Fugitive ex-Thai PM Thaksin Shinawatra arrives in Cambodia

Thaksin's visit, the second in less than a month, is certain to further stoke tensions between the neighboring Southeast Asian countries.

Cambodia's King Norodom Sihamoni pardoned Siwarak Chothipong, 31, Friday, three days after he was sentenced to seven years in prison for spying on Thaksin. He will be released Monday. Thaksin met briefly with Siriwak, asking about his health and who ordered him to carry out the spying, according to the prisoner's lawyer Khieu Sambo.

The conviction followed Cambodia's decision last month to name Thaksin, a fugitive from justice in Thailand, as its special economic adviser. The appointment and Thaksin's subsequent visit to Cambodia angered the government in Bangkok and resulted in a recall of ambassadors from both sides.

There is widespread suspicion in Thailand that the case was orchestrated to allow Thaksin to step in behind-the-scenes to secure Siwarak's royal pardon ─ a move that would promote Thaksin's image among his supporters back home and embarrass the Thai government, which has tense relations with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen.

Siwarak's mother and Chavalit Yongchaiyudh, leader of the Thaksin-linked opposition party in Thailand, submitted a written request for the pardon to Hun Sen, who forwarded it to the king, Khieu Kanharith said. Thaksin spoke to Hun Sen by telephone to request the pardon, he said.

Thaksin served as prime minister of Thailand from 2001 to 2006, when he was ousted in a military coup after being accused of corruption and showing disrespect to the monarchy.

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