PHNOM PENH: Cambodia recalled its ambassador to Thailand on Thursday, the deputy prime minister said just hours after Bangkok pulled its envoy in a row over Phnom Penh's job offer to former Thai leader Thaksin Shinawatra.

"To reciprocate the recall of Thailand's ambassador-designate, the Royal Government of Cambodia decided to recall its ambassador for the time being but regards this only as a temporary measure," Deputy Prime Minister Sok An said.

Sok An told a news conference in Phnom Penh that the Cambodian envoy would be sent back to Bangkok "only after Thailand has sent its ambassador-designate to Cambodia".

The Cambodian government announced the appointment of Thaksin as an economic adviser late Wednesday, riling Bangkok as it attempts to bring the billionaire tycoon home to face justice three years after he was ousted in a coup.

Thailand said earlier Thursday that it was withdrawing ambassador Prasas Prasasvinitchai from Cambodia in retaliation for Cambodia's "interference" in Thai politics.

Ties between the two countries have been strained since July 2008 by a series of deadly border clashes over land surrounding an 11th century Cambodian temple after it was granted UN World Heritage status.