Richard Lloyd Parry, Asia Editor
Times Online (UK)
The ousted Thai prime minister, Thaksin Shinawatra, struck out at his enemies yesterday, accusing them of “false patriotism” as the fierce dispute over his visit to Cambodia led to a further deterioration in relations between the two neighbours.
Cambodia and Thailand expelled each other’s diplomats, and Bangkok moved to cancel a road project involving loans to Phnom Penh of some 1.4 billion baht (£25 million).
The Thai stock market fell by 3 per cent, apparently because of fears among investors of further political instability on Thailand. The feud is likely to cast a shadow over the deliberations in Singapore this weekend of the Asia-Pacific Co-operation Forum, of which both Thailand and Cambodia are members.
Mr Thaksin’s visit to Cambodia has electrified Thailand three years after the three-times elected leader was forced from power by a military coup. His appointment as an “economic adviser” by the Cambodian prime minister, Hun Sen, has enraged his enemies as it has galvanised his many supporters.
Dozens of members of the Red Shirt movement, as it is know, travelled from Thailand across the Cambodian border, and wept and embraced Mr Thaksin as he arrived at a hotel in the Cambodian city of Siem Reap. Earlier in the day he gave a speech to 300 government officials in the capital, where he spoke of his hopes for partnership between Cambodia and Thailand.
“A prosperous neighbour means better opportunities for us to grow together,” he said in a lecture entitled “Cambodia and the World after the Financial Crisis”. “Of course, not all my compatriots see it that way right now. Their domestic political compulsions force them to false patriotism. Let’s pray that they too will one day appreciate this partnership for progress.”
Mr Thaksin was taken on a tour of Angkor Wat, the magnificent temple complex built by the Cambodian king who ruled over an empire which once included parts of present day Thailand. The name of the nearest town, Siem Reap, means “Defeat of Thailand”.
Mr Thaksin is scheduled to return to his home in exile in Dubai tomorrow, but there seems to be little prospect that the ill feeling about his visit will abate even then. On Sunday, opponents of Mr Thaksin, known as “Yellow Shirts”, promise to rally in Bangkok protesting against his visit to Cambodia, as well as an interview which he gave to The Times in which he spoke of the future succession in the Thai monarchy after the death of King Bhumibol Adulyadej.
In it, he spoke of his respect for Bhumibol, but his contempt for the “palace circle” — courtiers whom he accused of intervening in politics. He also spoke of his hopes for a “shining” reign by his anticipated successor, the Crown Prince, Maha Vajiralongkorn. “The Crown Prince, because he will be new, may not be as popular as His Majesty the King,” Mr Thaksin said. “However, he will have less problem because the palace circle will be smaller, because of being new in the reign.”
The interview has provoked a complaint against both Mr Thaksin and this correspondent of insulting the monarchy, lodged by a group of Thai senators and generals.
Apart from increasing already feverish political tensions within Thailand, the dispute is an embarrassment to the Thai prime minister, Abhisit Vejjajiva, who will attend the Apec summit in Singapore as the chair of the Association of South-east Asian Nations.
Mr Abhisit made efforts to soothe the conflict today. “The Government does not want to create conflicts which could lead to any violence. It is not a conflict between Thai and Cambodian people,” he said.
“We don’t want this problem to affect ASEAN and we don’t want to see it spreading to other places … There is no reason for the conflict [with Cambodia] to cause any political change in the country. We will adhere to international practice. Shouting loudly does not mean being strong. Sometimes, quiet ways of dealing with a conflict are more effective.”
Cambodia and Thailand expelled each other’s diplomats, and Bangkok moved to cancel a road project involving loans to Phnom Penh of some 1.4 billion baht (£25 million).
The Thai stock market fell by 3 per cent, apparently because of fears among investors of further political instability on Thailand. The feud is likely to cast a shadow over the deliberations in Singapore this weekend of the Asia-Pacific Co-operation Forum, of which both Thailand and Cambodia are members.
Mr Thaksin’s visit to Cambodia has electrified Thailand three years after the three-times elected leader was forced from power by a military coup. His appointment as an “economic adviser” by the Cambodian prime minister, Hun Sen, has enraged his enemies as it has galvanised his many supporters.
Dozens of members of the Red Shirt movement, as it is know, travelled from Thailand across the Cambodian border, and wept and embraced Mr Thaksin as he arrived at a hotel in the Cambodian city of Siem Reap. Earlier in the day he gave a speech to 300 government officials in the capital, where he spoke of his hopes for partnership between Cambodia and Thailand.
“A prosperous neighbour means better opportunities for us to grow together,” he said in a lecture entitled “Cambodia and the World after the Financial Crisis”. “Of course, not all my compatriots see it that way right now. Their domestic political compulsions force them to false patriotism. Let’s pray that they too will one day appreciate this partnership for progress.”
Mr Thaksin was taken on a tour of Angkor Wat, the magnificent temple complex built by the Cambodian king who ruled over an empire which once included parts of present day Thailand. The name of the nearest town, Siem Reap, means “Defeat of Thailand”.
Mr Thaksin is scheduled to return to his home in exile in Dubai tomorrow, but there seems to be little prospect that the ill feeling about his visit will abate even then. On Sunday, opponents of Mr Thaksin, known as “Yellow Shirts”, promise to rally in Bangkok protesting against his visit to Cambodia, as well as an interview which he gave to The Times in which he spoke of the future succession in the Thai monarchy after the death of King Bhumibol Adulyadej.
In it, he spoke of his respect for Bhumibol, but his contempt for the “palace circle” — courtiers whom he accused of intervening in politics. He also spoke of his hopes for a “shining” reign by his anticipated successor, the Crown Prince, Maha Vajiralongkorn. “The Crown Prince, because he will be new, may not be as popular as His Majesty the King,” Mr Thaksin said. “However, he will have less problem because the palace circle will be smaller, because of being new in the reign.”
The interview has provoked a complaint against both Mr Thaksin and this correspondent of insulting the monarchy, lodged by a group of Thai senators and generals.
Apart from increasing already feverish political tensions within Thailand, the dispute is an embarrassment to the Thai prime minister, Abhisit Vejjajiva, who will attend the Apec summit in Singapore as the chair of the Association of South-east Asian Nations.
Mr Abhisit made efforts to soothe the conflict today. “The Government does not want to create conflicts which could lead to any violence. It is not a conflict between Thai and Cambodian people,” he said.
“We don’t want this problem to affect ASEAN and we don’t want to see it spreading to other places … There is no reason for the conflict [with Cambodia] to cause any political change in the country. We will adhere to international practice. Shouting loudly does not mean being strong. Sometimes, quiet ways of dealing with a conflict are more effective.”
3 comments:
Drama, drama, drama. Be wise in all aspects of plays by "old enemy", the Siamese. When they show their love toward one another that is true and genuine. When they fight among themselves but befirend with you, that is a play to confuse your mind. That play for your eyes is always bogus and the danger can be profound that it can destroy you. The Yuon fought among themselves and in the end they gained huge parts of Khmer territory. Be wise Mr. Khmer. Or die.
Richard Lloyd Parry said: "...Asia-Pacific Co-operation Forum, of which both Thailand and Cambodia are members."
Please be informed Mr. Parry, Cambodia is not a member of APEC.
Don't believe their sweet talk. Now he says all you want to hear because it is before the summit with Obama. Thailand only bow to their white masters like the U.S; similar to dogs respect their master, in other words. Keeping that aside, Cambodia must be smart ourselves. We must learn to assimilate ourselves with the world. Put someones who can convey our messages well in the government. We must learn to be cautious and abiding by the rule according to the international laws. So far, we are fine. We are small country who just got out from wars. We don't have much friends and our GDP is still small. So even we are right, we will not see a lot people on our side. But we must continue to work hard together and love each other to fight for our survival and don't ever count on Thailand to help us; perhaps, it is in their lips service but not their heart. Work hard and be smart like a come back kid!!!
Post a Comment