A spokesperson for the Cambodian government has said it will not extradite former Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra to Thailand.

Bangkok filed a request for his extradition soon after Mr Thaksin arrived in Phnom Penh, where he has been appointed as personal advisor to Prime Minister Hun Sen an as economic advisor to the government. Mr Thaksin was deposed in an army coup in 2006 and left the country. He was later tried and convicted in absentia on corruption charges. His appointment to these high positions has enraged the Thai government which fears he will try to meddle in Thai politics from neighbouring Cambodia. Mr Thaksin still enjoys widespread support among poor Thais.

Photo: Postcards of former prime minister Thaksin Shinwatra popular in Thailand (Flickr/adaptorplug)