This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/8351743.stm
The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 1 | Version 2 |
---|---|
Ex-Thai PM arrives in Cambodia | |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Fugitive former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra has flown to the Cambodian capital to take up a job as economic adviser to the government. | Fugitive former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra has flown to the Cambodian capital to take up a job as economic adviser to the government. |
He was sentenced in absentia to two years in jail in neighbouring Thailand in a conflict of interest case. | He was sentenced in absentia to two years in jail in neighbouring Thailand in a conflict of interest case. |
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen offered Mr Thaksin the advisory post on the eve of a regional summit hosted by Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva. | Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen offered Mr Thaksin the advisory post on the eve of a regional summit hosted by Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva. |
The Thai government has expressed anger and embarrassment about the deal. | The Thai government has expressed anger and embarrassment about the deal. |
Ties between Cambodia and Thailand have been tense in recent months as disputes around a cross-border temple complex have flared. | Ties between Cambodia and Thailand have been tense in recent months as disputes around a cross-border temple complex have flared. |
Campaign base fear | |
Mr Thaksin landed in a small private aeroplane and was then escorted into the Cambodian capital by a convoy of cars under tight security. | |
Thaksin Shinawatra arrives in Cambodia | Thaksin Shinawatra arrives in Cambodia |
"Thaksin is now in Cambodia. He flew in on a special flight and just landed at the military airport," said Khieu Kanharith, Cambodian information minister and the top government spokesman. | "Thaksin is now in Cambodia. He flew in on a special flight and just landed at the military airport," said Khieu Kanharith, Cambodian information minister and the top government spokesman. |
"We are looking forward to learning from Thaksin's great economic experience and we are convinced that his experience will contribute to our country's economic development," he said. | "We are looking forward to learning from Thaksin's great economic experience and we are convinced that his experience will contribute to our country's economic development," he said. |
Mr Thaksin, a former telecoms billionaire, is in self-imposed exile and spends much of his time in Dubai. | Mr Thaksin, a former telecoms billionaire, is in self-imposed exile and spends much of his time in Dubai. |
He is scheduled to give a lecture on Thursday to 300 economists at the ministry of finance. | He is scheduled to give a lecture on Thursday to 300 economists at the ministry of finance. |
Thailand's government is outraged at the Cambodian move, and at Cambodia's apparent rejection of Thailand's judicial imperative to send Mr Thaksin to jail. | Thailand's government is outraged at the Cambodian move, and at Cambodia's apparent rejection of Thailand's judicial imperative to send Mr Thaksin to jail. |
The Thai government and its supporters also fear that Mr Thaksin could use his new home just across the border as a campaign base. | The Thai government and its supporters also fear that Mr Thaksin could use his new home just across the border as a campaign base. |
Mr Abhisit's government was appointed after defections in parliament followed a period of military rule since the coup in 2006 which deposed Mr Thaksin. | Mr Abhisit's government was appointed after defections in parliament followed a period of military rule since the coup in 2006 which deposed Mr Thaksin. |
It recalled its ambassador from Cambodia over its appointment of Mr Thaksin after Cambodia would refuse to extradite the tycoon because it considered him a victim of political persecution. | It recalled its ambassador from Cambodia over its appointment of Mr Thaksin after Cambodia would refuse to extradite the tycoon because it considered him a victim of political persecution. |
A government spokesman told the BBC that Cambodia valued Mr Thaksin's leadership qualities and business experience and that he would be an asset to the country. | A government spokesman told the BBC that Cambodia valued Mr Thaksin's leadership qualities and business experience and that he would be an asset to the country. |