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The government has no plan to close the Thai embassy in Phnom Penh, even though Cambodia has now expelled the embassy's first secretary, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said Friday.

Kamrob Palawatwicha, the first secretary, was declared "persona non grata" on Thursday and ordered to leave the country within 48 hours. In response, Thailand expelled the Cambodian first secretary from Bangkok.

Mr Abhisit said the government would not fall into a trap set by Cambodia and would be careful when deciding its next moves.

"We have to understand why they are provoking us. We will not make precipitous decisions," Mr Abhisit told reporters. "We will protect our benefits and will not be drawn by their psychological games."

Mr Abhisit said Cambodia's announced plan to withdraw some troops from disputed area near Preah Vihear temple was another ploy to convince Unesco's World Heritage Committee that there were no tensions between the two countries in that area

13/11/09
Bangkok Post