Veera Prateepchaikul
Bangkok Post
Friends and supporters of Aung San Suu Kyi, Burma's iconic democracy crusader, may have felt insulted by Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Sen when he tried to compare her with his so-called "eternal friend", exiled former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.
"Many people are talking about Mrs Suu Kyi of Burma. Why can't I talk about the victim, Thaksin?" said Hun Sen during his face-off with the media on Friday when he arrived in Hua Hin for the Asean summit.
The Cambodian prime minister's attempt to liken Thaksin to Mrs Suu Kyi as both were victims of separate military coups in Thailand and Burma was simplistic and ignorant of the huge difference in characteristics and dedication to democracy between the two people, not to mention the political backgrounds leading to their overthrow.
"Without the coup d'etat in 2006, such a thing would not have happened," said Hun Sen.
But what would have happened without the coup then? No one then seemed to have the right answer although they agreed that the political stalemate would drag on until either side in the conflict - the Thaksin government on one side and the People's Alliance for Democracy on the other - lost their patience. Then what, bloodshed? But would Hun Sen care?
I don't think he would as the only thing he cares about is that he lost a powerful friend in Thailand who seemed to have done him and his family a lot of favours to the point that his wife had tears in her eyes when she learned about Thaksin's fate.
Hun Sen insisted his remarks about Thaksin did not constitute interference in Thailand's domestic affairs. He was quoted to have said: "This is just moral support from me. As one million Thai people of the red shirt group support Thaksin, why can't I, as a friend from afar, support Thaksin?"
But I beg to differ. His first remark, which was first conveyed to the Thai people by former prime minister and Puea Thai Party chairman Chavalit Yongchaiyudh and then repeated upon his arrival here for the Asean summit, amounted to direct interference in Thailand's internal affairs. They also demonstrated his complete lack of any diplomatic decency and statesmanship.
Hun Sen's remarks should have pleased the Puea Thai Party and the red shirt people. In the meantime, they have incensed the yellow shirt people as well as many non-partisan Thais who despise a foreigner like a Cambodian interfering in our worst politically divisive issue.
It has been widely known that Hun Sen and Thaksin have had a close relationship through their business dealings and it was believed that the fugitive ex-premier had, on various occasions, slipped into Cambodia. But then why did the Cambodian premier choose to make public his sympathy and support for Thaksin now - at first through Gen Chavalit and then by himself at the Asean summit - despite the fact that the coup which toppled the Thaksin regime took place more than three years ago?
Was it intended to embarrass Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva? The answer was already loud and clear as Mr Abhisit appeared to be disturbed by Hun Sen's remarks and hit back at the latter. "What is the purpose of Prime Minster Hun Sen coming to Thailand?" said Mr Abhisit during a press conference on Friday. Was he coached by Gen Chavalit whose one-day visit to Phnom Penh, which came two days ahead of the Asean summit, seemed quite untimely if not suspicious?
As a shrewd politician who has survived in Cambodian politics for decades while many of his arch-rivals have all lost out or faded into oblivion, I don't think Hun Sen needs coaching. After having deliberately made unprovoked inflammatory remarks against Thailand on various occasions, including his order for Cambodian troops at the border to shoot any Thais who trespass on the disputed territories or his recent announcement to Cambodian students that he would tear up the Thai map pertaining to the Thai-Cambodian border if it does not correspond with the one held by Phnom Penh, Hun Sen, this time, may think that he wants to have a hand in Thai politics. And he has chosen to take Thaksin's side probably believing that the fugitive ex-premier will definitely be able to stage a political comeback in the not too distant future.
Even Thaksin himself is not certain whether or when he will be able to return in triumph.
Since Hun Sen has laid out his hand, it remains to be seen whether Thaksin and his Puea Thai Party will join hands with Cambodia to fulfil the fugitive ex-premier's wish for a political comeback.
Veera Prateepchaikul is a former editor, Post Publishing Co Ltd.
"Many people are talking about Mrs Suu Kyi of Burma. Why can't I talk about the victim, Thaksin?" said Hun Sen during his face-off with the media on Friday when he arrived in Hua Hin for the Asean summit.
The Cambodian prime minister's attempt to liken Thaksin to Mrs Suu Kyi as both were victims of separate military coups in Thailand and Burma was simplistic and ignorant of the huge difference in characteristics and dedication to democracy between the two people, not to mention the political backgrounds leading to their overthrow.
"Without the coup d'etat in 2006, such a thing would not have happened," said Hun Sen.
But what would have happened without the coup then? No one then seemed to have the right answer although they agreed that the political stalemate would drag on until either side in the conflict - the Thaksin government on one side and the People's Alliance for Democracy on the other - lost their patience. Then what, bloodshed? But would Hun Sen care?
I don't think he would as the only thing he cares about is that he lost a powerful friend in Thailand who seemed to have done him and his family a lot of favours to the point that his wife had tears in her eyes when she learned about Thaksin's fate.
Hun Sen insisted his remarks about Thaksin did not constitute interference in Thailand's domestic affairs. He was quoted to have said: "This is just moral support from me. As one million Thai people of the red shirt group support Thaksin, why can't I, as a friend from afar, support Thaksin?"
But I beg to differ. His first remark, which was first conveyed to the Thai people by former prime minister and Puea Thai Party chairman Chavalit Yongchaiyudh and then repeated upon his arrival here for the Asean summit, amounted to direct interference in Thailand's internal affairs. They also demonstrated his complete lack of any diplomatic decency and statesmanship.
Hun Sen's remarks should have pleased the Puea Thai Party and the red shirt people. In the meantime, they have incensed the yellow shirt people as well as many non-partisan Thais who despise a foreigner like a Cambodian interfering in our worst politically divisive issue.
It has been widely known that Hun Sen and Thaksin have had a close relationship through their business dealings and it was believed that the fugitive ex-premier had, on various occasions, slipped into Cambodia. But then why did the Cambodian premier choose to make public his sympathy and support for Thaksin now - at first through Gen Chavalit and then by himself at the Asean summit - despite the fact that the coup which toppled the Thaksin regime took place more than three years ago?
Was it intended to embarrass Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva? The answer was already loud and clear as Mr Abhisit appeared to be disturbed by Hun Sen's remarks and hit back at the latter. "What is the purpose of Prime Minster Hun Sen coming to Thailand?" said Mr Abhisit during a press conference on Friday. Was he coached by Gen Chavalit whose one-day visit to Phnom Penh, which came two days ahead of the Asean summit, seemed quite untimely if not suspicious?
As a shrewd politician who has survived in Cambodian politics for decades while many of his arch-rivals have all lost out or faded into oblivion, I don't think Hun Sen needs coaching. After having deliberately made unprovoked inflammatory remarks against Thailand on various occasions, including his order for Cambodian troops at the border to shoot any Thais who trespass on the disputed territories or his recent announcement to Cambodian students that he would tear up the Thai map pertaining to the Thai-Cambodian border if it does not correspond with the one held by Phnom Penh, Hun Sen, this time, may think that he wants to have a hand in Thai politics. And he has chosen to take Thaksin's side probably believing that the fugitive ex-premier will definitely be able to stage a political comeback in the not too distant future.
Even Thaksin himself is not certain whether or when he will be able to return in triumph.
Since Hun Sen has laid out his hand, it remains to be seen whether Thaksin and his Puea Thai Party will join hands with Cambodia to fulfil the fugitive ex-premier's wish for a political comeback.
Veera Prateepchaikul is a former editor, Post Publishing Co Ltd.
21 comments:
What do you expect from mr hunsen? he's got motored mouth and flapping chins. you can't count on what he says. best thing to do is ignore his words
Exactly, P.M. Hun Sen just farted and the whole world start to analyze it? just let it go! the current Thai government should be afraid of the real tiger but instead they are afraid at the sight of Tiger excrement? (I meant at the sight of Thaksin)
Remember that Thai and Cambodia cannot go into war and if it does it would last more than a month unless there are some backing from China,U.S., and Vietnam.
Just drop this stupid subject would you! there are other important things to worry about instead of worrying about Ach Khla!
I don't think hun sen is astute or premeditated his actions. he is a short tempered arrogant jungle hyena.
he just wanted revenge on the thais because they invited sam raimsy who cticised the hun sen and his government on thai tv. so he invited chavit to cambodia and publicly supported thaksin. tit for tat. those are actions of a thug but not a statesman.
the last time he blew his fuse was when the thai FM called him a bandit.
get rid of this jungle hyena
Veera Prateepchaikul is just blah...blah...blah...blah...blah..
What ah Veera has said is subject to interpretation and speculation!
These fucken Siems just take thing out of context! Tell me that Takshin and Aung Suu Kyi is a victim politic! Hey...one is exile out of the country and the one is exile inside the country! Both are at the mercy of their own government!
Shame on Thai King!
Brmma and Taksin
Yes they Sushi shuu kyi...
Because current Thai govt had the King Bihind, what they did is always right...
For Thai KING is Their God..
hehehe Thais you have to re-think about this.
When you count human being has god.. son the real God will punish you whole nation.
Since Hun Sen was a Khmer Rouge commander, now a Khmer Rouge leader and had many of his political opponents assassinated, I wonder if he have any plan to assassinate the Thai Prime Minister (Abhisit Vejjajiva)?
All these neighboring countries' leaders know quite well who Hun Sen is, and his background. They don't waste their respect for this barbarian of Cambodia.
If this commentator wants to be regarded as UNBIASED, he/she should have added "Thai's unilaterally drawn map" ... If Thai ignores the international treaties signed by its own government, who can talk to Thais? Hun Sen's order to tear the map is very right.
Usually the thais do a good job hiding their barbaric acts behind a facade of civilty and cool. But this time they lost their cool and showed their dirty laundry to the World to see. Hun Sen must have done something right to provoke the thais into showing their true colors.
Agree with you 10:27am.
The elite and powerful Thugs in Thailand viewed Thaksin as a criminal who was elected by the majority of Thai people?
Abhisit and his thugs use Khmers' Preah Vihear to cover their own crimes in Thailand. Not even that Abhisit and his thugs disrespect the international law.
For a man like Thaksin who fought to free his million poor Thai people from the world richest dictator King should be considered as a great hero.
Now the thugs in Thailand try to stir Burmese people to hate Thaksin and Hun Sen?
I too say Hun Sen is very right.
As Veera has said- Hun Sen is a shrewed politician. Hun Sen is a political street fighter, a chesk player who is a step ahead. Since the Thai allowed Sam Rainsy a platform to attack his government in Cambodia, and the Thai are still occupying Preah Vihear area, Hun Sen believes that he can use his friend Thaksin to attack his ennemies, Abbhisit and the Thai PAD who are the common ennemies of Thaksin and the Hun Sen . Now you get it rght, your enemies are my enemies.
It is very hard to think about political in cambodia between chai people and very difficult to understand each other so we shouldn't think too much about this problem. no one can stop this problem that happened to cambodia people long time ago.Hun Sen does not mean he is good or righ. no one can know his mind always he change his mind, and invite thia people come to him.
You think Hun Sen did good ?it is not right.he is a powerful man in cambodia. no one can stop him
I like Hun Sen but i don;t like his talkative a person.
It's amazing that the Thais pay a lot of attention to Hun Sen's remarks.
This Thai author must tell the readers the differences between:
1. Hun Sen ordered the Khmer soldiers to should Thais for trespassing Khmer territory, but no Thais soldiers or civilians were shot before or after the order. No Thais civilian or soldier died on Khmer soil for trespassing.
And
2. On the other hand, the Thais soldiers shot and burned alive the Khmer teenager for crossing and alleged of illegal logging inside Thailand, and they are continuing the secret killing of the Khmer people that strayed into Thailand this action is either endorsed or not endorsed by the Thais authority/government. Even with evidence the Thais military and government still denied and denied. This was done without the Thais PM publicly ordered the shooting. The truth is the Thais they are good at talking nice and diplomatic and it's for the public and the media consumption, but in reality they are savage than the former Khmer Rouge, the so-called jungle man. The Thais politicians and military commanders such as Abhisit, Kasit, Anupopng…and so on they are KILLERS in tie and suits and uniform. They are no better than the Khmer Rouge that they want other people to see differently.
So I beg the differences. I'm not a Hun Sen supporter, but I'm sick of the Thais hypocrite without shame.
3. When the jungle man raised the Thaksin and Suu Kyi issue, he wasn't trying to compare the noble cause or the personality of the individuals, but rather the storylines. Why people cannot talk about Thaksin? And at the same time people can talk about Suu Kyi. After all Thaksin was illegally removed from power by force, and he was democratically elected by the Thais people, because the Thai Royal, and the military and PAD cannot win at the ballot box they resorted to using force. Since allowing Thaksin to become popular is not a good idea and looks very bad for the Thais King, Phumibol. As one Thais dissident, Gile J Ungpackorn said "The popularity is the role of the king it's not for the human politician like Thaksin." This is a rough quote of Ungpackorn's remark.
4. There is no doubt that the jungle man is hitting back at Abhisit for the Sam Rainsy press conference in Bangkok a couple of weeks ago. Hun Sen is stuck in the mind set the way he runs Cambodia, where everything is under his control and any thing that is critical of him is forbidden or marginalised. Abhisit and the Thais Royal and military are the same as Hun Sen, they are even worse, no one is allowed to criticise Phumibol……you could easily get 15 years for saying Phumibol is a dick. But you can maybe get away if you say Hun Sen is a dick and a slave in Cambodia. Try it out. So when it comes to patience and democracy I think the jungle man is much better than Phumibol/Abhisit/Kasit/The Thais military all combined.
5. This does not mean Hun Sen is better. He's only better amongst the ugly and the hypocrites Thais politicians Abisit's clique.
6. The unilateral damn map that was drawn by the Thais was the reason why the jungle man ordered his officials to rip it…the author should mention this, not just say the jungle man want to rip it and use it to roll tobacco for his cigar, the author is a total dick and he deserves this calling…if I'm Hun Sen, you Thais wouldn't get this light treatment…..I'll play your game as well. To sum up Hun Sen is a hot temper man, a dick and a slave, but not going around the bush to express his view. Phumibol/Abhisit/Kasit/The Thais military are rotten, hypocrite, and killers in suits and ties, and uniform.
Voice
so what if hun sen a jungle man so what if hun sen allow thaksin in cambodia so what if hun sen order khmer troop to shot any illigal siem tranpass when ahpishit step on his foot he get a bleeding nose.
9:01 AM,
hahahahahah! funny bro! Now, Absit call hun sen an immature thug? hahahah!
9:16 AM,
hun sen would never allow to walk by Thai PM's rats and let alone plans to assassinate Thai PM's dog....
Voice
12:32 PM,
Thai soldiers don't talk but they carried out their plans by inhumanely killed and burned Cambodian teens. Hun sen boasted loudly (among khmer people in Cambodia, they may think of hun sen as their hero) but where is the plans...hun sen is "talks the talks," but does he "walks the walks?" That is the question....!
I am very happy about the whole things. I am very please to see Hun Sen stands up for our country and not being afraid to challenge with all sort of obstacles. I think it is great to have Mr Thaksin to help Hun Sen to run our country because he is very well educated person with a wealth of knowledge, skills and experiences. Having him as a co-worker along side with Mr Hun Sen is excellent!. The more we employ the educated people the better. I can see that Thai gov't has lost one of their most valuable assets and is very deeply regrettable. This can be a lesson for Thai gov't to learn and re-check before they can make another accusation against one of their own political leaders. To lose someone with a wealth of knowledge is a big loss. You cannot put any value on such profession. Mr Abhisit on the other hand wanting to eliminate Mr Thaksin because he knows that Mr Thaksin is a very intelligent man and could get his job back from him very easily ( a lot of Thai people are in favour with Mr Thaksin from 50-60%), so Mr Abhisit tries to request for Mr Thaksin to be extradited so that he can be eliminated for good. However, no political leader would give in without a fight. As long as Mr Thaksin still alive Mr Abhisit won’t sleep in peace but again what goes around will come around. I have some questions to ask Mr Abhisit, who you think you are to judge others base on their profession? And who will judge you? The entire good Thai people of cause! And when you take your armies to fight with the “unarm poor Khmer civilian”, what will the world think of you when you join with the human right agreement? I want you to think carefully while you are having your good seat, so do good or “karma” will get you, Mr Abhisit. Rule number 1) respect your neighbour’s boundary and nothing will happen to you and your people, Rule number 2) treat others just like you want to be treated and love others just like you want to be loved. I know that you still young and still have a lot to learn yet but if you have a good heart if really love humanity as should be than you can do anything. Aust
5:51pm don't be so sure scumbag. Mr thaksin isn't a clean man by any standards.he was convicted in thai court and has been sentenced in absentia with various corruption charges. it would be a disaster to cambodia if mr hunsen allow mr thaksin to live in cambodia.
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