Ousted Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra stands in front of Angkor Wat, in Cambodia. Thaksin accused his detractors of false patriotism in a speech Thursday, following the uproar over his appointment as an economic adviser to the Cambodian government. (Heng Sinith/AP)Thailand viewed Cambodia’s wining-and-dining this week of exiled former Thai PM Thaksin Shinawatra as anything but a neighborly gesture. Obama arrives in Singapore Saturday to meet with Southeast Asian leaders.
11.12.09
By Simon Montlake, Correspondent
Christian Science Monitor
PHNOM PENH, CAMBODIA – A visit by a former leader to a neighboring country normally stirs little comment. But the arrival here of Thailand’s former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra has caused a nasty diplomatic row between Thailand and Cambodia.
It’s not hard to see why. Mr. Thaksin, who was ousted by a military coup in 2006 and lives in exile in Dubai, is scheming to make a comeback in Thailand. He’s wanted at home on a corruption-related conviction. The Thai government has revoked his passport and sought his extradition.
You might expect Cambodia, a neighbor and fellow member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), to assist Thailand in tracking down their man. ASEAN puts great stock in warm relations among its members, who agree not to interfere in each other’s politics.
But you’d be wrong.
Far from turning him in, Cambodia’s veteran Prime Minister, Hun Sen, has embraced Thaksin as an “eternal friend.” On Thursday, Thaksin gave a lecture to a roomful of civil servants in his new role as an economic adviser to Cambodia. He has been wined and dined by his host.
As for extradition, Cambodia has told Thailand that it wouldn’t cooperate, effectively giving sanctuary to a fugitive from Thai law. Both countries have recalled their ambassadors. Tensions have risen along the land border, where a disputed 11th century temple has sparked armed clashes.
Cambodia says that appointing Thaksin as an adviser is its “internal affair” and has nothing to do with Thailand. A spokesman for Cambodia’s foreign ministry said it was up to Thailand to mend relations by sending back its ambassador.
The row comes as ASEAN leaders prepare to meet President Obama on Sunday in Singapore. There is no love lost between Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and Hun Sen, though a public fallout is unlikely, given the occasion and pressure from other members to rub along.
Thaksin denies stirring trouble in Thailand, which is deeply divided over his downfall and subsequent events. “They should not overreact…I don’t want the Thai government to be so nervous,” he says.
“I’m unemployed. And we’re friends,” he says, referring to Hun Sen.
Thaksin’s controversial trip is due to end Friday after a tour Angkor Wat, another temple complex in Cambodia’s northwest, not far from the Thai border. At least 50 Thai politicians are traveling there by bus to consult with him before he flies off in his private jet.
All in all, much more than a casual overseas junket by a retired politician.
11.12.09
By Simon Montlake, Correspondent
Christian Science Monitor
PHNOM PENH, CAMBODIA – A visit by a former leader to a neighboring country normally stirs little comment. But the arrival here of Thailand’s former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra has caused a nasty diplomatic row between Thailand and Cambodia.
It’s not hard to see why. Mr. Thaksin, who was ousted by a military coup in 2006 and lives in exile in Dubai, is scheming to make a comeback in Thailand. He’s wanted at home on a corruption-related conviction. The Thai government has revoked his passport and sought his extradition.
You might expect Cambodia, a neighbor and fellow member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), to assist Thailand in tracking down their man. ASEAN puts great stock in warm relations among its members, who agree not to interfere in each other’s politics.
But you’d be wrong.
Far from turning him in, Cambodia’s veteran Prime Minister, Hun Sen, has embraced Thaksin as an “eternal friend.” On Thursday, Thaksin gave a lecture to a roomful of civil servants in his new role as an economic adviser to Cambodia. He has been wined and dined by his host.
As for extradition, Cambodia has told Thailand that it wouldn’t cooperate, effectively giving sanctuary to a fugitive from Thai law. Both countries have recalled their ambassadors. Tensions have risen along the land border, where a disputed 11th century temple has sparked armed clashes.
Cambodia says that appointing Thaksin as an adviser is its “internal affair” and has nothing to do with Thailand. A spokesman for Cambodia’s foreign ministry said it was up to Thailand to mend relations by sending back its ambassador.
The row comes as ASEAN leaders prepare to meet President Obama on Sunday in Singapore. There is no love lost between Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and Hun Sen, though a public fallout is unlikely, given the occasion and pressure from other members to rub along.
Thaksin denies stirring trouble in Thailand, which is deeply divided over his downfall and subsequent events. “They should not overreact…I don’t want the Thai government to be so nervous,” he says.
“I’m unemployed. And we’re friends,” he says, referring to Hun Sen.
Thaksin’s controversial trip is due to end Friday after a tour Angkor Wat, another temple complex in Cambodia’s northwest, not far from the Thai border. At least 50 Thai politicians are traveling there by bus to consult with him before he flies off in his private jet.
All in all, much more than a casual overseas junket by a retired politician.
6 comments:
Holly $#^! They cleared everybody! Now, that would ruin alot of people vacation for sure.
Hun Sen has learned a relevant diplomatic speech but it seems helpful only to those Cambodian farmers and less educated people to believe in him. Important thing, Hun Sen still need to clearly answer the hidden multi-purposes in welcoming and appointing Thaksin as advisor. Whenever Cambodia and Thailand conflict accelerated, Vietnam can strengthen its hegemony over Cambodia successfully. To serve the interests of Cambodia, Hun Sen has to balance the political weigh between Thailand and Vietnam. But I am saddened when Cambodia and Thailand government has skyrocketed enmity with each other.
Hun Sen said "Khmers have only one color now is Khmer". But according to this speech, Hun Sen has created only CPP color but condemn other color. CPP color is Vietnamese by nature.
CPP is undeniably under pressure of Vietnam while Hun Sen is proceeding to implement this policy. CPP is strengthening its close relationship with Thaksin party in order to fight against Abhisit party. With this act, it benefits a lot for Vietnam, not for Cambodia.
Worse than that, Hun Sen and CPP is not reluctantly proceeding the propose of Vietnam to take Sam Rainsy to their biased court regarding Sam Rainsy's concern of border poles planted in Cambodian farmers at Svay Rieng.
Var Kimhong is afraid of losing his face about this poles planting in Cambodian farmer land, or his mentality might already sell to Vietnam or he is Vietnamese (who know?). He accepted to follow the complex GIS procedure of border map by neglecting the complaints of Cambodian farmers who lost their land in this border demarcation procedure.
Vietnam has overwhelmingly stepped over Cambodian head to proceed its successful hegemony and neo-imperialistic domination over Cambodia.
King Sihanouk's letter is seems neglected by Var Kimhong. What Var Kinhong will do next is to maintain face of himself and CPP by allowing Vietnam encroaching Cambodian farmers' land and utilize its strategy of "divide and conquer" in Cambodia land as ever.
CPP is approaching its end-dead as usual for their fear of Vietnam and illiterate leadership of Hun Sen.
Sam Rainsy might face with Cambodian biased court and immunity lifting of hi parliamentary shell. But this time, Sam Rainsy will become hero of Cambodia and Cambodian people will vote for SRP to take turn in serving Cambodia nation.
CPP is expecting to divert attention of Cambodian people via its scheme with Thailand and its dominate mass media. But border issue with Vietnam is also potentially drawn attention from all Cambodian people.
Let balance our thought and action to handle with both Vietnam and Thailand.
In Solidarity
KY
All in all, Thaksin is a good guy. Bangkok is just a nervous wreck people and nervous people did all kind of stupid thing.
I realy admire Thaksin for his good leadership in humanity. He was a good leader to his Nation. His lecturing to Cambodian audience was good. But how many hardhead communist Like Keat Chhon and his colleague will learn from Mr Thaksin to look after the poors( Grassroots)?. I have said many times and many times that Cambodian economic development must go hand in hand with Cambodian social development. All commercial dealings must be in agrement between buyers and venders and not from Government officials as a go between by using police and military for force evictions. Cambodian Leaders must committed themselves to take advice and implemented by Mr Thaksin lectures look after the grassroots first. The top leaves must be patience and the water should be used at grassroot level first to benefit the whole tree. Mr Thaksin has confirmed that If Cambodia want to prosper, Cambodian government must proovide Cambodian poors with opportunities and access to cut down their expenses and provide them with access to additional income. They must secure their properties from landgrabbings. Each citizen must have a feeling of belonging to the Nation. Cambodian government must now get ridge of land concession policy which is not a market economy. Land concession policy is a central economy or planning economy. Thaksin has made it clear that each citizen must has their freedom to choose what to do for their life.
Areak Prey
Halaluyah!
Koh Kong to Hong Kong II
Post a Comment