The brazen move by Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen to appoint Thaksin _ still a deeply divisive figure in Thailand _ is likely to further damage relations with Bangkok. It follows a border dispute that led to small but deadly military skirmishes over the past year and a half.

Responding to a congratulatory message from a supporter posted on his Twitter page, Thaksin thanked Hun Sen for the appointment.

"I thank Mr. Hun Sen for giving me such an honor," Thaksin tweeted in Thai from Dubai, where he has spent much of his time since being ousted in a 2006 coup. "But I would have more enjoyment if I could work to eradicate Thai people's poverty."

In Thailand, Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban played down the move and said it would not impact bilateral relations between the two Southeast Asian neighbors.

"It's a domestic affair for Cambodia to appoint anyone. We cannot interfere," Suthep said. "If we like or dislike the person they appoint, we can't bluster about it."

Thaksin has been living mostly in self-imposed exile since he was overthrown after six years as prime minister. He was accused of corruption and abuse of power and insulting the country's constitutional monarch, King Bhumibol Adulyadej.

Thaksin was convicted in absentia last year of violating a conflict of interest law and sentenced to two years in prison. Thai officials claim he is trying to undermine the government to regain power.

Hun Sen roiled a meeting of Asian leaders in Thailand last month by declaring that Thaksin was welcome to take refuge in Cambodia. He said Thaksin was a friend and had been unfairly prosecuted for political reasons.

Thailand responded by saying it would seek to extradite Thaksin if he went to Cambodia. Cambodia in turn said it would reject any such request.

Thaksin, a former telecommunications tycoon, had substantial business interests in Cambodia and was accused of pursuing special deals there for his family-controlled conglomerate while prime minister.

He has traveled since the coup to Dubai, Hong Kong, Nicaragua, Liberia and Montenegro in pursuit of investment opportunities.

Thaksin remains widely popular among Thailand's rural people and the urban poor, who benefited from his social welfare policies. He is still highly influential, rallying protesters in telephoned speeches from aboard.

His supporters say the Bangkok-centered elite is ignoring the mandate Thaksin won in two democratic elections because it feels its own privileges are threatened.