Thaksin to advise Cambodian govt.

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia, Nov. 5 (UPI) -- Former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who faces imprisonment in his country for alleged corruption, has been appointed economic adviser to Cambodia.

Billionaire Thaksin, who was ousted from his post in a military coup in Thailand in September 2006 and who has been living in self-imposed exile, will advise both the Cambodian government and its Prime Minister Hun Sen, Cambodian officials said, the BBC reported.

Cambodia, which has had a border dispute with its neighbor, does not plan to extradite him if sought by Thailand, the BBC reported. The Cambodian government said it believes the charges against Thaksin are politically motivated.

A Cambodian official told the BBC his government, valuing Thaksin's leadership and business experience, feels he would be an asset.

The Bangkok Post quoted Thaksin as saying on Twitter Thursday he had accepted the Cambodian offer.

''Our neighbor is not an enemy. Since we have to be close to each other forever, it's better that we should be friends," he was quoted as saying.

Thaksin's legal adviser was quoted as saying his client would not be required to move to Cambodia as he can give his advice on the telephone or through the Internet.