Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Sen (L) greets Thai parliamentarians who are red shirt supporters of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra at hotel in Seim Reap province, 32km southwest of Phnom Penh, November 13, 2009. REUTERS/Chor SokuntheaNovember 14, 2009
The Nation
As they pose for photos with Hun Sen, some politicians have forgotten what they represent
The presence of Thai politicians in Cambodia, where they have been mingling happily with the neighbouring country's political elite, has added to the growing irony of the Thaksin Shinawatra saga. With bilateral ties strained to near-breaking point following a flurry of diplomatic tit-for-tat, photos of the Thai lawmakers in an extremely cordial mood alongside Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen makes for surreal viewing. Of course, these Thais have been questioning the legitimacy of Abhisit Vejjajiva's government, but standing on Cambodian soil to do so is going a step too far.
The pro-Thaksin politicians are obviously betting everything they have on their beloved leader. They must be convinced that despite the Cambodian controversy, which has boosted the popularity of the Democrats, will not alter voters' loyalty in Thaksin's strongholds.
Giving Hun Sen full approval for his action, the politicians have all but shown contempt for the sovereignty of Thailand, which is under the control of the Democrats.
Thaksin has gone past the point of no return, and these politicians are on the verge of crossing that line as well. They might be thinking that it is a matter between Hun Sen in Cambodia and the Democrats in Thailand, but the fast-deteriorating situation will soon prove them wrong. For one thing, their "grip-and-grin" photo sessions with Cambodian leaders were taking place just as a Thai citizen was being arrested and accused of spying.
The whole idea of "national interest" has been blurred by this weird diplomatic row, at least in the eyes of the pro-Thaksin camp. The ousted leader obviously wants to use Cambodia to discredit the integrity of the Thai justice system, which found him guilty in the Ratchadaphisek land case. That is understandable because he is a fugitive trying to whitewash his image.
However, for Thai politicians to do the same - undermine the courts that are supposed to represent our political system - the implications are much more profound.
The increasing popularity of Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, whose ratings were trailing Thaksin's before the Cambodian row started, has apparently failed to warn the opposition bloc that many Thais believe dragging Phnom Penh into the fray is simply not the right thing to do. No matter how "right" Thaksin supporters believe their beloved leader is and no matter how "wrong" they think his opponents are, this is simply not the way to seek "justice" for him.
Cambodia taunted Thailand's justice system in its letter rejecting Bangkok's extradition request. The message read as if Thaksin had written it himself, because it used the very same points that he has been using all along to argue against the Ratchadaphisek land verdict: the ruling was "politically motivated" and was the result of a coup that toppled a prime minister who was "overwhelmingly" and "democratically" elected by his people.
Now, the Phnom Penh leadership has convinced itself that it can give lectures on democracy and political persecution, and this is owed to Thaksin, Chavalit Yongchaiyudh and other politicians who believe that their first task is to defend their leader, not Thailand's reputation.
They are playing a major role in a dangerous diplomatic situation by making it easier for Hun Sen to not take a step back and reconsider his own actions. While Thai reporters covering the controversial Thaksin visit in Cambodia were barred from attending his address to businessmen on Thursday, the red-shirt group's TV station in Bangkok managed to air the entire speech to its audience in Thailand.
Cambodia has been encouraged to play a divisive game when it comes to Thailand, having virtually denounced the current Thai state while giving a red-carpet welcome to a select few. We can be forgiven for thinking that this kind of intrigue belonged to the age of ancient warfare. Now, all we can do is pray that the Thai government does not lose its cool in the face of daily unnerving incidents.
The steps taken so far have been reasonable, because the Cambodians would have done the same if a "criminal" that they most wanted had checked into Bangkok's state guesthouse and had been ushered to a stage in front of applauding business elite.
Abhisit has declared his determination not to let this snowball into a total break-up of relations, and it is imperative that he does not waver from that resolve. Things have degenerated into a big diplomatic mess and Abhisit's job is to prevent this mess from getting worse.
The good thing for Abhisit is that he can get handsome political rewards for doing this job well. Thaksin's latest strategy has been embarrassing Bangkok, but it is also threatening to backfire drastically in domestic politics. Thaksin and Chavalit have become the most maligned names among the normally politically shy Thai Facebook users, though it can be argued that social networking websites were never Thaksin's political base.
Thaksin may think he has nothing to lose, because Abhisit won't be able to penetrate the North and Northeast in the next elections any way. However, if this is the idea that is really driving Thaksin, then it will just confirm the criticism that has hounded him since he took power. It was said in those days that Thaksin did not really care for the "other half" of the country. Yet if it isn't that, then there is no other way to explain his actions at the moment.
The presence of Thai politicians in Cambodia, where they have been mingling happily with the neighbouring country's political elite, has added to the growing irony of the Thaksin Shinawatra saga. With bilateral ties strained to near-breaking point following a flurry of diplomatic tit-for-tat, photos of the Thai lawmakers in an extremely cordial mood alongside Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen makes for surreal viewing. Of course, these Thais have been questioning the legitimacy of Abhisit Vejjajiva's government, but standing on Cambodian soil to do so is going a step too far.
The pro-Thaksin politicians are obviously betting everything they have on their beloved leader. They must be convinced that despite the Cambodian controversy, which has boosted the popularity of the Democrats, will not alter voters' loyalty in Thaksin's strongholds.
Giving Hun Sen full approval for his action, the politicians have all but shown contempt for the sovereignty of Thailand, which is under the control of the Democrats.
Thaksin has gone past the point of no return, and these politicians are on the verge of crossing that line as well. They might be thinking that it is a matter between Hun Sen in Cambodia and the Democrats in Thailand, but the fast-deteriorating situation will soon prove them wrong. For one thing, their "grip-and-grin" photo sessions with Cambodian leaders were taking place just as a Thai citizen was being arrested and accused of spying.
The whole idea of "national interest" has been blurred by this weird diplomatic row, at least in the eyes of the pro-Thaksin camp. The ousted leader obviously wants to use Cambodia to discredit the integrity of the Thai justice system, which found him guilty in the Ratchadaphisek land case. That is understandable because he is a fugitive trying to whitewash his image.
However, for Thai politicians to do the same - undermine the courts that are supposed to represent our political system - the implications are much more profound.
The increasing popularity of Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, whose ratings were trailing Thaksin's before the Cambodian row started, has apparently failed to warn the opposition bloc that many Thais believe dragging Phnom Penh into the fray is simply not the right thing to do. No matter how "right" Thaksin supporters believe their beloved leader is and no matter how "wrong" they think his opponents are, this is simply not the way to seek "justice" for him.
Cambodia taunted Thailand's justice system in its letter rejecting Bangkok's extradition request. The message read as if Thaksin had written it himself, because it used the very same points that he has been using all along to argue against the Ratchadaphisek land verdict: the ruling was "politically motivated" and was the result of a coup that toppled a prime minister who was "overwhelmingly" and "democratically" elected by his people.
Now, the Phnom Penh leadership has convinced itself that it can give lectures on democracy and political persecution, and this is owed to Thaksin, Chavalit Yongchaiyudh and other politicians who believe that their first task is to defend their leader, not Thailand's reputation.
They are playing a major role in a dangerous diplomatic situation by making it easier for Hun Sen to not take a step back and reconsider his own actions. While Thai reporters covering the controversial Thaksin visit in Cambodia were barred from attending his address to businessmen on Thursday, the red-shirt group's TV station in Bangkok managed to air the entire speech to its audience in Thailand.
Cambodia has been encouraged to play a divisive game when it comes to Thailand, having virtually denounced the current Thai state while giving a red-carpet welcome to a select few. We can be forgiven for thinking that this kind of intrigue belonged to the age of ancient warfare. Now, all we can do is pray that the Thai government does not lose its cool in the face of daily unnerving incidents.
The steps taken so far have been reasonable, because the Cambodians would have done the same if a "criminal" that they most wanted had checked into Bangkok's state guesthouse and had been ushered to a stage in front of applauding business elite.
Abhisit has declared his determination not to let this snowball into a total break-up of relations, and it is imperative that he does not waver from that resolve. Things have degenerated into a big diplomatic mess and Abhisit's job is to prevent this mess from getting worse.
The good thing for Abhisit is that he can get handsome political rewards for doing this job well. Thaksin's latest strategy has been embarrassing Bangkok, but it is also threatening to backfire drastically in domestic politics. Thaksin and Chavalit have become the most maligned names among the normally politically shy Thai Facebook users, though it can be argued that social networking websites were never Thaksin's political base.
Thaksin may think he has nothing to lose, because Abhisit won't be able to penetrate the North and Northeast in the next elections any way. However, if this is the idea that is really driving Thaksin, then it will just confirm the criticism that has hounded him since he took power. It was said in those days that Thaksin did not really care for the "other half" of the country. Yet if it isn't that, then there is no other way to explain his actions at the moment.
9 comments:
I think this trouble maker PAD Thai group do not want people to get a long. Everything the red shirt people do is a step too far. What about their action keep out people from the two country from getting along? What about the coup they did the Taksin, isn't that a step too far? It is a step too far for everything unless you stop fighting for your cause...then who are you?
The Nation of shame.
Thai newspaper such as Bangkok Post, the The Nation are member of yellow shirts. They participate at yellow shirt rally. And use their partial opinion for their own group benefit politicaly.
The whole Thai Nation is loosing face, thanks to PM Hun Sen. This is what happen when you are too arrogant and looking down on your neighbor. Thai people always think that they can walk on water and their shit don't stink. It is nothing wrong to be proud of who you are, but when you starting to look down on other people it will back fire on you only a matter of time. Like it or not, Siem, Laos, Khmer and Youn will be neighbor for life, we have to treat each other with respect and failing to do so a bad karma will follows.
Cambodia Town
Long Beach, Ca
Samdech Techo Hun Sen has made many friends around him. Contrary, to Thai PM Abhisit Vejjajiva was busy to prepare to handle power as possible longer.
New Phally
Soon or later Abhisit will bow and kneel down to HUN SEN..
On November 25, 2009 an auspicious date to remember!!!!
Thailand and Cambodia should together celebrate the coming 84th birthday of Princess Bejaratana Rajasuda Sirisobhabannavadi of Thailand (Thai: สมเด็จพระเจ้าภคินีเธอ เจ้าฟ้าเพชรรัตนราชสุดา สิริโสภาพัณณวดี) (born 24 November 1925) is the only daughter of late HM King Vajiravudh of Thailand and Queen Suvadhana (who was of Khmer descent). She is a first cousin of current HM King Bhumibol Adulyadej and third cousin of HM King Sihanouk of Cambodia. She is officially styled Her Royal Highness Princess Bejaratana.
maybe not all thai citizens are bad like the pad thug ones, really!
There you go 6:02am. It's about time somebody thought about the Princess.
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