Tej: Govt is right to recall ambassador

Tej Bunnag

8/11/2009
Bangkok Post

Reports said there were only housekeepers at the Cambodian embassy.

Recalling the Thai ambassador to Phnom Penh was the right decision by the government, former foreign minister Tej Bunnag said on Sunday.

The government decided to recall its ambassador to Phnom Pehn after former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra was appointed as Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen's economic advisor. The Cambodian government recalled its ambassador to Thailand subsequently.

Mr Tej, who was foreign minister during the Samak Sundaravej administration, said the government's plan to terminate its offshore border agreement with Cambodia would slightly affect both countries, since the resources will still be in the area.

The Foreign Ministry will propose the idea of scrapping the agreement to the cabinet on Tuesday.

The government should create unity in the country first before discussing this issue with Cambodia, Mr Tej said.

On Asean secretary-general Surin Pitsuwan's call for other Asean member countries to help address the Thai-Cambodian dispute, Mr Tej said he could not tell how they can help improve the situation.

Meanwhile, the situation around the Cambodian embassy in Bangkok was normal.

150 police officers were deployed to oversee security around the area, and more police will be reinforced to prevent a third party from inciting unrest.

Reports said there were only housekeepers at the Cambodian embassy.