also would like to thank him for arranging me a house.”

However, Thaksin — who is currently staying in Dubai — did not say whether he would accept Hun Sen’s offer.

In an article yesterday, The Nation reported that relations between Hun Sen and Thaksin go back nearly two decades when the Thai was “an up-and-coming businessman trying to align himself with important people.”

“It started with lucrative business contracts in the area of telecommunications, with the Vietnamese-installed government in Phnom Penh. At the time Hun Sen was top man on the hill,” wrote Don Pathan, The Nation’s foreign editor.

Hun Sen’s invitation to Thaksin came two days before the Asean summit, where Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva will be hosting him and other Asian leaders in Hua Hin, Thailand.

A Bangkok Post editorial cartoon yesterday succinctly illustrated the consequence of the undiplomatic invitation: Hun Sen’s right arm warmly welcoming a delighted Thaksin, while his left hand was rudely slapping a flustered Abhisit.

On Thursday, Veera Prateepchaikul, a former Bangkok Post editor, wrote:

“A shrewd politician, the Cambodian prime minister should have realised that his receiving of Chavalit at this juncture and his remark about Thaksin would embarrass if not offend the Thai government, Prime Minister Abhisit in particular.”

“But he didn’t seem bothered and appeared willingly to play into Chavalit’s political game,” he opined in the Bangkok Post.

Ever the statesman, Abhisit on Thursday told journalists he had no hard feelings towards Hun Sen.

The Thai premier said he believed his Cambodian counterpart was mature enough to differentiate matters and had no intention of interfering in Thailand’s internal affairs. He added that he would not raise the matter with Hun Sen during the Asean summit.

However, Abhisit said his government would seek Thaksin’s extradition if he ever set foot in Cambodia.

“Once Thaksin enters Cambodia the extradition process will begin. If Cambodia fails to comply with (the) treaty, that would be another story,” he said.

Don’t bet on that happening.

“If Thaksin decides to come and stay closer to home, he can rest assured it won’t be a walk into a trap,” The Nation opined yesterday.

“First and foremost, the one who invites him and who would be his host is the most powerful man in Cambodia, thus the chance of Thaksin being stabbed in the back and extradited is virtually zero.”

The article continued: “Combine the apparently heartfelt message with Hun Sen’s stormy relations with the current Bangkok leaders, an extradition request should either bounce back to the senders or head straight to diplomatic oblivion.”

Yesterday, Hun Sen’s invitation took a twist.

Cambodian government spokesman Khieu Kanharith claimed that it was untrue the Cambodian premier would allow Thaksin to have a permanent home in Cambodia. He added that Hun Sen was misquoted by the media.

Perhaps Thaksin can shed some light on this latest twist in his next tweet.