Cambodian PM lashes out at Thai leaders

January 14, 2010
ABC Radio Australia

Just when you thought relations between Cambodia and Thailand couldn't get any worse, Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Sen has resorted to name calling... and he says he's waiting for the imminent demise of Abhisit Vejjajiva's government before he gets friendly with his neighbour again.

Presenter: Girish Sawlani

Speakers: Panitan Wattanayagorn, Thai government spokesman; Koy Kuorn, spokesman, Cambodian Foreign Ministry; Professor Carl Thayer, University of New South Wales

Listen: Windows Media

SAWLANI: Both countries have acknowledged that ties are at an all-time low. But that hasn't stopped Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Sen from straining relations with Thailand even further. Hun Sen has told an audience at a student graduation ceremony in Phnom Penh that Thailand's current government, led by Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva would not survive much longer. He says he's waiting for a new administration to take power before restoring diplomatic relations. He's also referred to Thailand's Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya, as the "chief of terrorists", for his role in last year's airport blockade that helped bring down the pro-Thaksin government. But Thailand is refusing to weigh in on the latest outburst from Phnom Penh.

WATTANAYAGORN: I assume he was talking to Cambodian students. So we're not going to comment on what he said to his students.

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