Kasit Piromya (left) said that comments that he made about Mr Hun Sen in a parliamentary debate had been incorrectly translated. -- PHOTO: AFP April 2, 2009
AFP
BANGKOK - THAILAND'S foreign minister has apologised for a 'misunderstanding' after being accused by Cambodian premier Hun Sen of calling him a gangster, officials said on Thursday.
Cambodian officials released a scanned copy of a letter from Kasit Piromya, the Thai minister, saying that comments that he made about Mr Hun Sen in a parliamentary debate had been incorrectly translated.
A furious Mr Hun Sen blasted Mr Kasit on Tuesday as he made a speech on tensions between the two countries, saying that the top Thai diplomat had insulted him and adding: 'He has called me a gangster.'
Mr Kasit's letter, dated April 1, said that 'Nak Laeng' - the Thai word he used to refer to Hun Sen - 'means a person who is lionhearted, a courageous and magnanimous gentleman'.
'Do kindly accept my deep apology for such an unfortunate incident and the unintentional cause of misunderstanding,' the letter continued.
A Thai foreign ministry confirmed that Mr Kasit had sent a letter to Mr Hun Sen.
A leading Thai dictionary shows that the word 'Nak Laeng' can have both of the meanings implied by Mr Hun Sen and Mr Kasit.
Mr Hun Sen launched the broadside against Mr Kasit shortly after warning Thailand to be prepared to fight if its troops crossed the disputed border between the two countries, where a deadly gunbattle erupted last year.
A Thai soldier lost a leg in a mine blast in the disputed region on Thursday.
Cambodian officials released a scanned copy of a letter from Kasit Piromya, the Thai minister, saying that comments that he made about Mr Hun Sen in a parliamentary debate had been incorrectly translated.
A furious Mr Hun Sen blasted Mr Kasit on Tuesday as he made a speech on tensions between the two countries, saying that the top Thai diplomat had insulted him and adding: 'He has called me a gangster.'
Mr Kasit's letter, dated April 1, said that 'Nak Laeng' - the Thai word he used to refer to Hun Sen - 'means a person who is lionhearted, a courageous and magnanimous gentleman'.
'Do kindly accept my deep apology for such an unfortunate incident and the unintentional cause of misunderstanding,' the letter continued.
A Thai foreign ministry confirmed that Mr Kasit had sent a letter to Mr Hun Sen.
A leading Thai dictionary shows that the word 'Nak Laeng' can have both of the meanings implied by Mr Hun Sen and Mr Kasit.
Mr Hun Sen launched the broadside against Mr Kasit shortly after warning Thailand to be prepared to fight if its troops crossed the disputed border between the two countries, where a deadly gunbattle erupted last year.
A Thai soldier lost a leg in a mine blast in the disputed region on Thursday.
8 comments:
Jaiyo Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen
shut up man
The evil CPP & Hun Sen are just using the Preah Vihear Temple issue (like they did in the last election) to distract Khmer people from other real important internal issues in Cambodia, such as the upcoming commune election, boarder marking with Vietnam, anti-corruption law, etc.
It's all a setup between the CPP and the Thai military. We (Khmer People - in Cambodia and living overseas) are the "Suckers"
For one thing, we must stop supporting the CPP propaganda machine - CTN television. They are slowly washing our brains.
Majority of Thais are very RACIST! They are the KKK of SEA.
12:39 PM
Choy Ah Sdech Ah Monster Sex maniac playboy Toukh-dearp Hun Sen!
--I am nobody
sure, we all knew your dirty tactics!
Regardless of the meaning of "Neak Laeng".
Hun Sen is a gangster.
by Victim of Hun Sen Khmer Rouge Regime.
Jeyo ! ah samdech Arkuk Sanar Boss Dey Dechooooo joy mray HUN XXXEEEEENNNNNNNN.
Meng Hok Seas
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