By Nophakhun Limsamarnphun
The Nation
Abhisit will have to tell the world that Thailand is playing by the rule of law and international treaties, and neighbouring countries like Cambodia ought to respect the country's sovereignty as far as administrative, legislative and judicial systems are concerned. [KI-Media Note: If Thailand is indeed playing by the rule of law and international treaties, why is Thailand trying to renege the 1904 and 1907 Franco-Siam treaty? Furthermore, why is Thailand trying to skirt an international border settlement with Cambodia and why does it insist on a bilateral negotiation with Cambodia instead?]PRIME MINISTER Abhisit Vejjajiva will be faced with a delicate situation in Singapore tomorrow when he represents Asean at meeting with US President Barack Obama.
The US-Asean dialogue will follow the annual Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) Summit, which starts today.
As chairman of the 10-country grouping, the Thai premier will have to put the ongoing Thai-Cambodian conflict on the sidelines for the time being.
After all, both Thailand and Cambodia are Asean members.
Upholding Thailand's image and credibility at this crucial forum is undoubtedly the premier's top priority, even though Thaksin Shinawatra in collaboration with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, has managed to upset Thailand both politically and diplomatically in the past few days.
Abhisit will have to tell the world that Thailand is playing by the rule of law and international treaties, and neighbouring countries like Cambodia ought to respect the country's sovereignty as far as administrative, legislative and judicial systems are concerned.
Cambodia's rejection of Thailand's official request for the extradition of Thaksin, a fugitive from justice, was simply a bad precedent as far as the Thai-Cambodian extradition treaty is concerned.
For Thaksin, his risky adventure into Cambodia appears to have served the purpose of an explicit challenge to the Thai state in the hope of destabilising Abhisit's government.
The ousted premier also held a meeting with about 50 Pheu Thai MPs across the Thai-Cambodian border, bringing him closest ever physically to his supporters since he fled his two-year jail term in 2008.
For Hun Sen, there seems to be no love lost between his country and Thailand's government.
The Cambodian PM has explicitly bet on a Thaksin ally returning to power after the next general election, which is expected to take place some time next year.
In fact, he has offered Thaksin, now his economic adviser, carte blanche to visit Cambodia as often as he wants, allowing the fugitive to run his politics across the Thai-Cambodia border.
In addition, the Cambodian leader appears to be taking revenge on the Preah Vihear issue because the Abhisit government has consistently opposed Cambodia's unilateral registration of the ancient temple complex, which sits on the Thai-Cambodian border, with Unesco.
As for Abhisit, it would be imprudent to play the cards that Hun Sen and Thaksin are playing, because they are aimed at destabilising his government just ahead of the weekend Apec Summit and US-Asean meeting.
On Thursday, Cambodia also expelled a senior Thai diplomat from its capital in connection with the arrest of Siwarat Chotipong, a Thai national, who worked for the Cambodia Air Traffic Service.
Siwarat was charged with spying on Thaksin's flight schedule.
The Thai foreign ministry dismissed the charge as groundless and responded by expelling a Cambodian diplomat.
Yet, it's in Thailand's interest to exercise maximum caution and be cool as has been exemplified by Abhisit's policy that at this stage there will be no border shutdowns, closure of the Thai Embassy nor the evacuation of Thai nationals in Cambodia.
In the end, Thailand's international image and credibility as a larger country than Cambodia will be intact if the government tackles the bilateral issues as diplomatically as it can without resorting to any violent or military means.
12 comments:
True if he plays by the rule of law why the hell he objected on the Preah Vihear issue and sent troops to the border??
You Abullshit motherfucker you need to go back to school.
Rule of law my ass, you burnt Khmer's kid alive!!
You motherfucker rule of law!!
This commentator (this article) was taught the twisted history. Thief always believe what they are doing is smart or reasonable. They are afraid to face the laws, simply the police.
BILATERAL talks with them won't achieve anything. Thief just want to buy time and think of new ways to STEAL. Never trust them!
Kasit tries to save his skin by accusing Thaksin looking down on Thai monarchy.
Altogether, Abhisit and Kasit must step down to save their country from chaos and humiliation.
Achar Penh
Born as theif, always a theif! Where was Thailand during the Angkor era? Is it not ---Nanchao in present-day Yunnan province, China?
On November 25, 2009 an auspicious date to remember!!!!
Thailand and Cambodia should together celebrate the coming birthday of Princess Bejaratana Rajasuda Sirisobhabannavadi of Thailand (Thai: สมเด็จพระเจ้าภคินีเธอ เจ้าฟ้าเพชรรัตนราชสุดา สิริโสภาพัณณวดี) (born 24 November 1925) is the only daughter of late HM King Vajiravudh of Thailand and Queen Suvadhana (who was of Khmer descent). She is a first cousin of current HM King Bhumibol Adulyadej and third cousin of HM King Sihanouk of Cambodia. She is officially styled Her Royal Highness Princess Bejaratana.
Achar Penh
Kasit will be shot when Thaksin takes office again.
Yeah if you plays by the rule of law why you kept object to UNESCO to enlist temple Preah Vihear?
According to my opinion, Thais was not abided by the international law. Firstly, they had always violated human right. For example, a few months ago they burned an innocent teen alive. I have seen the charred picture of the teen, it was so horrible that people would never did that to animal, but the Thais did.They are barbarians. Secondly, they didn't abide by the international law of1907 that clearly marked the border between them and Cambodia.
Never Never trust the Thais; they lied.
good thinking, KI. i think thailand is caught by its own ironic or hypocritical remarks, here! they're the one to start the whole saga with cambodia. yes, first off, they violated the international court of justice ruling of 1962, then they wanted to do whatever they want unilaterally with attempt or remarks to renege the international border treaty with cambodia of 1907, i mean the list goes on and on, really! and now they turn around to accuse cambodia of violating international law, etc... really, they are caught in their own bad intention. i told you, what goes around comes around, really. this wise, old saying is so powerful, believe it or not!
Is it somewhat late for soft talk Thailand?
Thailand has to prove Cambodia that Thailand respects international law such as the ICJ that ordered Thai military out of Cambodia Preah Vihear and its surrounding land.
Abhisit is full of shit. ASEAN needs Thaksin!!!!!!!!!!!!
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