Thaksin leaves Cambodia

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PHNOM PENH, Nov 14 (AFP): Ousted Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra left Cambodia on Saturday after a controversial five-day visit that stoked tensions between the two Southeast Asia neighbors.
Prak Sokhon, a deputy minister who escorted Mr. Thaksin during his trip, said he departed the country on his private jet. Prak Sokhon refused to say where Mr. Thaksin was heading, though he spends much of his time in Dubai.
Mr. Thaksin's warm welcome in Cambodia came after he was named Prime Minister Hun Sen's economic adviser. The move strained already uneasy bilateral relations between the two countries, and ignited a diplomatic spat that shows no sign of abating.
Thailand recalled its ambassador, with Cambodia following suit, and threatened to cut off aid for road construction. On Wednesday, Cambodia rejected a Thai request for Mr. Thaksin's arrest, saying he was being prosecuted for political reasons
Mr. Thaksin, a former telecommunications billionaire, was ousted by a 2006 military coup. He fled Thailand last year to avoid imprisonment on a corruption charge. His visit to Cambodia sparked allegations that he was trying to set off a political crisis across the border.
Mr. Thaksin's political battle with the Thai government-which came to power this year after months of protests aimed at removing the former leader's allies from power-has bitterly divided his country.
He accuses Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva of having taken control by undemocratic means. Mr. Thaksin remains hugely popular among the rural poor, who have staged frequent rallies calling for his return to power.