BANGKOK, Nov 29 (IPS) - For years, Thais affected an air of superiority when talking about their regional neighbours on mainland South-east Asia. Such pride came from the country’s record of political stability -- despite numerous coups -- that attracted foreign investment.
But the siege of Bangkok’s international airport by a right-wing anti-government protest movement, which entered its fourth day on Saturday, is shredding the superior edge Thailand had enjoyed.
This is the fourth airport in the country that this right-wing movement has succeeded in shutting down since it took to the streets in May to force a democratically elected government to resign.
And the countries that Thais looked down with contempt, the much poorer Cambodia and Laos, are asking deeply embarrassing questions of Thailand.
Cambodia and Laos have queried if Thailand is in a position to host a summit of South-east Asian leaders planned to be held in mid-December in the northern city of Chiang Mai.
‘’They said so on Wednesday, after the Suvarnabhumi airport was taken over,’’ a Bangkok-based South-east Asian diplomat, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told IPS. ‘’These are concerns that even others have begun to ask.’’
Vietnam joined that list by Thursday, increasing the pressure on Bangkok to postpone the annual leaders’ meeting of the Association of South-east Asian Nations (ASEAN).
And by the week’s end, two of the region’s more prosperous nations, Singapore and Malaysia, also had messages that have painted Thailand into an unenviable corner due to a situation on the ground that hovers between anarchy and mob rule.
‘’We are very troubled by it. We hope that all groups in Thailand will have the political will to compromise and find a way out for the country,’’ Singapore Foreign Minister George Yeo was quoted as having told Channel News Asia, a television station based in the affluent city-state. ‘’The tourism industry is badly affected. I worry that the ASEAN summit will be affected.’’
Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi is reported to be in two minds about attending the Chiang Mai summit, the national news agency, Bernama, revealed. Abdullah is the first of ASEAN’s leaders to say so, although the reason he gives is a valid one -- the summit coincides with an important parliamentary session.
‘’All this will be deeply embarrassing for Thais, especially the questions being asked from the smaller countries on mainland South-east Asia,’’ says Puangthong Pawakapan, a political scientist at the international relations department at Bangkok’s Chulalongkorn University. ‘’It shows how neighbours are perceiving us as a country out of control. Our reputation for economic, political and social stability has been lost.’’
‘’Even if the government takes back the airport, the damage to Thailand’s reputation cannot be mended soon,’’ she explained in an interview. ‘’In no other country in the world have protesters been able to take over a major international airport and hold it for so many days.’’
Bangkok, however, is still keen on sticking to the original plans as the host of the 14th ASEAN summit, since a change will cost the country’s already beleaguered reputation more damage. ‘’I have not decided whether to postpone (the summit), but to postpone it will damage our country’s image,’’ Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat told reporters on Friday.
ASEAN, which was founded in 1967 as a bulwark against the spread of communism in the region during the height of the Cold War, is a 10-member bloc. It includes Brunei, Burma, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.
The call to postpone the summit comes after Thailand already took a desperate decision to change the venue of the summit due to the anti-government protests led by the Peoples Alliance for Democracy (PAD).
The announcement in October, to shift the venue from Bangkok to Chiang Mai, came after the PAD ratcheted up its campaign to cripple the Somchai administration, resulting in a clash with the police outside the parliament, where two protesters were killed and hundreds injured.
The PAD, despite its name, does not have expanding electoral democracy as a goal. It is calling for the military to stage another coup -- the country’s 19th -- and wants to impose a political regime that drastically cuts the one-citizen-one-vote rule and replace it with a parliament where 70 percent of the legislators are appointed.
Its well-organised campaigns, forcefully taking over symbols of power, such as occupying the prime minister’s office since late August, and surrounding the parliament to prevent the legislature from sitting, have preceded the current takeover of Suvarnabhumi airport, a vital economic lifeline to Thailand.
The PAD, which is backed by middle-class urban Thais, royalists and the entrenched elite, has also won the backing of influential figures in this kingdom. Ignored, consequently, are the voices of the country’s majority, most of who are rural poor, who closed ranks to vote for the current six-party coalition government at last December’s polls.
The PAD’s success -- and implied sympathy towards it by the country’s powerful military -- has also resulted in another unprecedented feature in Thai politics, justifying the concerns of stability raised by some ASEAN countries. Somchai, the premier, has opted to abandon Bangkok and seek refuge in Chiang Mai, the home town of his wife, where support for the government is high.
‘’As there are still uncertainties in the tensions between the government and army, for his safety the prime minister will stay in Chiang Mai,’’ government spokesman Suparat Nakbunnam was quoted as having told the AFP news agency. ‘’He has no schedule to return to Bangkok, he will stay in Chiang Mai indefinitely for his security.’’
The inability of the government to function also lessens the prospect of Thailand failing to get parliament’s approval of trade deals vital for ASEAN’s economic agenda. The country needs to get the legislature’s backing for 30 agreements, including an ASEAN-India free trade agreement and an ASEAN-South Korea free trade agreement.
‘’Thailand as the host and chairman of the summit would lose face as it would be the only ASEAN member unable to sign the agreements,’’ Noppadon Sarawasi, deputy director-general of the trade negotiations department, warned this week, according to the ‘Bangkok Post’ newspaper. ‘’This would affect the confidence in its leadership in the ASEAN region.’’
But the siege of Bangkok’s international airport by a right-wing anti-government protest movement, which entered its fourth day on Saturday, is shredding the superior edge Thailand had enjoyed.
This is the fourth airport in the country that this right-wing movement has succeeded in shutting down since it took to the streets in May to force a democratically elected government to resign.
And the countries that Thais looked down with contempt, the much poorer Cambodia and Laos, are asking deeply embarrassing questions of Thailand.
Cambodia and Laos have queried if Thailand is in a position to host a summit of South-east Asian leaders planned to be held in mid-December in the northern city of Chiang Mai.
‘’They said so on Wednesday, after the Suvarnabhumi airport was taken over,’’ a Bangkok-based South-east Asian diplomat, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told IPS. ‘’These are concerns that even others have begun to ask.’’
Vietnam joined that list by Thursday, increasing the pressure on Bangkok to postpone the annual leaders’ meeting of the Association of South-east Asian Nations (ASEAN).
And by the week’s end, two of the region’s more prosperous nations, Singapore and Malaysia, also had messages that have painted Thailand into an unenviable corner due to a situation on the ground that hovers between anarchy and mob rule.
‘’We are very troubled by it. We hope that all groups in Thailand will have the political will to compromise and find a way out for the country,’’ Singapore Foreign Minister George Yeo was quoted as having told Channel News Asia, a television station based in the affluent city-state. ‘’The tourism industry is badly affected. I worry that the ASEAN summit will be affected.’’
Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi is reported to be in two minds about attending the Chiang Mai summit, the national news agency, Bernama, revealed. Abdullah is the first of ASEAN’s leaders to say so, although the reason he gives is a valid one -- the summit coincides with an important parliamentary session.
‘’All this will be deeply embarrassing for Thais, especially the questions being asked from the smaller countries on mainland South-east Asia,’’ says Puangthong Pawakapan, a political scientist at the international relations department at Bangkok’s Chulalongkorn University. ‘’It shows how neighbours are perceiving us as a country out of control. Our reputation for economic, political and social stability has been lost.’’
‘’Even if the government takes back the airport, the damage to Thailand’s reputation cannot be mended soon,’’ she explained in an interview. ‘’In no other country in the world have protesters been able to take over a major international airport and hold it for so many days.’’
Bangkok, however, is still keen on sticking to the original plans as the host of the 14th ASEAN summit, since a change will cost the country’s already beleaguered reputation more damage. ‘’I have not decided whether to postpone (the summit), but to postpone it will damage our country’s image,’’ Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat told reporters on Friday.
ASEAN, which was founded in 1967 as a bulwark against the spread of communism in the region during the height of the Cold War, is a 10-member bloc. It includes Brunei, Burma, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.
The call to postpone the summit comes after Thailand already took a desperate decision to change the venue of the summit due to the anti-government protests led by the Peoples Alliance for Democracy (PAD).
The announcement in October, to shift the venue from Bangkok to Chiang Mai, came after the PAD ratcheted up its campaign to cripple the Somchai administration, resulting in a clash with the police outside the parliament, where two protesters were killed and hundreds injured.
The PAD, despite its name, does not have expanding electoral democracy as a goal. It is calling for the military to stage another coup -- the country’s 19th -- and wants to impose a political regime that drastically cuts the one-citizen-one-vote rule and replace it with a parliament where 70 percent of the legislators are appointed.
Its well-organised campaigns, forcefully taking over symbols of power, such as occupying the prime minister’s office since late August, and surrounding the parliament to prevent the legislature from sitting, have preceded the current takeover of Suvarnabhumi airport, a vital economic lifeline to Thailand.
The PAD, which is backed by middle-class urban Thais, royalists and the entrenched elite, has also won the backing of influential figures in this kingdom. Ignored, consequently, are the voices of the country’s majority, most of who are rural poor, who closed ranks to vote for the current six-party coalition government at last December’s polls.
The PAD’s success -- and implied sympathy towards it by the country’s powerful military -- has also resulted in another unprecedented feature in Thai politics, justifying the concerns of stability raised by some ASEAN countries. Somchai, the premier, has opted to abandon Bangkok and seek refuge in Chiang Mai, the home town of his wife, where support for the government is high.
‘’As there are still uncertainties in the tensions between the government and army, for his safety the prime minister will stay in Chiang Mai,’’ government spokesman Suparat Nakbunnam was quoted as having told the AFP news agency. ‘’He has no schedule to return to Bangkok, he will stay in Chiang Mai indefinitely for his security.’’
The inability of the government to function also lessens the prospect of Thailand failing to get parliament’s approval of trade deals vital for ASEAN’s economic agenda. The country needs to get the legislature’s backing for 30 agreements, including an ASEAN-India free trade agreement and an ASEAN-South Korea free trade agreement.
‘’Thailand as the host and chairman of the summit would lose face as it would be the only ASEAN member unable to sign the agreements,’’ Noppadon Sarawasi, deputy director-general of the trade negotiations department, warned this week, according to the ‘Bangkok Post’ newspaper. ‘’This would affect the confidence in its leadership in the ASEAN region.’’
10 comments:
The thais are getting what they deserve. No pity from me.
All investors and tourists come to cambodia. we have a young eager hard working population.
Ah Siem Achkri deserve that!
Good, good news, Siam are very bad nation, Siam always thought that they are the best, yes they are the best coz more girl and lady-boy for tourist and biger stronger country compare to all ASEAN, but look at now the two smallest, Cambodia and Lao, were give a push to postpone the summit, and the smart ass Vietnam are staying behind these two small coutry. The Viet does not want to upsad Thai right away, Viet are alway a smart ass to use Khmer and Lao to upsad Thai and other south east asia bloc.
But we do not wory about this Viet any more, Lao and Khmer should be together to remove the (under controlled) by Vietnam.
And Burma plus Khmer must be joining melitary force to secure ourself from invading by Ah dog Siam too.
Looks like it will be civil war in thailand. Let them taste war and killings, then they will know what Cambodia, vietnam and Laos went through.
Looking forward to looking down on them.
I'm so happy seeing Thais killing each other... Time will come, Siem will be soon rank below Khmer... lolz Is this time for Khmer to Shine?
What made bomb going off in thai's government house not long ago? and Guess who got iinjured? The protesters. They're asking for more. that's for sure and just forget about Thailand's being a chair person. She cann't! There is no way. Those protesters also they love their king. Guess waht day is Dec.5th? Well king, you just won't get any B-Day's ceremony and you should know, who's lying to you?
Saturday, November 29, 2008
Exploring Vietnam-Cambodia relationship activity
Noticeably, many CPP's top leaders have taken turn to visit VN. Each visit has different purposes; some are official, some are personal exchange visit, some are routine trip...but what we have observed is that the same phrase and same sentence have been repeating again and again by Vietnam top leaders.
Do you hear "the development of VN-Cambodia friendship and co-operation"? VN has enhanced its strategy from burning Cambodia into piece by war during Sihanoukist, LonNolist, and PolPotist regime; VN 90 degree changed its policy through cold tactic under HunSenist regime. But it is on a good time and a good policy because the premise of murderous policy of KR is sufficient enough for VN to dominate and take over Cambodia.
The phrase "co-operation, comprehensive understanding, as well as strengthening or accelerating this relationship culture" has been well stipulated in the agreement with Cambodia signed by Hun Sen, Chea Sim, and Heng Samrin under the conspiracy theory used to rescuing Cambodia crusade headed by VN.
This agreement has tied all CPP's heads to mobilize in that path. The death of Hok Lundy significantly triggered VN to make sure that their followers are still honest to them. And the aging of those CPP top leaders intensifies VN to think of their future achievement over Cambodia. But the structure and leadership of CPP has been well established by VN to ensure its domination policy over Cambodia. Or we can say "CPP survives, VN's domination policy surely survives".
Trips to VN have been routinely and monthly made by every top leaders of CPP. Counting from top Buddhist monk leaders, to permanent members of CPP, policemen and military...etc, all have made both public and un-public visit to VN.
VN will not allow Cambodia to live freely and happily for self-determination and self-rights. The VN-Cambodia agreement for 20 years ended in 2005 (recorded since 1979/1980/1981 outstanding agreement signed by Hun Sen, Heng Samrin and Chea Sim). But VN can step to other pace by creating a new agreement on controversial border treaty in 2005. This treaty can renew VN's domination policy towards Cambodia to another decades as its support with the border markers as well as other development projects along the border will not be easily finished.
Many premises VN has created to tie its formers followers such as KR atrocity, border treaty, development project in the triangle spot, economic co-operation, and other utility supported by VN such as setting up radio station etc.
New approach of VN to keep their status quo of continuing dominate Cambodia is to make sure that all important Cambodian leaders have paid a visit to VN and signed the paper in front of their state leaders. In the past, the vessel countries would pay tribute to their boss/dominant countries, but modernity, vessel countries just frequently make their trip to pay a visit, sign an agreement and admire each other for their long term friendship integrity. But how integrity when a giant is talking with a small ant.
Cambodia might not be able to escape from the jaw of VN under the leadership of CPP. Though the open horizon of Cambodian international relations has been increasing to many other third world such as China, America, and Europe; but this border opening policy has entirely followed on the trace of VN. Remember, Cambodia became the tenth member of ASEA precisely under the auspices of VN. When VN says "YES", Cambodia can engage and marry with other countries or get license to become a member; but when VN say "NO", Cambodia will not move any further, and some time Cambodian top leaders can conduct violence to their own citizens such as the humaliation towards Khmer Kampuchea Krom and hostile the Buddhist monks protested VN embassy etc to favor their boss.
Regional co-operation is good for Cambodia, but VN-Lao-Cambodia co-operation is tantamount to the loss of Cambodia self-determination and self-rights. Under CPP's leadership, the legality to guarantee Cambodia sovereign integrity has been totally dismissed because CPP is afraid of utilizing Paris Peace Agreement for its foreign policy.
What do you think and who do you project your thought on behalf of Cambodian younger generation to this tricky policy of VN?
KY
Further information on Vietnam's domination policy towards Cambodia
A country that has power, military, money, poluation and good leadership usually have influence on the others. Just like the US who has influenced almost every corner. The problem is our own Khmer leaders. If they are stupid, they will just be in that tricks. If our leaders can take advanatges of the peace and relationship to build a strong Cambodia independently from the VN, we are still in good position. For example: having strong relationship with the west or China to make sure that we have backup could also help cut the influence of VN. Try to study the leadership structure of Vietnam and their diplomatic relationships could also help. I think VN soldiers are committeed and trust their leaders; trying to understand that could also help Cambodia. Ancient Khmers compared VN to Sromoach Yuon, I think because they are committed. But, still Khmers need to understand that.
This is should be the other way around.
I am Cambodian, I am looking down at Thailand for being ignorant and stupid and not being a roll model in this region.
If I see Thai PM and Thai's king I really want to spit on them.
Stupid mother fucking Thai!!
Khmer4ever,
I'm surprised that the PAD protesters did not storm Jitlada palace and Wang Glai Kangwon!
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