28/10/2009Bangkok Post
EDITORIAL
The government is out of line in blaming Gen Chavalit Yongchaiyudh for carrying bad news from Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen. The double-barrelled attack on the new Puea Thai Party convert by Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya is more a case of "shooting the messenger" than defending the Thai national interest. It is better to get the divisive and undiplomatic views of the Khmer leader out in the open, where they can be properly examined. The open and biased support for fugitive ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra is the responsibility of Mr Hun Sen, not Gen Chavalit.
That said, it also is clear that Gen Chavalit had his own motives for exposing the pro-Thaksin, anti-government stance of Mr Hun Sen. It is only difficult to accept that he acted against the country in publicising the stance of the Cambodian prime minister. Over the past year or more, Mr Hun Sen has become more aggressive in his statements against Thai authorities and Thailand in general. Last week's trip to Phnom Penh, when Gen Chavalit extracted the strong pro-Thaksin comments from Mr Hun Sen, finally made it clear why he has so frequently sought the chance to antagonise the Thai government and nation.
From mid-2008, after Thailand assumed the role of chairman of Asean, Mr Hun Sen has consistently taken hostile verbal pot-shots at the country. He tried to fan a movement to remove Thailand as Asean chairman, and continuously played up the disagreements over the border around Preah Vihear temple. Last month, in a vicious show of antagonism, Mr Hun Sen said he had ordered the Cambodian army to "shoot on sight" any Thai who intruded into what Cambodia claims as its border territory.
Many believed that Premier Hun Sen was acting loudly and aggressively in defence of his country - pandering dangerously to nationalist fervour, but at least acting in the interest of Cambodia. Thanks to the visit by Gen Chavalit, the motives behind the sharp anti-Thai statements have become clearer. Mr Hun Sen has now espoused his strong friendship with Mr Thaksin, and come clean on his belief that his friend has been victimised, in the manner of the democracy advocate Aung San Suu Kyi of Burma. That is a tough comparison even for strong Thaksin supporters to swallow; it only succeeded in angering Burmese democrats.
The government should not be attacking Gen Chavalit, but simply addressing problems with Cambodia with professional diplomacy. Gen Chavalit's trip to Cambodia has rubbed a raw spot between the two countries. But that is the fault of the stance of Mr Hun Sen. Gen Chavalit has said little out of line about Thaksin and his illegal self-exile. He favours some sort of amnesty for Thaksin, but in public, at least, has not supported statements by Mr Hun Sen implicating the government and courts in victimising Thaksin.
Mr Abhisit and Mr Kasit have simply stated the obvious by saying the government will not bow to pressure that might come from Gen Chavalit's foreign travels. Their duty is to defend the nation from unwarranted criticism from abroad. The only person running down Thailand lately has been Mr Hun Sen. Gen Chavalit, at worst, has exploited the government's attempt to cover up a serious breach of diplomacy by the Cambodian premier. Mr Hun Sen's own words, directed at Thailand and then repeated to the state-controlled media in Cambodia, make it clear what he thinks about this country, and why.
That said, it also is clear that Gen Chavalit had his own motives for exposing the pro-Thaksin, anti-government stance of Mr Hun Sen. It is only difficult to accept that he acted against the country in publicising the stance of the Cambodian prime minister. Over the past year or more, Mr Hun Sen has become more aggressive in his statements against Thai authorities and Thailand in general. Last week's trip to Phnom Penh, when Gen Chavalit extracted the strong pro-Thaksin comments from Mr Hun Sen, finally made it clear why he has so frequently sought the chance to antagonise the Thai government and nation.
From mid-2008, after Thailand assumed the role of chairman of Asean, Mr Hun Sen has consistently taken hostile verbal pot-shots at the country. He tried to fan a movement to remove Thailand as Asean chairman, and continuously played up the disagreements over the border around Preah Vihear temple. Last month, in a vicious show of antagonism, Mr Hun Sen said he had ordered the Cambodian army to "shoot on sight" any Thai who intruded into what Cambodia claims as its border territory.
Many believed that Premier Hun Sen was acting loudly and aggressively in defence of his country - pandering dangerously to nationalist fervour, but at least acting in the interest of Cambodia. Thanks to the visit by Gen Chavalit, the motives behind the sharp anti-Thai statements have become clearer. Mr Hun Sen has now espoused his strong friendship with Mr Thaksin, and come clean on his belief that his friend has been victimised, in the manner of the democracy advocate Aung San Suu Kyi of Burma. That is a tough comparison even for strong Thaksin supporters to swallow; it only succeeded in angering Burmese democrats.
The government should not be attacking Gen Chavalit, but simply addressing problems with Cambodia with professional diplomacy. Gen Chavalit's trip to Cambodia has rubbed a raw spot between the two countries. But that is the fault of the stance of Mr Hun Sen. Gen Chavalit has said little out of line about Thaksin and his illegal self-exile. He favours some sort of amnesty for Thaksin, but in public, at least, has not supported statements by Mr Hun Sen implicating the government and courts in victimising Thaksin.
Mr Abhisit and Mr Kasit have simply stated the obvious by saying the government will not bow to pressure that might come from Gen Chavalit's foreign travels. Their duty is to defend the nation from unwarranted criticism from abroad. The only person running down Thailand lately has been Mr Hun Sen. Gen Chavalit, at worst, has exploited the government's attempt to cover up a serious breach of diplomacy by the Cambodian premier. Mr Hun Sen's own words, directed at Thailand and then repeated to the state-controlled media in Cambodia, make it clear what he thinks about this country, and why.
8 comments:
Bravo Ah Samdach Khwak Hun Xen! Overall, you are not stupid at all for an ex-8th grade educated Cambodian kid.
Divide, let the Thai kill each others and get all the attention out of Preah Vihear.
The editor, dont you think it's better to warn someone that do not enter into your house than cold blood shooting like the siam solders have treated defenseless cambodians. Your better have some second thoughts before publishing this rubbish idea. Your should also remind yourself and your ass yellow siams that Preah Vihea belongs only cambodia, and that it was siam extremists unfortunately used it for their political powers, that include the two ..sits
Cambodia Town
Long Beach, Ca
Samdech Deycho Hun Sen has got bigger Lyon (Thaksin Shinawatra)from Siam popular Red shirt to defense our Cambodian national interest. In contrast, Siam Privy Council, PAD should negociate for Thaksin's amnesty before the situation getting worst.
New Phally
Cambodia Town
Long Beach, Ca
Samdech Deycho Hun Sen has got bigger Lyon (Thaksin Shinawatra)from Siam popular Red shirt to defense our Cambodian national interest. In contrast, Siam Privy Council, PAD should negociate for Thaksin's amnesty before the situation getting worst.
New Phally
Hey, Bankock Post prejudice editor. I am not sure what makes you call PM Hun Sen a serious breach of diplomacy at Thailand. You Thai thug are not only violate of diplomacy but also ignore the world court verdict about Preah Vihear is Cambodian’s property. Think of your country before you call other country’s leader being dishonor. Your article is bias to some viewers!
Dear Sirs,
May I recall the Thai government diplomacy toward Cambodia since the last year trouble around Preah Vihear Temple issue.
There were three meetings to solve the problem but the Thai side always have had prejudice and argument to turn around the issue.
The Joint Border Committee (JBC) meetings has no result. So why the Cambodian side should show this kind of slapping in the face because the talks were the waste of time, money and effort.
Thailand was made of former Khmer Empire Land (as well as Burmese, Lao and Malay Lands)by trespassing from Southern most of China down to the actual border at the Dangrek Hill. And now an additional 4.6sqkm of Cambodian Land around Preah Vihear is a would-be-swallowed by the Thai extremists who cause trouble to the relationship between Cambodia and Thailand. The Yellow shirts are illegally fighting for power to Mr. Abhishit by using the Cambodian Temple and 4.6sqkm Land as a pretext for this political gain.
Cambodians are determining to protect our Land at any cost but we try to forget the history of losing our Land by the Siamese invaders since the 14th to 19th centuries.
Thailand must show a goodwill and straight talks about the Temple issue and the border line. Thai government should do better action toward Cambodia and to teach the true history to Thai people and not the made-up history and map.
Thank for your kind consideration.
Ly
Mr. Ly
No Khmer will forget our lost lands, which shall be returned to the rightful owners, one way or another.
Believe it or not, it's written in the Stars.
I think Thaksin will make a come back against King Phumipol and his clan via Koh Kong and internal uprising from Thai peasants (Red shirts). Phumibol's ancestor, King Yodfa Chulaloke (Rama I), Killed and beheaded King Taksin (first Thai King of Teochew Chinese descent) on April 7, 1782 . This will be a revenge and curse of the Chakri Die-Nasty! From Phra Chao Taksin Maharaj to future Somdej Thaksin!!
Post a Comment