News Khmer

The government should consider cancelling other agreements with Cambodia to show its displeasure, after Cambodia hired former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra as an adviser, says the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD).

The PAD threw its support behind Friday's decision by the government to cancel a memorandum of understanding on development of an overlapping maritime area in the Gulf of Thailand.

But it said the Democrat Party-led government should step up its protest action, by reviewing other agreements with the country, evicting Cambodians who have illegally settled in disputed border areas claimed by both countries, and cancelling all aid projects for Cambodia.

A PAD rally persuaded the previous government backed by Thaksin to reverse its support for Cambodia's decision to list the ruins of the 11th century Hindu temple of Preah Vihear as a World Heritage site, under the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation.

The decision to scrap the MoU on the maritime boundary has led to a spat between the Democrats and opposition Puea Thai Party.

The Democrats have criticised Thaksin's decision to accept Cambodia's offer to advise Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen and his government.

The ruling party, as expected, supports the government's move to review all MoUs signed by the Thaksin administration with Thailand's neighbour.

They must be reviewed to protect Thailand's interests, said Democrat spokesman Buranat Samutarak.

The government fears that if Thaksin begins to act as Cambodia's adviser, he could put Thailand in a disadvantageous position.

Mr Buranat said bilateral relations with Cambodia had turned sour because of Mr Thaksin's lack of conscience.

Yingluck Shinawatra, Thaksin's younger sister, told Puea Thai supporters in Ayutthaya yesterday that her brother had no intention of damaging the country.

Thaksin said advising Cambodia was a neighbourly thing to do, and could result in benefits to Thailand.