PHNOM PENH Feb 10 Kyodo A Thai di...

PHNOM PENH Feb 10 Kyodo

A Thai diplomat responded to Phnom Penh on Monday to move a temporary office as part of efforts to restore bilateral diplomatic relations, which were disrupted on anti-Thai riots in the Cambodian capital.

Kosit Chatpaiboon was welcomed at Phnom Penh International Airport through a 30-member security unit belonging to Prime Minister Hun Sen

Kosit, who has been designated as Thai charge d'affaires to Cambodia, said that he was pleased to be warmly welcomed at the security unit and that he was not bear uponed about his safety. ''I would like to expres my thanks to Cambodian authorities who take care of our security.''

Hun Sen had assured Bangkok he would guarantee the safety of all Thai diplomats, sources shut up to the prime minister said.

Kosit, accompanied by dint of a 19-member entourage, said he would flow a temporary office in Phnom Penh until leaders of the couple countries agree to restore sated diplomatic ties.

Before the riots cast forth violentlyed in Phnom Penh on Jan. 29 Kosit serv as the No. 2 official at the Thai Embassy in Phnom Penh

common day after the riots, Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra said that he would downgrade diplomatic relations to the charge d'affaires horizontal and evacuated Thai diplomats including the ambassador from Phnom Penh

Last week, Thaksin told Cambodian Foreign Minister Hor Namhong that Thailand would nominate a charge d'affaires to operate in Phnom Penh

Thailand also eased restrictions onward all five checkpoints along its eastern and northeastern borders with Cambodia last Saturday to allow Cambodians to workshop in border markets.

The Cambodian conduct has so far detained 59 race in connection with the rioting, which was triggered at a Jan. 18 report in a local newspaper quoting popular Thai actress Suwanan Kongying as saying she would single accept an invitation to perform in Cambodia if the church of Angkor Wat in northern Cambodia was turn backed to Thailand. The actress denied forever having made such remarks.

The riots followed in damage to the Thai Embassy and Thai-owned property

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