Seh Daeng 'sneaked' into Cambodia to see Thaksin

The politically active Army specialist better known as Seh Daeng said he managed to slip past immigration at the checkpoint by using his connections with Cambodian troops along the border.

"I was a warrior in Prachin Buri and know Cambodian soldiers very well. I was a trainer for many Cambodian military commanders," he said.

While in Siem Reap, he met Thaksin, who hugged him and introduced him to Hun Sen as "this warrior [who] used to fight against you at Ta Phraya and Chong Bok", referring to the scenes of two border battles in the 1980s.

Hun Sen shook his hand and said: "I saw you many times."

Later, he had his photo taken, flanked by Hun Sen and Thaksin. In the photo, Khattiya wore a red shirt and a black jacket carrying the logo of his political party, Khattiyatham.

"It was worth it. But I did not stay there too long. I had to climb the fence back into the house," he said.

Earlier, he denied entering Cambodia, saying the man in the photo was a look-alike.

Thaksin was in Cambodia as a "shadow prime minister who does not want to cut ties with Cambodia", he said.

The government of Abhisit Vejjajiva seemed to become envious after the Pheu Thai Party's chief adviser, Chavalit Yongchaiyudh, met with Hun Sen and then Thaksin became Cambodia's economic adviser, he said.

"The two countries fought from 1979-89, but bilateral ties were not cut. Now Abhisit is prime minister, and the ties are cut. He has been prime minister for 10 months, and he challenges Cambodia to a war," Khattiya said.

A military source in Sa Kaew province yesterday said Khattiya entered Cambodia last Friday without undergoing immigration procedures. He passed through the Klong Luek border checkpoint in Sa Kaew and was picked up by a Cambodian-government vehicle on the other side of the border, said the source.

Another Army source said an initial investigation found Khattiya had not requested permission to travel to a foreign country. Defence Ministry regulations require any military officer to ask for permission from the Army and the defence minister before leaving the country.

The Army will likely set up a fact-finding team to investigate Khattiya's trip to Cambodia to determine whether he had sufficient reason to leave the country without first seeking permission from his supervisors, said the source.