09/02/2010BangkokPost
Foreign Ministry says remarks unacceptable
A fresh onslaught of insults by Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen directed at Abhisit Vejjajiva is widening the diplomatic gulf between the two countries.
Thailand and Cambodia had been struggling to find ways to mend fences after a series of spats but Hun Sen yesterday appeared to want nothing of the kind.
He scrapped a visit to Ta Muan Thom, an ancient border temple in Phnom Dong Rak district of Surin.
He scrapped a visit to Ta Muan Thom, an ancient border temple in Phnom Dong Rak district of Surin.
Diplomatic tensions did not ease despite Hun Sen not turning up at the temple and he fired a broadside at Prime Minister Abhisit on a Cambodian website.
The Thai embassy in Phnom Penh alerted the Thai government to the remarks on the website and the Foreign Ministry was quick to counter the Cambodian leader.
A Thai soldier armed with a rocket launcher guards the Ta Muan Thom temple on the border with Cambodia in Phanom Dong Rak district of Surin yesterday. Security forces were on alert for the visit to the temple by Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, but he cancelled his plans. TAWATCHAI KEMGUMNERD
"I have to apologise to the Cambodian people that up until today all Thai people and the government have wanted to resume relationships with Cambodia in all fields, including economic, social and investment cooperation," said Chavanond Intarakomalyasut, assistant to the foreign minister.
"But criticising the Thai premier so badly damages Thailand's dignity and that will make it even more difficult to normalise ties.
"The harsh and rude words should not have come from a prime minister of any country. We cannot accept it.
The Thai embassy in Phnom Penh alerted the Thai government to the remarks on the website and the Foreign Ministry was quick to counter the Cambodian leader.
A Thai soldier armed with a rocket launcher guards the Ta Muan Thom temple on the border with Cambodia in Phanom Dong Rak district of Surin yesterday. Security forces were on alert for the visit to the temple by Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, but he cancelled his plans. TAWATCHAI KEMGUMNERD"I have to apologise to the Cambodian people that up until today all Thai people and the government have wanted to resume relationships with Cambodia in all fields, including economic, social and investment cooperation," said Chavanond Intarakomalyasut, assistant to the foreign minister.
"But criticising the Thai premier so badly damages Thailand's dignity and that will make it even more difficult to normalise ties.
"The harsh and rude words should not have come from a prime minister of any country. We cannot accept it.
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