Thaksin addresses 'red shirts' in Cambodia

SIEM REAP, Cambodia - The former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra arrived at Cambodia's tourist city Siem Reap Saturday to meet the tens of thousands "red shirts" who have rallied hours ahead of his appearance.

Former Thai prime minister, Thaksin Shinawatra, addresses his supporters during a ceremony in Siem Reap province, Cambodia, April 14, 2012.[Photo/Agencies]

At 17:50 local time, Thaksin showed up in front of the mass rally and spoke to his "red shirt" supporters.

He said China is a good friend of Thailand and China will buy many Thai products including potatoes and build a high speed train from Bangkok to Chiang Mai for just 3 hours. He refers to the upcoming visit of Yingluck to China.

He also thanked Hun Sen for providing him the place for meeting and giving speech to his supporters. He went further to say that the current Thai government will suspend the farmers' debt to the bank for about 2 years or so.

He also sang several Thai songs and were cheered by supporters.

Thaksin stayed with his supporters from 17:50 to 20:55. As Thaksin left, the "red shirts" gave their gifts including flowers and fruits to him.

According to a source from the organization team, Cambodian government provided some 30 hectares both as the camping site of cross-border "red shirts" and the meeting place, and there are "50,000 red shirts" gathering in Siem Reap today. ?

Also, the source told Xinhua that some 4,500 armed police and securities had been deployed both along the road from Siem Reap International Airport to and at the rally site.

As previously reported, the big logos placed on both sides of a previously-built platform where Thaksin addressed the mass rally reading "Songkran Festival", which means Thai New Year, suggested that the fugitive prime minister's arrival at Cambodia is partially for celebrating the happy hours with his supporters.

Cambodia, Thailand and Laos all celebrate their New Year after the dry-season rice harvests are finished in early April. The New Year will fall on April 13-15. Most of the participants in Siem Reap are from eastern and northern areas in Thailand, where Thaksin holds a strong popularity.

Thaksin was deposed in bloodless coup in 2006 by a powerful group of Thai army. He has been living in Dubai to avoid a two- year jail term for violating a conflict-of-interest law.

He is a close friend of Hun Sen and used to be the economic advisor to the Cambodian government and Hun Sen from November 2009 to August 2010.

Thaksin's plane landed on Siem Reap at around 11 a.m. after he met the "red shirts" in Laos. Upon his arrival, he was blessed by monks with waters. As scheduled, he will visit the Angkor Wat temples tomorrow.

Supporters of former Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra attend a ceremony in Siem Reap province, April 14, 2012.[Photo/Agencies]