Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen on Monday congratulates Thailand Samak Sundaraveg's People Power Party (PPP) for winning the general elections Sunday.
The People Power Party (PPP), which supports ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, won 232 of the parliament's 480 seats. It defeated a party supported by the generals who ousted Mr. Thaksin in a coup 15 months ago and banned him from politics.
PPP leader Samak Sundaravej is expected to become the next prime minister of Thailand.
In a speech at Preah Vihear Suor temple inauguration, PM Hun Sen said the PPP's victory is from a free and fair election.
" Even though this is Thailand's internal affairs, but as Thailand's neighboring country, and as partner in ASEAN, we express our thanks for the victory at the election, for our friend holding a fair, free and just election, which can be accepted by all."
Hun Sen says he hopes that relationship between Cambodia and Thailand will be strengthened further under the new Thai government.
" Now, we are waiting to work with the civilian government which will be formed in the future. The one who (wins) from the free, fair, and just election, and (we) hope the relationship with Cambodia will be strengthened further, while working with the new Prime Minister and the new government."
Human rights Ad Hoc's director, Thun Saray says that the strengthening of ties between the two countries is positive in curbing human rights violations in Cambodia.
"If the Thai government is a government that adheres to democratic principles and respects human rights, I think it can help boost the Cambodian people's rights and freedom, who are illegal aliens, and it can help in the respect of some basic rights, and the alleviation of the bilateral relations along the border, if that government is formed from the election, with the respect for the rights, and true democracy."
Human rights officials say there are over 200,000 Cambodians working legally in Thailand and there are thousands more working there illegally.
