Government seeks global assistance in grabbing Thaksin

Government spokesman Panitan Wattanayagorn said apart from Asean nations, the government has also asked international entities like Interpol to keep an eye on Thaksin's movements and turn him over to Thai authorities as soon as possible.

Panitan said all evidence against the fugitive ex-PM had been gathered and would be handed over to Cambodian authorities so he can be arrested.

The spokesman also added that Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban has formally sought assistance from Cambodia's Interior Ministry to arrest Thaksin and have him extradited to Thailand so he can serve the two-year jail term he was given for corruption. However, Suthep's move would probably not translate into anything meaningful, as Thaksin will be visiting Phnom Penh at the invitation of Prime Minister Hun Sen.

Speaking to reporters yesterday, Panitan accused Hun Sen of interfering with Thailand's judicial process by concluding that Thaksin's crime was political in nature before examining the charges and evidence against the former premier who was ousted in a coup in 2006.

He said it was not appropriate for the head of a country's executive branch to interfere with the legal and judicial process, much less throw his weight behind a convicted criminal.

Panitan said Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya was meeting foreign envoys and ambassadors, especially those from Asean countries, to seek their cooperation in the hunt for Thaksin.

Thailand also hopes these countries could help Cambodia realise that it is interfering with Thailand's domestic affairs as well as disrespecting its judicial system.

Panitan said that since Thaksin was travelling on a private jet, he would have to stop off for refuelling and when he does, he should be arrested right away.

Meanwhile, Cambodian foreign ministry spokesman Koy Kuong said his country was "not concerned about these issues [the cancellation of an oil and gas exploration deal that was signed during Thaksin's reign].

 "We will not extradite him [Thaksin]. We already clarified this case because he is a political victim," Koy Kuong said.

In a related development, the Foreign Ministry yesterday held a meeting with governors of the seven provinces bordering Cambodia to assess the situation on the ground.