BBC News
The Cambodian government's appointment of former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra as an economy adviser has provoked an angry reaction from the Thai government, which views him as a criminal and a powerful political opponent.
Here, people in Cambodia share their views on the importance of Mr Thaksin's contribution and whether the appointment will affect already strained relations with neighbouring Thailand.
MALIDEN SIM, TRAVEL COMPANY MANAGER, SIEM REAP
Cambodia has just emerged from the many years of war which destroyed everything. We need people of great knowledge to help rebuild our country.
Thakshin is an experienced economist. He has been very successful in his business and in leading Thailand out of the severe financial crisis in 1997.
Having him as an economic adviser would be very beneficial to both Cambodia and Thailand.
If Cambodia is prospering, that would be good for Thailand as well. We will be able to do business together and our people will not need to cross the border illegally to look for jobs in Thailand.
The current Thai government should view their position more carefully. Helping your poor neighbour prosper is like helping your country getting richer. What Mr Thaksin will do for Cambodia is not against Thai people and Thai interests.
Therefore I don't think his appointment will affect relations between the two countries. The Thai government's treatment of Cambodia has been bad before the appointment of Mr Thaksin.
They claim that Cambodia has robbed their land at the Preah Vihear temple and that the temple belongs to Thailand. How can a poor country with a weak military be able to do that?
There are political motivations behind Thai leaders' desires to get rid of Thaksin. They think he is a threat to their government and they fear that he might use Cambodia as a base to stage a political comeback.
THUL SIBORANN, STUDENT, PHNOM PENH
It is clear that my government has made the right decision to appoint Thaksin as government adviser on economy.
When Thaksin was the prime minister of Thailand he was very good for the country, especially in developing rural areas.
We need his help and I don't care how controversial this appointment is
Most Cambodian people are poor farmers and they can benefit from Thaksin's experience in Thailand.
I am sure that he would be able to raise the standard of living for Cambodian people and develop our rural areas. I am also confident that he'll attract foreign investment.
We need help from outside, from people with experience and knowledge that we don't have ourselves.
We need his help in order to achieve our reform and I don't care how controversial this appointment is. Most people around me think that this is a good decision for our country.
SAING SOENTHRITH, JOURNALIST, PHNOM PENH
I think it's good for our country to get help from an economic expert like Mr Thaksin.
Our country needs help to be rebuilt. We have suffered so much, the whole country was turned to ash by the Pol Pot regime.
We don't have many economic advisers. Thaksin will bring more development in the region.
He is smart and has a lot of experience in his country, which is in the same area as ours.
We need to learn from him and Cambodia should follow his advise.
I don't think his appointment will affect relations between Cambodia and Thailand. His appointment serves as a justice to my nation after all the hatered we've received from Thailand.
And if he has a personal agenda of revenge - that's his own game.
Here, people in Cambodia share their views on the importance of Mr Thaksin's contribution and whether the appointment will affect already strained relations with neighbouring Thailand.
MALIDEN SIM, TRAVEL COMPANY MANAGER, SIEM REAP
Cambodia has just emerged from the many years of war which destroyed everything. We need people of great knowledge to help rebuild our country.
Thakshin is an experienced economist. He has been very successful in his business and in leading Thailand out of the severe financial crisis in 1997.
Having him as an economic adviser would be very beneficial to both Cambodia and Thailand.
If Cambodia is prospering, that would be good for Thailand as well. We will be able to do business together and our people will not need to cross the border illegally to look for jobs in Thailand.
The current Thai government should view their position more carefully. Helping your poor neighbour prosper is like helping your country getting richer. What Mr Thaksin will do for Cambodia is not against Thai people and Thai interests.
Therefore I don't think his appointment will affect relations between the two countries. The Thai government's treatment of Cambodia has been bad before the appointment of Mr Thaksin.
They claim that Cambodia has robbed their land at the Preah Vihear temple and that the temple belongs to Thailand. How can a poor country with a weak military be able to do that?
There are political motivations behind Thai leaders' desires to get rid of Thaksin. They think he is a threat to their government and they fear that he might use Cambodia as a base to stage a political comeback.
THUL SIBORANN, STUDENT, PHNOM PENH
It is clear that my government has made the right decision to appoint Thaksin as government adviser on economy.
When Thaksin was the prime minister of Thailand he was very good for the country, especially in developing rural areas.
We need his help and I don't care how controversial this appointment is
Most Cambodian people are poor farmers and they can benefit from Thaksin's experience in Thailand.
I am sure that he would be able to raise the standard of living for Cambodian people and develop our rural areas. I am also confident that he'll attract foreign investment.
We need help from outside, from people with experience and knowledge that we don't have ourselves.
We need his help in order to achieve our reform and I don't care how controversial this appointment is. Most people around me think that this is a good decision for our country.
SAING SOENTHRITH, JOURNALIST, PHNOM PENH
I think it's good for our country to get help from an economic expert like Mr Thaksin.
Our country needs help to be rebuilt. We have suffered so much, the whole country was turned to ash by the Pol Pot regime.
We don't have many economic advisers. Thaksin will bring more development in the region.
He is smart and has a lot of experience in his country, which is in the same area as ours.
We need to learn from him and Cambodia should follow his advise.
I don't think his appointment will affect relations between Cambodia and Thailand. His appointment serves as a justice to my nation after all the hatered we've received from Thailand.
And if he has a personal agenda of revenge - that's his own game.
18 comments:
They don't understand this is a political move by Thaksin and Hun Sen to undermine the Abhisit government. This has nothing to do with the economy.
Do you think thaksin has time for this, he wants to come back to power and will use Hun Srn to obtain that.
It's not a surprise, Hun Sen's strategy is to make Abhisit lost in next election, if there would be one.
Thailand stepped on Cambodia toe first,it's natural to react the way Hun Sen did.
Abhisit cries foul and points fingers from every direction toward Cambodia.The loss will be in Abhisit corner in the end of the day.
If Abullshit ignore Thaksin presence in Cambodia he would more popular.
He is now in dead locked mod. They will demand an election in Bangkok soon.
This is just a plot by Hun Sen and Taksin to get under the skin of the current Thai government and the "yellow-shirt" Thais. Economic advisor title just comes handy in the time that the whole world are facing with one of the biggest economic crisis in history. However, if Hun Sen really cares about this economic problems and really thinks that Taksin can help he can get in touch with Taksin in a more quiet way a long, long time ago. Why wait until a visit from the leader of Peu Thai to start this process? As indicated in his press conference with Taksin on his side, Hun Sen openly stated his intention of close cooperation of the CPP with the Phe Thai. Abhisit's goverment and the "yellow-shirt" Thais pushed to hard against Cambodia and Hun Sen. Now Hun Sen pays back the bitches, and some more... Who will win? Only time will tell...
Thaksin gives very impressive lecture on economic and finance but the bottomline, Cambodians are the ones who decide what direction we want to go. Thanksin comes and goes.
Can we build move to more proper while we continue to keep the same way we do (corruption).
Like a very smart and excellent doctor, who explains in detail and gives an impressive analyse how to stop smoking to his patients but finally the patients who the ones that can say YES or NO.
Cambodia don't need a man like Thaksin to solve economics problem in this country. Cambodia is rich in natural resouces. To make Cambodia better is to have good governance, no corruption. Thaksin came to Cambodia only for political resaon.
Good and well educated oversea Khmer did not blame that much of the today situation in our country, because the knew the reality.
Some Khmers live outside Cambodia love to say, they know every thing.
My dear 1:16AM,
If someone tells you that he knows everything, you can just tell him that he is one of the biggest liars in the whole world. Nobody knows everything, and I'm sure that most, if not all, oversea Khmers wouldn't say something as you suggested. Most of us just see things in a broader view and for this reason alone we are called SRP supporters. I for one, have no party affiliation but I tend to favor democratic thinkings and the reason for that is that I live in a democracy state and I can see how the rules of law are applied here. Please don't believe that everything is perfect in the democratic countries like the US. We have our own problems too. Even if we become citizens of another state by way of naturilization but we always care deeply about our motherland. We always want the best for our poor Khmers who suffer endlessly from the selfish policies of their leaders who always care more about their own pockets than the welfare of their citizens. I sincerely hope that Cambodian and Thai governments will come to a common ground and work things out to avoid more damages and hopefully there will be no bloodshed. Currently, it is fortunate that military of both sides of the borders leave these silly but damaging political games to their governments.
Let face it! For 30 years Hun Sen government is incapable of lifting 80% of dirt poor Cambodian people out of poverty except borrowing, borrowing, and more borrowing from other countries such as China, Korea, Japan...
To have Thaksin in Cambodia and bang some of his economic concepts into the head of Hun Sen stupid officials is a breath of fresh air! I believe Thaksin has not fail Thailand and it is the Thai King who fail Thaksin for sponsoring military coup to overthrow him from power!
Thaksin hasn't fail Cambodia yet either because Cambodia has not given Thaksin a chance to prove who he is!
If the Thai news media, PAD, and ABISHIT illegal government choose to hate Thaksin and Cambodian people and Cambodian leaders have the choice not to hate Thaksin!
If anything to come out of Thaksin-Hun Sen economic policy and it would take years to find out! I say give Thaksin a chance!
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
for for cambodia and khmer people. yes, we need and can learn from the experts so we can rebuild our country destroyed by the stupid KR regime, you know! people that use politics to attacks others here are not thinking straight in terms of benefits for cambodia as a nation. of course, there are more to cambodia than you and i, really! when cambodia benefit in terms of development as a whole, our entire nation and khmer people will definitely benefit as well, really. please think smartly and cleverly about it. it's ok to keep our culture identity as khmer, however, we have to also adjust and adopt to the modern world as well, especially if it serves us all well, really! nothing is absolute anymore as the dark years of the KR era showed and taught us to be skeptical and be humble in our outlook and personal pride, etc... we all need to educate our people so our nation can benefit from a well-informed or well-educated population. yes, men come and go, however the nation and its institutions are forever, you know! we have to train ourselves to think beyond the present-day and outside of national boundary as well. otherwise, we are blinded by our own outdated rhetorics, philosophy, pride, etc... god bless cambodia.
When you're in trouble, you have friend. They can get you out of it. Thaksin is criminal in Thailand. That's because you did not hear from his friend or the Puea Party. You're hearing it from Mr. Hun Sen now. Hun Sen said that right in the middle of Mr. Thaksin was trying to build up Thailand and Cambodia, was when they punished him. They looked at him as a potential treat to the Monarchy. It's all political game and Abhisit wants Thailand and the royal family under his fingers. That is all there is to it. Cambodia needs Thaksin. No Abhisit.
That is nonsense for Thaksin helping Cambodia. Thanksin is using Hun sen to get back to Abhisit, and Hun Sen uses Thanksin for future Prea Vihear gain.
to pourk ah chakout khmer support ah Hun kwack sen about ah thaksin is wrong. you dup and stupidity, if Hun sen smart he will hired the economic expert from American and England and other east european not west european to give his advice about economic. if ah kwack hun sen hire those european people i think our country will boost up and we do not worry about war with our neightbor. ah hun kwack sen will feel free from guilt because he do not worry about somboday take and advantage over somebody.
see how japanes economic grow all economic expert in Japan are an american intelectual and other european inteligent men and women and not japaness people who are create their economic. because those white people they do it with with their heart not like taksin. if taksin do it he do it without his heart. he born thailand so he still love thai country may be he does not want us to be better than thai especialist Asian people have a narrow heart.
whatever. Thaksin is good man.
6:24am is deaf. Mr. Thaksin said, he wants to create and bring jobs to Cambodia. So that they don't have to go to Thailand to find works. They can find jobs here right at home. Then Cambodian people will have power or money to buy Thai's good. Meaning, it's good for Cambodia, it's also good for Thailand. What more do you want him to say? Give him a break. The man is gold. Are you a dumb F*?
Koh Kong to Hong Kong II
fuck you 7:59 am have you learn any thing about thai people? have you learn any thing about recent politic with thai? they say yes in fron of you once they go back to their country they do differnce thing. have you learn about thai behavior? thai still thai and a lier people. can you trust taksin? what he say right now just words you can not take all his words and trust him he say it for today and tomorrow he change his mind who care? pluse i do not trust asian people because they are stupid and dump never find anything by themself coppy and still every thing from other nation that all asian brain can do.
fuck you 7:59 am and thai country is very small their people brain are also small compare to america and other west european country and most of these european country their brain are clear and big becouse majority of these people they travel all over the world. if they do go to any Asian country they still the boss of these Asian dummy.
look at Japanese,American make them a law and economic of these country also the white people advice them. china right now the samething, japanes is the riches country in Asian and china is the bigest country in the world but on economic side American is the one who led them and advice them.
fuck you 7:59 am if you are a frog in the will. right now you get some tip from me and go to the book store and do some research about china and Japaness and other thing else don't blind and still blind let some other blind people like ah taksin and ah ignorant kwack hun sen familly lie to you. learn a recent and a past history of thai and youn with khme. don't be dump and belive everything someother people say.
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