Foreign Ministry sets Hun Sen right

- The Cambodian prime minister's comments on Thailand's politics, justice system and courts are a clear intervention into the country's internal affairs, which is improper according to international practice.

The government of Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva assumed office through a proper parliamentary and constitutional process, and the justice system is independent and professional. It is the same system that former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra trusted but denounced after he lost a case.

- Cambodia's appointment of Thaksin as an economic adviser is affecting the feelings of the Thai people because Thaksin is a fugitive. He retained his political clout and was the cause of a recent violent incident in Thailand.

The Cambodian act is clearly an interference in Thailand's internal affairs.

- Talk about border closures is based on mere rumours and misunderstanding. At this stage there has been no plan of closing the borders between the two countries.

As for the impact the poor bilateral ties will have on the economy, it is premature for the Cambodian leader to conclude that Thailand will suffer more. Thailand still has strong economic fundamentals, and it is not the Thai government¡¦s intention to have either side incur losses.

- As for the cancellation of the memorandum of understanding on overlapping maritime area, the Thai government is unable to continue the bilateral talks based on an agreement that was made when Thaksin was prime minister, because he is now an economic adviser to the Cambodian government.

- The Ratchadaphisek land scandal and other cases against Thaksin have nothing to do with the 2006 coup. The first case was brought to the Supreme Court's Criminal Division on Political Office Holders by the Office of the Attorney-General and the court made a ruling.

Those institutions are independent and have nothing to do with the coup. Thaksin was punished by the court because he violated the anti-graft law that prevents a state official and his spouse from entering into a contract with a state agency under supervision of that official.

- Thailand is firm about peacefully solving the border dispute with Cambodia concerning the Preah Vihear temple. The Cambodian prime minister appeared to be mistaken when he said the Joint Border Commission meeting between the two countries had been endorsed by the Parliament.