November 6, 2009
SINGAPORE (AFP) - Singapore expressed concern Friday over the worsening diplomatic row between Thailand and Cambodia, saying "it is not good" for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
"Singapore is concerned about the deteriorating relationship between Thailand and Cambodia. It is not good for ASEAN," a spokesman for the city-state's foreign ministry said.
"We hope that both our friends will keep the larger interest of ASEAN in mind and find a way to resolve their differences quickly in a spirit of good neighbourliness."
Thailand on Friday threatened to close its border with Cambodia in a spiralling diplomatic row over Phnom Penh's naming of fugitive former Thai premier Thaksin Shinawatra as an economic adviser.
The warning came a day after the two countries recalled their respective ambassadors due to the dispute over the appointment of Thaksin, who was ousted in a 2006 coup and lives abroad to avoid a jail term for corruption.
Cambodia, Singapore and Thailand are members of ASEAN along with Brunei, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines and Vietnam.
