Thailand, Cambodia expel top diplomats

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia, Nov. 13 (UPI) -- Cambodia expelled the Thai embassy's first secretary and Thailand reciprocated in their worsening row relating to a former Thai prime minister.

In announcing the expulsion of the Thai diplomat, a Cambodian Foreign Ministry spokesman gave no specific reason for the decision, China's state-run Xinhua news agency reported.

Immediately thereafter, the Thai Foreign Ministry announced the expulsion of a Cambodian diplomat of similar rank, the Bangkok Nation reported.

Relations between the two neighbors have become strained since last week's announcement by the Cambodian government that former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra had been appointed its economic adviser. The billionaire Thaksin, ousted in a military coup in 2006, is wanted in Thailand to serve a two-year jail term after being convicted in conflict of interest cases.

Thaksin, who has been living abroad, arrived in Cambodia this week. His hosts have refused to extradite him to Thailand.

The two countries already have recalled their ambassadors. Thailand also has revoked a memorandum of understanding on Thai-Cambodia overlapping zones signed by the Thaksin government.

Prior to Thaksin's appointment, relations between the two countries were tense because of a dispute over a temple located in a small area along their border.