16/06/2009
EDITORIAL
Bangkok Post
The latest decision on Southeast Asia by US President Barack Obama is the second disturbing action by Washington affecting this region. Late last Friday, after the main news cycles for the week had elapsed, Mr Obama announced a major new policy initiative. The low-level statement that he was declaring Laos and Cambodia eligible for major US loans and trade concessions took the rest of the region by surprise.
The first visit to Southeast Asia by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton largely ignored the longest and strongest US allies. Now, the decision to give special treatment to Laos and Cambodia came as a bit of shock, including in Thailand.
Mr Obama's "determination" about each country was a brief official statement, posted at the White House media room and website. Such presidential determinations are legal obligations in many cases in the United States; these were the 20th and 21st of an early presidency. But as these statements showed, they are often "game changers" by the president. In these almost identical statements, Mr Obama declared that Laos and Cambodia are eligible to be beneficiaries of US Export-Import Bank loans for American businesses in those countries.
The reason, Mr Obama said, is that each "has ceased to be a Marxist-Leninist country".
Mr Obama was apparently not concerned with the nuances of Marxist evolution. It was mandatory to declare Laos and Cambodia were not communist countries in order to achieve his true goal - to provide millions, and perhaps billions, of investment capital for American businesses to set up, operate in and trade with the two neighbouring countries.
Mr Obama did not explain why he set this goal. Indeed, the manner of the announcement was to keep all questions and justification to a minimum.
This apparently was to stifle the negative reaction of political groups in the US who are appalled at the treatment of Hmong tribespeople by Laos.
A more important result, however, is that Mr Obama has created negative fallout in Thailand and the region.
The US Exim Bank rarely is involved with Thailand, and generally supports one-time sales rather than investment.
In 2003, it provided support for sales of Boeing 747 aircraft to Thai Airways International, and there are occasional cases where the bank has backed smaller deals. As the Thai economy has developed, the US Exim Bank has been an ever-smaller presence.
That is why Mr Obama's unexpected support for Laos and Cambodia disappointed many in Thailand. For years, Thai businesses have expanded into these countries. The overseas business expansion - ironically with the frequent support of the Exim Bank of Thailand - has been a major engine of Thai growth. This in turn has led to decreasing dependence upon foreign help and special programmes by Washington.
The sudden entry of the US Exim Bank into these Thai markets will affect Thai trade and the economy. By failing to warn and prepare Thai authorities and businesses, the Obama administration has created a shock that will have negative implications, at least at the start.
This problem could easily have been avoided had the White House warned of the coming decision and allowed time for diplomatic talks and business preparations. Failing to do so again begs the question of whether the United States is seriously engaged with its long-time allies in this region.
The first visit to Southeast Asia by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton largely ignored the longest and strongest US allies. Now, the decision to give special treatment to Laos and Cambodia came as a bit of shock, including in Thailand.
Mr Obama's "determination" about each country was a brief official statement, posted at the White House media room and website. Such presidential determinations are legal obligations in many cases in the United States; these were the 20th and 21st of an early presidency. But as these statements showed, they are often "game changers" by the president. In these almost identical statements, Mr Obama declared that Laos and Cambodia are eligible to be beneficiaries of US Export-Import Bank loans for American businesses in those countries.
The reason, Mr Obama said, is that each "has ceased to be a Marxist-Leninist country".
Mr Obama was apparently not concerned with the nuances of Marxist evolution. It was mandatory to declare Laos and Cambodia were not communist countries in order to achieve his true goal - to provide millions, and perhaps billions, of investment capital for American businesses to set up, operate in and trade with the two neighbouring countries.
Mr Obama did not explain why he set this goal. Indeed, the manner of the announcement was to keep all questions and justification to a minimum.
This apparently was to stifle the negative reaction of political groups in the US who are appalled at the treatment of Hmong tribespeople by Laos.
A more important result, however, is that Mr Obama has created negative fallout in Thailand and the region.
The US Exim Bank rarely is involved with Thailand, and generally supports one-time sales rather than investment.
In 2003, it provided support for sales of Boeing 747 aircraft to Thai Airways International, and there are occasional cases where the bank has backed smaller deals. As the Thai economy has developed, the US Exim Bank has been an ever-smaller presence.
That is why Mr Obama's unexpected support for Laos and Cambodia disappointed many in Thailand. For years, Thai businesses have expanded into these countries. The overseas business expansion - ironically with the frequent support of the Exim Bank of Thailand - has been a major engine of Thai growth. This in turn has led to decreasing dependence upon foreign help and special programmes by Washington.
The sudden entry of the US Exim Bank into these Thai markets will affect Thai trade and the economy. By failing to warn and prepare Thai authorities and businesses, the Obama administration has created a shock that will have negative implications, at least at the start.
This problem could easily have been avoided had the White House warned of the coming decision and allowed time for diplomatic talks and business preparations. Failing to do so again begs the question of whether the United States is seriously engaged with its long-time allies in this region.
30 comments:
Thailand dreams of keeping Cambodia and Laos under their economic reign is fading fast.
They should be happy if they have a true intention to help member of ASEAN block. This childish reaction show their true leadership style.
Thailand shows its great disappointment with US and feel jealous of Cambodia and Loa that will receive the great benefits from president Obama's decision.
Down with Thailand!
I cannot imagin how stupid thai react to this decision. Thanks president Obama for your decision.
Those countrie belong to ASEAN is like you local gambling house. No one respect anyone. Everyone for themself and takes advanced of the other. We don't see anyone of them helping cambodia or laos.
May things start to change soon.
Thailand is really afraid that Cambodia and Laos will boost their living standard much better than Thai.
Thailand is really afraid that US will invest in Cambodia and Laos.
Thailand is the greediest nation on earth.
KhmerPP,
I just can't believe the Bangkok Post is such an idiot and impractical to the reality. They main question should be asked is what they can get if they help Khmer?
If you don't, you are out of the competition, cowboy. Then, you will give the hungry Sao-Linh a free ride in Indochina. You will be no longer in control, of course not Cambodia, but Vietnam. And your reputation will never be resurrected!
Thailand has been dreaming about to control of Cambodia. But they can only dreaming. In reality Thailand should encourage it instead they reacted unprofessional. I can't imagine that Thailand behave as they thought they are the roll player in this region. If they think like that they should help Khmer from day one. Now came to Khmer Krom that Thailand arresting them. What a shame that is?
Even Laos, they don't respect Thai.
Laos doesn't need Thai so as Cambodia. They have been living without Thai so many years.
The US has shifted its political focus and influence in the region from Thailand and more to us Khmer, Vietnam, Laos, and Indonesia because we're all the states that are still up for grab in political influence in the region in response to Chinese expansion politically and economically.
Some political analyst said that Indonesia will be the next Thailand as the US main ally in the region because of its strategic location in term of coastal and naval control of the water that Chinese Navy will be navigating soon.
We're just the fingers that the super power play with. But let's hope that there is no baggage coming from this new found American support. I mean it is to our greatest satisfaction that China and US are competing against each other in order to spread their influence, which benefits us the customers once the sellers are competing. But, let's hope we won't be played and left for dead like in the 70's.
Long Live Kingdom of Cambodia. Prosperity is bestowing upon us all.
Thailand is a nation with shame.
Too many Katoey!!!!
ទោះយ៉ាងណាខែ្មរនៅតែឈ្នៈថៃជានិច្ច។
ពាក្យចាស់លោកពោលថា៖ខ្មែររត់ខូងដីថៃរត់ខូងថ្មរ។
Majority of Khmers in US voted for GOP John McCain.
Now Obama,a Democratic, did Cambodia a big favor.
We should know the truth that We live in the wicked world. And there no other nation love another nation. A nation will always try to and take away anything from another. Any relationship between nations is based mainly, if not only, on self interests. That does not mean we cannot have a good relationship between neighboring countries, But those relationship should base on mutual intersts and respect.
If one does not know this plain truth, one will only be easily fall into the traps set by apparent goodness and kindness of other nation far or near.
No one will see to our interest than ourself.
God only loves all people and He is good to all.
So turn only to God for any protection and guidance, provision and help in time of needs.
Let other rely on something else.
See, What the price Cambodia had paid in the past when we turned to France, to vietnam to china, to Usa for help?
God is jalous God, He loves his people and wants them to turn to him in time of needs. Judgment will fall upon us if we turn to foreign nations for it.
The US (Obama) will help Cambodia and Khmer Krom. He knew a lot of their suffering.
KhmerUS,
Give me a break- Thailand is where the constitutionally elected PM was ousted by the military.
Say what you want about Cambodia but they have had successful free and fair elections as adjudged by the international observers since the formation of the RGC. It is not a Marxist Leninist country anyway and really never was.
The preparations of the heart belong to man,But the answer of the tongue is from the lord...May God bless The Kingdom of Cambodia and The United States Of America!!!
We do need to watch out at the border. Based on US presdient's statement, Thai sleep not well. their hearts are pumping abnormal. Thai will release and through out pressures at us.
Red-Ant.
To me it seems the US built its big embassy for some surveillance issue. And indeed it needs to look out for Cambodia as well. This is a shield wall to watch over Cambodia too.
Thai and YOUN can dream whatever they want. But US won't let this two greedy nation to swallow Cambodia.
KhmerAmerican,
Kuwait and Iraq was an example the US won't let Iraq invade or control the smaller country like Kuwait.
50 years ago Ho Chi Minh can dream. But his dream is not going to happen.
Right now people or a nation can interact or associate with another nation within a blink. Very fast.
Khmerborder,
Hey! Since Khmer have retarded leader like HUN SEN that given the YOUN almost everything of course Thai wants some piece of pie too.
I wish Thai overthrow HUN SEN soon.
YALA, Thailand, June 15 (Reuters) - Suspected separatists beheaded a rubber tapper and shot dead a school janitor, both Buddhists, in the latest violence in Thailand's Muslim south, police said on Monday.
The attacks took place in Yala and Pattani, two of the three Malay Muslim provinces where 29 people have been killed and more than 50 injured in the past 10 days, among them soldiers, teachers and Buddhist monks.
The body and severed head of the rubber tapper was found in a house next to a plantation in Yala's Than To district. That added to more than 40 beheadings in the region since violence erupted in 2004.
The school janitor was shot dead by unknown gunmen while travelling to work on his motorcycle in Pattani, police said.
Attacks on Buddhists have increased since a shooting last week at a Narathiwat mosque, where unknown gunmen killed 10 Muslims at prayer and wounded 12 more.
Residents blamed security forces for the bloody attack, which the military said was the work of shadowy rebels seeking to cause sectarian rifts.
A labourer from northeastern Thailand was shot dead two days later and a note left at the scene said: "You kill our innocents, so we kill your people."
A Buddhist monk was killed and another critically injured on Friday when they were gunned down as they collected alms in Yala.
A report by Washington-based Nonviolence International released on Monday said the government's decision to arm Buddhist civilians and deregulate gun sales was deepening rifts between Muslims and the region's Buddhist minority.
The study said the policy had "heightened resentment among the Malay Muslim population towards the Thai state and raised the feeling of injustice and discrimination".
In a weekly televised address on Sunday, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajvia said development aid rather than tough security measures would be used to tackle the unrest, with increased investment in the region's fisheries and rubber and palm oil industries.
Mystery surrounds who is behind the violence in the deep south, which was an independent Malay Muslim sultanate until annexed by Buddhist Thailand a century ago.
No credible group has claimed responsibility for the near daily shootings, bombings and arson attacks in the region, where nearly 3,500 people have died in five years of unrest. (For a Q+A on the insurgency click on [ID:nBKK463005]) (Additional reporting by Kittipong Soonprasert in Bangkok) (Reporting by Surapan Boonthanom; Writing by Martin Petty; Editing by Alan Raybould)
now we know the country behind the influential decision of the USA. i hope the USA is observing and seeing cambodia for themselves before buying the thai bias view, of course, on cambodia and other neighboring countries. we all know that thailand is very bias partly because they always wanted the USA influence or economic monopoly to themselves; they forget that things tend to change over time, fortunately for cambodia. may god bless cambodia and our khmer people and citizens.
This article is even more stupid.
These editors at the Bangkok Post reveal a very ugly side of the Thai mentality when it comes to Laos and Cambodia.
These delusional editors actually believe that Laos and Cambodia are part of the ancient Siamese Empire and that any farang who wants to do business with Laos and Cambodia must go to Bangkok and get permission first.
Which century do these Bangkok Post editors live in?
Somebody need to shake those dolts and inform them that Laos and Cambodia are sovereign countries that can determine their own economic futures, and no foreigner need to bow down to the Chinese-Thai elite in Bangkok before doing business in the region.
Please go to this link:
http://www.globalpost.com/webblog/thailand/the-dark-side-the-bangkok-post-obamas-policy-laos-and-cambodia
Youn/Thai are arrogant neighbors compare to other countries in the region. They always look down on Khmer. They don’t want Khmer to grow and dream of keeping Khmer under their feet.
Austrian wanted to arm Cambodia in the past and Thai got objection to that purpose.
United States got a new leader and will treat smaller countries like Cambodia/Laos to that aspect. Stop jealous about that, Thai bandit!
Siam always treated Khmer as an inferior nation. Despite of our similarity in culture and religion, Siam and it citizens disregard us Khmer as brothers. Matter of fact, they are ashame if you mention to them that there are similarity between us and them. It is very sad and it is hard to believe that people with Buddhism in their heart can be so cruel with no compassion. Most of Khmers oversea understand exactly what I am talking about. Escaping the war through Siam's border, they treated us worse than dogs. Thousand of Khmers were killed and raped by these ruthless people. Therefore, the last thing that Siam want to see is our country prosperous to surpass them. Some time, we need to believe that it is true when they said that "what goes around comes around". There are a lot of problems in Thailand right now. I am not wishing anything bad to happen to Thailand, but their cruel pass actions will came back to bite them. Thailand issues with the Muslim on the southern border is a very good example of it. They treated these people as a second class citizen and now these people got tired of it and returned the favor by causing a lot of problems.
Thailand also had problems with other neighboring countries like Burma, and Laos. It won't be long before Siam realizing that they eventually need friends in the region. Yes, Thai did enjoyed their prosperity within the last decades due to wars around the region, but times has changed. People are more educated now thanks to technologies and media; therefore, siams people have to be smarter to catch up to the rest of the world by being more compassion to other human being because their superior atitude will not get them very far.
Why should US give money to Thailand if the Thai elites are too rich? and besides King Bhumibol owned every single shit in Thaialnd and his money is almost 40billion USD.
Obama is Marxist-Leninist and his ideology of spreading wealth is not just in the US but at outside too. If King Bhumibol Chakry starts to spreading his wealth to his poor people, Thailand may be able to get something.
May be ah Kmao OBM wants Thailand to join his Marxist-Leninist. Lao is purely Communist of Mao/Ho ruled by the Vietnamese wearling Lao names, and Cambodia is a mixed Kingdom: Dictatorship like Than Shwe of Burma, Communist like China/Vietnam, Socialist like Russia, Kingdom like Britain.
i hope thailand is having a heart attack because of this good news for cambodia and our people!
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