Road projects in Cambodia under review

The move was a further reaction taken in response to Cambodia's appointment of convicted ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra as an economic adviser to the Cambodian government, and to its refusal to extradite him to Thailand.

After a meeting of senior officials with the premier, Deputy Finance Minister Pruttichai Damrongrat told reporters a Bt1.4-billion loan approved earlier by Cabinet would be reviewed.

The loan had been provided for construction of road no 68 linking Chong Chom border checkpoint in Surin to Siem Reap province in Cambodia.

Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban, who is in charge of security affairs, said that in addition to road number 68, another road project would also be affected. He said Cambodia had requested an additional Bt31 million in loans to fund the building of another road with Thai funds.

The prime minister called a meeting of senior officials from security agencies yesterday after Cambodia refused Thailand's request to extradite Thaksin.

Officials of the meeting were Suthep, Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwan, Deputy Interior Minister Boonjong Wongtrairat, Interior permanent secretary Wichai Srikwan, Foreign Affairs permanent secretary Virachai Footrakul, and caretaker national police chief General Pateep Tanprasert.

Top military commanders also were present, including Armed Forces supreme commander General Songkitti Jakkabatra and Army commander-in-chief General Anupong Paochinda.

Abhisit told reporters after they had assessed the security situation in regard to ties with a neighbouring country and internal politics.

Representatives from relevant agencies discussed the best and most efficient preparations for possible future actions, he said without elaborating.

He said that in addition to the diplomatic action taken against Cambodia, such as the recall of Thailand's ambassador, more measures would be taken, including a review of financial aid.

Abhisit also instructed the military to be a stand-by and prepare for possible evacuations, according to a source.

The premier reiterated that the government would try to stop the spat with Cambodia from expanding into a violent confrontation and would avoid causing impacts on ordinary people, particularly those living in the border areas.

He insisted the government was working to protect national interests and dignity.

"We should not allow ourselves to become victims of people who try to make personal gains without any concern for damage to the country and international relationships, as well as the peoples of Thailand and a neighbouring country," Abhisit said.

"I don't want any Thai people or politicians to cause problems with another country simply to try to achieve their own political goals," he said.

The prime minister said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs was considering further measures in response to Cambodia's rejection of the extradition request.

Thaksin, in Phnom Penh as a guest of Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, gave a lecture to a group of Cambodian bureaucrats and businesspeople yesterday about how to reduce poverty and to improve its economy.