THAI-SINGAPORE TIES ON THE BRINK
Thailand cancels invitation to Singapore's foreign minister
Singapore government should be more cautious about allowing visit of ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra to Singapore since Thailand have already revoked his diplomatic passport, Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont said Tuesday.
Surayud was speaking after Thai government rescinded the visit of Singapore's foreign minister later this month after ousted Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra's meeting with Singapore Deputy Prime Minister.
The government also announced it was suspending a civil service exchange program with Singapore and canceled a meeting about the program that was to be held later this month.
Foreign Ministry's spokesman Kitti Wasinondh said, "The main reason behind our measures was because Singaporean President S.R. Nathan has told PM Suryud on November 9, 2006, that Singapore will not betrayed (Thailand) and will not do anything to damage the trust and understanding between the two countries."
Earlier Thai Foreign Ministry summoned Singapore ambassador on Monday to express deep concerns on Thaksin's visit to Singapore.
"We expressed dissatisfaction with the explanation made by Singaporean authorities. Therefore we decide to cancel visit of Singapore's Foreign Minister George Yeo to Bangkok later this month ," Foreign Ministry spokesman Kitti Wasinondh said.
An informed source said Singapore issued a private invitation for Thaksin to stay in the island nation for three days. Thaksin met Singapore's Deputy Prime Minister S Jayakumar during the visit over the weekend.
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