By Tulsathit Taptim
The Nation
WE KNOW what you must be thinking. The grass was always greener on the other side, and for a man like you, whose personal comfort was getting more and more scarce, even someone named Hun Sen was worth grabbing and clinging onto. Only, when it comes to friendship and loyalty, you know better than almost anyone.
There was Chamlong Srimuang, who trusted you so much that he let you carry the torch of the Phalang Dharma Party. There was Sondhi Limthongkul, who called you the best prime minister Thailand ever had. And who can forget Newin Chidchob and those tears he cried at the start of your downfall?
In despair, it's tempting to assume that Hun Sen is a better proposition than all of the above - and maybe even Chalerm Yoobamrung, Snoh Thienthong and Chavalit Yongchaiyudh, too. But a bit of a reality check here, and you yourself will say "Wait a minute". First off, you never took a bullet meant for him. And if Hun Sen owed you a big business gratitude, so did many people in Thailand who now couldn't care less about you.
And last but not least, if we remember your no-nonsense threat to send commandos into Cambodia during the torching of the Thai Embassy a few years ago, so too must Hun Sen. If a relationship so sour can turn so good, it can definitely turn very sour again.
However, deep down you must realise that this is not about trusting Cambodia's greatest political survivor of his generation. Your risks are minuscule compared with the ones you have presented your motherland, no matter what your objective is. Cambodians can't tell Thai reds from yellows, especially if the diplomatic row becomes something worse.
Two neighbouring nations have been pitted against each other. For all your lamenting about Thailand being divided and your clamouring for reconciliation, how can this stand-off possibly help? What can you achieve by making one half of the country mistrust Cambodia and the other half feel closer to Phnom Penh more than their own compatriots?
You are re-representing yourself to the Thai people. To those who have doubted you, their scepticism must have climbed to a new level. As for your admirers, some may be cheering your latest stunt, but others must be somewhat confused. You claim to be seeking justice for the Thai people and not for yourself, but your popularity has dropped probably because many Thais think they are seeing otherwise. They fear you may be doing this for yourself and are using your country's relations with a neighbour as your stake.
Times Online may have distorted your views on the monarchy a little, but look who's the bigger liar here. You told the news website that you want to see peace in Thailand, and implored His Majesty the King to intervene. You said you hoped your supporters' petition would be heeded, as the monarch was the only person who could end this conflict.
Are you making it easy for the King to pardon you? You are flying a private jet, have been made Cambodia's economic adviser, and discredit Thailand on a daily basis to begin with. The Royal Palace can overlook these things, but it will be hard to turn a blind eye to your dangerous gambling with national honour and sovereignty.
If this is a way to fight "injustice", you don't know anything about justice. Hun Sen's guesthouse, his wife's tears and a warm welcome in Phnom Penh can't overturn a "guilty" verdict. At best, they mean the Thai political crisis has spilled over and more innocent people will have to brace themselves for the consequences. It may seem fair to you, but it's unfair to Thailand.
How much further will you go? Three former Thai prime minsiters - you, Somchai Wongswat and Chavalit Yongchaiyudh - have shown up in Phnom Penh to look up to Somdej Hun Sen as the last resort. What if Hun Sen's neutralised political rivals came to Thailand and sought our help? Would you encourage us to give them "justice"?
Having said that, Cambodians probably won't come unless they are fleeing war or armed suppression. If they cheat on taxes or make illegal purchases of state properties, maybe they will be too dignified to live in a state guesthouse and lecture the Thai Chamber of Commerce on how to best do businesses.
As always, you have taken something ideal and tried to represent it. First it was "democracy" and now it's "justice". However, both words, in their truest essences, are associated with two important things that seem lacking in the ongoing saga with Phnom Penh: Honour and dignity.
There was Chamlong Srimuang, who trusted you so much that he let you carry the torch of the Phalang Dharma Party. There was Sondhi Limthongkul, who called you the best prime minister Thailand ever had. And who can forget Newin Chidchob and those tears he cried at the start of your downfall?
In despair, it's tempting to assume that Hun Sen is a better proposition than all of the above - and maybe even Chalerm Yoobamrung, Snoh Thienthong and Chavalit Yongchaiyudh, too. But a bit of a reality check here, and you yourself will say "Wait a minute". First off, you never took a bullet meant for him. And if Hun Sen owed you a big business gratitude, so did many people in Thailand who now couldn't care less about you.
And last but not least, if we remember your no-nonsense threat to send commandos into Cambodia during the torching of the Thai Embassy a few years ago, so too must Hun Sen. If a relationship so sour can turn so good, it can definitely turn very sour again.
However, deep down you must realise that this is not about trusting Cambodia's greatest political survivor of his generation. Your risks are minuscule compared with the ones you have presented your motherland, no matter what your objective is. Cambodians can't tell Thai reds from yellows, especially if the diplomatic row becomes something worse.
Two neighbouring nations have been pitted against each other. For all your lamenting about Thailand being divided and your clamouring for reconciliation, how can this stand-off possibly help? What can you achieve by making one half of the country mistrust Cambodia and the other half feel closer to Phnom Penh more than their own compatriots?
You are re-representing yourself to the Thai people. To those who have doubted you, their scepticism must have climbed to a new level. As for your admirers, some may be cheering your latest stunt, but others must be somewhat confused. You claim to be seeking justice for the Thai people and not for yourself, but your popularity has dropped probably because many Thais think they are seeing otherwise. They fear you may be doing this for yourself and are using your country's relations with a neighbour as your stake.
Times Online may have distorted your views on the monarchy a little, but look who's the bigger liar here. You told the news website that you want to see peace in Thailand, and implored His Majesty the King to intervene. You said you hoped your supporters' petition would be heeded, as the monarch was the only person who could end this conflict.
Are you making it easy for the King to pardon you? You are flying a private jet, have been made Cambodia's economic adviser, and discredit Thailand on a daily basis to begin with. The Royal Palace can overlook these things, but it will be hard to turn a blind eye to your dangerous gambling with national honour and sovereignty.
If this is a way to fight "injustice", you don't know anything about justice. Hun Sen's guesthouse, his wife's tears and a warm welcome in Phnom Penh can't overturn a "guilty" verdict. At best, they mean the Thai political crisis has spilled over and more innocent people will have to brace themselves for the consequences. It may seem fair to you, but it's unfair to Thailand.
How much further will you go? Three former Thai prime minsiters - you, Somchai Wongswat and Chavalit Yongchaiyudh - have shown up in Phnom Penh to look up to Somdej Hun Sen as the last resort. What if Hun Sen's neutralised political rivals came to Thailand and sought our help? Would you encourage us to give them "justice"?
Having said that, Cambodians probably won't come unless they are fleeing war or armed suppression. If they cheat on taxes or make illegal purchases of state properties, maybe they will be too dignified to live in a state guesthouse and lecture the Thai Chamber of Commerce on how to best do businesses.
As always, you have taken something ideal and tried to represent it. First it was "democracy" and now it's "justice". However, both words, in their truest essences, are associated with two important things that seem lacking in the ongoing saga with Phnom Penh: Honour and dignity.
11 comments:
Your doom's day is coming Thailand!!
Why the news media are using for personal attack? Isn't this media for reporting news, nothing but balance news.
Thai mouth faulty worth than cow dung. Talking about honour and dignity, just mention these words, Thai offense the goodness, which you never find in Thai. But there are plenty of thief, thugs, murderes: Remember Yon Rith, 16 years old boy who burned alive by Thai!
Thai are known to be fake and they have always been very good about hiding it from the world. However, this time it seems that they can no longer hold it inside, and thanks to PM Hun Sen to exposing them to the world of who they really are..a thief and a sore looser. This is a rare opportunity for all Khmer to celebrate a small victory.
Yes, PM Hun Sen is doing marvelous job. He got the PAD by the balls and he's squeezing them with joy.
If Abhullshit is not being the GREED or not overreacting there shouldn't be a problem.
There was a former Pervian president name Fuji Alberto Mori which he is Japanese descent was charged with corruption and killing he escaped to Japan and Peru request the Japan to send him back to Peru and Japan declined the request. Peru had extradition with the two countries and Japan ignore that.
Hahaaa....Thailand can you look at this prime example????
The Nation, considered by Thais as their national newspaper, is really a third world, unprofessional, unethical newspaper. That newspaper is so bias and most of the times desperate to run any article, just like a tabloid.
No doubt that why Thais are so blind to the truth.
Thai compatriots,
This is what I, as the outsider, see:
Since the turmoil has started, I don't see Taksin discredit Thailand, but PAD.
- PAD backed by army ousted elected Governments and downed grade Thai Democracy.
- PAD has fueled false messages to Thai nationalists to escalate conflicts with neighboring countries.
- PAD seizure airport caused trouble and anger to many foreigners.
- PAD used the name of Thai King for PAD’s benefits have brought the King into political spotlight.
- PAD harshly views other Thai political groups as enemies.
Only Thai people could decide Thai faith, not PAD.
If Thailand doesn’t get rid of PAD, bigger and bigger trouble will happen to Thailand.
To 3:08
I am 100% agree with you.
To 3:08 AM
I total agree with you but not the word "get rid of PAD" because it represents a group of Thais.
Election is no longer the best option as months-long rally against government by the group of lossers.
I can't imagine any solution to Thai conflict but the intevention of the King.
I wish Thais can find a solution so that Cambodia can live in peace too.
KI fan
The Khmer Thai extradition treaty was also revoked in retaliation to the scrap of the Khmer Thai overlapping maritime boundary MOU.
The Renewed Khmer-Thai MOU is as follows:
Article 1: Thai government accepts to give Cambodia a total of 60 billion US dollars over 5 years with 10 billion US dollars up front and also 80% of petrol wells from Thai-Cambodian overlapping claims area in exchange for the extradition of the international fugitive Thaksin Shinawatra.
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