Stick to reason in Khmer spat

10/11/2009
Bangkok Post
EDITORIAL

The government's response, as Mr Hun Sen and Thaksin work to escalate the situation, must be tempered. Mr Abhisit should disregard the People's Alliance for Democracy and other voices demanding retaliation. There is no need to stoop to the unreasonable levels of Mr Hun Sen. Diplomacy, trade and military ties should be kept on an even keel. But until Mr Hun Sen stops using Thaksin as a wedge between the two nations, development plans must be put on hold.

The government's response to the personal attacks by the prime minister of Cambodia have been proper and reasoned. It is important that they remain this way.

There is widespread concern within the Asean region and abroad that Thailand risks its hard-earned diplomatic respect by falling into a tit-for-tat trap from Prime Minister Hun Sen. The Cambodian leader is clearly trying to goad and prod Thailand into a serious confrontation, and then to present his smaller and poorer country as the victim.

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and the Foreign Ministry have so far refused to play Mr Hun Sen's game. While some foreign diplomats last week fretted that Thailand had gone too far in recalling the ambassador to Phnom Penh, they were wrong. The recall of the senior diplomat "for consultations" is hugely diplomatic and non-confrontational. It is a major step to be certain, but specifically designed over centuries of diplomacy to indicate huge disagreement and displeasure with the host country's policies.

It is unclear, in fact, what would better indicate to Mr Hun Sen and to the world the opinion of Thailand in this Cambodian challenge. Closing the border is clearly a matter of last resort, a step before outright hostilities. Cutting diplomatic relations is a similar act. A protest to the Cambodian government through its ambassador in Thailand would be a sign of weakness; such protests are for continuing disagreements, or minor problems.

By bringing the ambassador back to Bangkok for an unspecified time - a few days, a few weeks or even longer - the government has sent a strong diplomatic message, and addressed it to many governments. To Mr Hun Sen and his ministers, Mr Abhisit and Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya have made it clear that hiring the fugitive Thaksin Shinawatra as a government adviser and refusing to extradite him is highly offensive to Thai authorities and the justice system. The recall of the ambassador has told all countries with relations with Thailand and Cambodia that the government does not suffer such slaps lightly.

Mr Hun Sen has put his own spite and ambition ahead of the interests of his country and of regional development. As Mr Abhisit told him in two recent meetings, it is understandable that the Cambodian leader has an underlying fondness for the Thai ex-premier. Thaksin promised to invest billions of baht in a resort on Koh Kong island, just off eastern Thailand. He also promised excellent terms in settling border disputes, particularly in the oil-rich regions of the Gulf. But as a head of government and responsible national leader, one of Mr Hun Sen's priorities must be to be a good neighbour in the Asean region. In this he has failed. Mr Hun Sen's constant pandering to his own country's shrill and anti-Thai nationalists predates the overthrow of Thaksin. But since his "old friend" fled and was convicted of an under-handed act, the Cambodian premier has continually baited and prodded the Thai government. He has often urged Asean to act against Thailand.

The government's response, as Mr Hun Sen and Thaksin work to escalate the situation, must be tempered. Mr Abhisit should disregard the People's Alliance for Democracy and other voices demanding retaliation. There is no need to stoop to the unreasonable levels of Mr Hun Sen. Diplomacy, trade and military ties should be kept on an even keel. But until Mr Hun Sen stops using Thaksin as a wedge between the two nations, development plans must be put on hold.