Thailand vs. Cambodia: no normal relations

Chinaview.cn/Xinhua

BANGKOK -- Thailand's Foreign Minister, Kasit Piromya, said [Jan. 12, 2009] that it is still not the time to normalize relations with Cambodia, the Thai News Agency reported. If Cambodia has not ended its relationship with ousted former Thai Premier Thaksin Shinawatra, it will be difficult to improve the bilateral tie, Kasit said. No matter what Cambodia says, it will not change the fact that Cambodia has not respected the justice system of Thailand, Kasit added. The diplomatic problem between the two countries came about after Cambodia appointed Thaksin an economic advisor to Cambodia's government and Hun Sen on Nov. 4, 2009. A day after the appointment, the Cambodian government announced a recall of its ambassador to Thailand in a move to respond to the Thai government's recall of its ambassador to Cambodia. More>>

Thai premier says he won't resign

Anti-government protesters step on a poster of Thai Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat in Bangkok, 10/17/08. Thousands of anti-government protesters were marching through the streets of Thailand's capital, calling for the resignation of Somchai (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit).

• Slideshow: Thailand Protests

BANGKOK, Thailand – Thai Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat says he will stay in power. Somchai says he won't step down despite growing calls for his resignation in the wake of a deadly confrontation between police and protesters last week.

Somchai told a 20-minute press conference Friday that he had no plans to step down. "The government cannot just abandon its work and responsibility," he said. Thousands of anti-government protesters marched through the streets of Bangkok earlier Friday calling for his resignation.

Army chief Gen. Anupong Paochinda on Thursday hinted that Somchai should step down in the wake of the confrontation between police and protesters last week that killed one demonstrator and injured more than 400 other people.