Hun Sen: Thaksin Is Always Welcome

PHNOM PENH — Thailand's fugitive former prime minister is a "political victim" and is welcome in neighboring Cambodia any time he needs refuge, Cambodia's leader said Wednesday — adding there's even a house ready.

Thaksin Shinawatra has been living mostly in self-imposed exile since he was ousted in a 2006 coup after six years as prime minister. He was convicted last year of conflict of interest and sentenced to two years in prison, and Thai officials have revoked his personal and diplomatic passports.

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen. (Photo: Getty Images)

Much of his fortune remains frozen in Thai banks, and he has been barred from several countries following diplomatic pressure from Thailand.

"I would like to assure Thaksin and his supporters that Hun Sen will be his friend forever," Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen told reporters after a meeting with another former Thai prime minister, Gen. Chavalit Yongchaiyudh, who recently allied with Thaksin as a member of the opposition Puea Thai Party.

"Thaksin was a political victim. I respect and like him more now than when he was a prime minister," Hun Sen said, adding that he has prepared a house where Thaksin can stay at any time.

The comments were likely to cause a stir within the Thai government, which hosts the annual summit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations that starts Friday.

Relations between Cambodia and Thailand have already been sour amid a border dispute over a parcel of land around an 11th century temple.

Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva did not respond immediately to Hun Sen's comment, but his government has frequently urged Thaksin to return to Thailand to serve the sentence. Thaksin has denied allegations of corruption and abuse of power.

Thaksin, a former telecommunications tycoon, has surfaced since the coup in Dubai, Hong Kong, Nicaragua, Liberia, and Montenegro in pursuit of investment opportunities. He remains popular among the Thai poor who benefited from his populist policies, but he is reviled by many of the elite in Bangkok, where his administration was seen as deeply corrupt.

Britain revoked his visa in November last year, and Germany later revoked his residency permit.

Chavalit, talking with reporters on his return to Bangkok, declined to comment on Thaksin's whereabouts.

Cambodia Bill to Ban Protests of More Than 200
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

PHNOM PENH — Cambodia's parliament on Wednesday approved a bill banning demonstrations of more than 200 people, raising opposition concerns that it would further limit freedom of speech in the Southeast Asian nation.

The bill also would require protesters to seek permission five days ahead of a planned rally. The law will take effect if formally passed by the Senate and endorsed by King Norodom Sihamoni.

Cheam Yeap, a lawmaker from the ruling Cambodian People's Party, said the law would help ensure public order and maintain national security.

Lawmakers from the country's main opposition party, the Sam Rainsy Party, said it would stifle free speech.

"This is definitely a setback for Cambodia's democracy," party president Sam Rainsy said.

No opposition lawmakers voted for the bill, which was passed by 76 members of the ruling party out of 101 lawmakers in attendance in the lower house of parliament.

Prime Minister Hun Sen's government has often been accused by rights groups and opponents of curtailing Cambodians' rights to peaceful protests.

Several journalists, human rights activists, opposition lawmakers and other government critics have been convicted or sentenced to jail this year and last year after being found guilty of defaming Hun Sen and his allies.