Letter from Phnom Penh

It is no big deal for local and international journalists to report Thaksin's high profile visit.

Cambodian authorities allowed them access to Thaksin when he landed in Phnom Penh airport Tuesday. Some local journalists and those who accompanied Thaksin were selected to attend a press briefing on Wednesday. Many local and foreign journalists were allowed to briefly attend Thaksin's lecture at the Economic and Finance Ministry Thursday.

However all coverage was off-limits to Thai journalists. They were not allowed to cover Thaksin's economics lecture, which was the highlight of the visit.

 Thai journalists of all kind in print and broadcasting were blocked to hanging around near the fence of the ministry where Thaksin delivered his speech.

There was a brief push-and-pull action between Thai journalists and Cambodian guards when Thaksin arrived and Thai journalists tried to shout to put questions to him.

At first Thaksin seemed to walk from his car to speak to Thai journalists. But finally Cambodian security guards stopped and pushed him into the meeting room.

I tried to utilise my Khmer-looking appearance to snake into the meeting venue but failed as a security guard recognised me. A few guards later escorted me out of the ministry compound, and that's the end of story.

In fact, the content of Thaksin's lecture was no secret and Cambodian authorities released the whole lecture through National Television Kampuchea. And Thaksin's media also broadcast it yesterday.

What they feared was questions from Thai journalists.