Ex-PM sees Thai scheme benefitting Cambodians
12/11/2009
Bangkok Post
PHNOM PENH : Thaksin Shinawatra plans to introduce His Majesty the King's sufficiency economy to Cambodia in a bid to eradicate poverty, the former prime minister says.
"We will discuss poverty eradication [and] how the poor can use sufficiency economy, the philosophy of His Majesty the King of Thailand, to make the poor in Cambodia understand the concept," Thaksin said on Cambodian television yesterday.
The former prime minister and now economic adviser to the Cambodian government has come in for heavy criticism following an interview with The Times of London's online section in which he made mention of the future of the monarchy.
Thaksin sent a letter of protest to The Times on Tuesday saying he was disappointed with the "misleading article" and insisted he was very loyal to the monarchy.
He appeared on Cambodia's TVK television channel for an hour yesterday from a private residence of Prime Minister Hun Sen in Takhmua district, Kandal province, 15 kilometres from Phnom Penh.
Thaksin said he would help businessmen, senior officials and ministers to understand a capitalist economy, especially the financial sector, which had to be strengthened.
He said he would also try to generate more foreign investment in Cambodia and make amendments to obsolete laws.
Thaksin assured that both Cambodia and Thailand would benefit greatly from his advisory model.
He said every country, especially those in this region, should hold economic dialogues and help each other improve each other's economies.
"Whatever I said was opposed by the [Abhisit Vejjajiva] government," Thaksin said.
"Now I gather my experience. I really would like to help my neighbour [Cambodia].
"This is like helping my people indirectly because my neighbour here can have more purchasing power to buy Thai products."
Thaksin promised to create more jobs in Cambodia so its people did not resort to illegal labour in Thailand. "In this modern world you have to understand [economic cooperation]," he said. "No one can live in isolation; we have to connect with one another regardless of who they are."
Thaksin said he accepted the position of Cambodia's economic adviser because one of the Asean agreements states that Asean must help new members - namely Laos, Burma and Cambodia.
"Cambodia has gross domestic product of only 3.1%, so the country needs help."
Thaksin also expressed concern that he could not help Thailand solve its economic problems even though he had the ability.
Since his administration was toppled in a coup on Sept 19, 2006, he had been travelling and giving advice to countries in Africa, Central America and the Pacific islands, he said.
"Now they [the Abhisit government] revoked my passport, took away my police rank and royal decorations, and tried to pressure me every way," he said.
The Council of State ruled last month Thaksin should be stripped of his police rank and royal decorations after his conviction last year on corruption charges, but no further action has been taken.
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