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Thailand made little progress in improving friendly relations with the neighbouring countries in 2000. The then Deputy Foreign Minister stated in early July 2000 that Thai foreign policy was practical in that:
Thailand must remain sensitive towards its neighbours and must be responsive to their requests and provide assistance whenever necessary, something which the country has done in the past through the Thai Aid Programme. Thailand can be a good regional partner and a good global citizen, even though, for the time being, it is unable to be a good neighbour owing to vast differences with Burma and Laos.23
In summary, the Deputy Foreign Minister stressed that it was in Thailand's best interests to "turn dilemma into opportunities". However, the outcome of the relationship with its neighbours cannot be considered "an opportunity" for Thailand, as long as there is still a "dilemma".
In the case of Cambodia, the relationship between the two countries is still marred by some bilateral issues. For example, the Thai Government was in a dilemma when Cambodia demanded the extradition of Sok Yoeun, who had allegedly attempted to assassinate the Cambodian Prime Minister, Hun Sen, at the end of 1998. It was subsequently found at the end of 1999 that Sok Yoeun had...