PHNOM PENH - Cambodia has appointed the ousted Prime Minister of Thailand, Thaksin Shinawatra, as a government adviser on the economy, a move likely to further deteriorate relations with the government in Bangkok.

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen's public embrace of Thaksin - a deeply divisive figure in Thailand - follows a border dispute that has led to deadly military skirmishes over the past year and a half. State television said King Norodom Sihamoni had officially approved Thaksin's appointment.

Thaksin has been living mostly in self-imposed exile since he was ousted in a 2006 military coup 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last year of violating a conflict of interest law and sentenced to two years in prison, and his Thai passport has been revoked. Thai officials claim he is trying to undermine the government to regain power.

- AP