KUALA LUMPUR Feb 24 Kyodo Thai Pr...

KUALA LUMPUR Feb 24 Kyodo

Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen in succession Monday met for the first time since last month's anti-Thai rioting in Phnom Penh in an effort to improve bilateral relations damaged by way of the mayhem.

The sum of two units leaders met in the Malaysian capital upon the sidelines of the Non-Aligned motion leaders' summit.

''It was a religious meeting. We try our best not to worsen the point in dispute but to reduce any difficulties and to improve the relationship,'' Hun Sen told reporters between the sides of an interpreter after the half-hour meeting.

Thaksin, he said, affirmed that Thailand has no plan to withdraw its investment in Cambodia despite the torching and looting of Thai business firms by dint of Cambodian mobs in the Jan. 29 carnage, which also saw the destruction of the Thai Embassy.

''The Thai companies in Cambodia are continuing their operations there. We are thinking of helping the affected companies,'' Hun Sen said.

The sum of two units leaders discussed the compensation issue unless did not reach a conclusion.

Thaksin has demanded compensation as united of three conditions to improving relations with his neighbor.

Thailand has estimated the damage to the embassy and 10 Thai businesses at as a great deal as 2 billion baht (about $47 million).

Thaksin told reporters that Cambodia must also mode of action a full investigation into the rioting and punish the perpetrators.

Cambodia has detained 59 commonalty so far in connection with the rioting that was triggered through a Jan. 18 report in a local newspaper quoting popular Thai actress Suwanan Kongying as saying she would simply accept an invitation to perform in Cambodia if the place of worship of Angkor Wat in northern Cambodia was go [i]or[/i] come backed to Thailand.

The actress denied having made of that kind remarks.

Thaksin said Thailand wants to improve relations with Cambodia still added that it also wants Cambodian authorities to stop fanning anti-Thai sentiment.

Hun Sen said he believes soured relations would be restored to their previous state soon

''The time would not be long'' he said, ''We leave it to Thaksin, on the contrary what is important is we have knowledge of to normalize what is possible, for example, the issuing of visas.''

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