Shinawatra arrives in Cambodia

Former Thai premier Thaksin Shinawatra has arrived in Cambodia to start work as a government economic adviser.

Thailand has vowed to seek the extradition of the fugitive billionaire, who was ousted in a bloodless coup in 2006 and is living abroad to avoid corruption charges, but Cambodia said it would refuse any request.

The row has plunged relations between the neighbouring nations to their lowest for years and threatens to cloud weekend talks between Southeast Asian leaders and US President Barack Obama.

Shinawatra landed in a private jet at Phnom Penh International Airport and was escorted into the capital by a convoy of cars under tight security early Tuesday.

'Thaksin is here for the economy and no activities related to politics. It is an honour for Cambodia's economic sector and we hope that Cambodians nationwide welcome him warmly,' Cambodian cabinet spokesman Phay Siphan said.

Shinawatra is due to address 300 Cambodian economics experts in Phnom Penh on Thursday in his first engagement in his new post.

Mr Siphan said Shinawatra and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, who are close friends and occasional golf partners, shared a welcoming lunch, and then Thaiksin was expected to stay for 'two or three days'.

Shinawatra confirmed on his official Twitter account that he had arrived in Phnom Penh, adding that he was 'really homesick'.

'Tonight I will dine with Prime Minister Hun Sen and his family. I want to reiterate that nation, religion and monarchy are always in my mind,' Shinawatra wrote.

Thailand and Cambodia recalled their respective ambassadors last week in the escalating row over Shinawatra.

He won two elections and remains a massively influential figure in Thai politics, stirring up mass protests by so-called 'Red Shirt' supporters against the government.

His presence on Thailand's doorstep is the closest he has come since he last left the kingdom in August 2008, a move that is likely to alarm the shaky government of Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva.

Tensions between Thailand and Cambodia remain high following recent deadly skirmishes on their disputed border near Cambodia's 11th-century Preah Vihear temple, which was granted UNESCO World Heritage status in July 2008.