Wednesday, February 10, 2010

Hun Sen's rant is 'proof that ties will remain shaky'

10/02/2010
Anucha Charoenpo
Bangkok Post


Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva says the personal attacks on him by his Cambodian counterpart Hun Sen are proof of why the shaky ties between the two countries cannot return to normal.

But Mr Abhisit said yesterday he would not react to the abuse from the Cambodian leader.

Matters involving Thailand's sovereignty would be handled by the Foreign Affairs Ministry.

''We will not let any country violate our territory and sovereignty,'' he said.

Hun Sen wrapped up his three-day visit to the Thai-Cambodia border on Monday by launching a blistering attack on Mr Abhisit on a website.

He accused Mr Abhisit of coming to power undemocratically and of causing trouble with neighbouring countries.

He also said, among other things, that Thai soldiers had entered Cambodian territory.

Hun Sen launched the attack after visiting a military office about six kilometres inside Cambodian territory across from Ta Muan Thom temple in Surin's Phanom Dong Rak.

The Cambodian premier had planned to visit the temple ruins but he was advised by Bangkok to abandon the trip for fear the People's Alliance for Democracy would stage a protest against the visit.

Mr Abhisit said Hun Sen's attack had showed how sour the relations between the two countries had become.

The outburst demonstrated that Thailand had not initiated the decline in diplomatic relations, he said.

Government spokesman Panitan Wattanayagorn said the government would not react harshly to Hun Sen's words. Bangkok could opt for a softer approach by having the Foreign Ministry send a letter to Phnom Penh refuting Hun Sen's allegations. The international community would take a dim view of Hun Sen's remarks, Mr Panitan said.

Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban said it was unnecessary for the government to react to the outburst.

Mr Suthep, who oversees national security, said he believed Hun Sen made his remarks in a fit of anger after he was unable to visit Ta Muan Thom temple.

Relations with Cambodia soured after Bangkok reversed its position to support Cambodia's application to unilaterally list the ancient Preah Vihear temple as a Unesco World Heritage Site. Ownership of the land around the temple is disputed by the two countries.

Ties plunged to a new low when Hun Sen appointed fugitive prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra as his personal adviser and as an economic adviser to his government.

Thailand asked Cambodia to extradite Thaksin when he visited Phnom Penh last November, but the request was denied.

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

Vekchhajiva look down the whole world people by declaring untruth. The whole world are knowing that the proof of why the shaky ties between the two countries cannot return to normal is "Thailand invades Cambodia".

Anonymous said...

The shaky ties between the two countries cannot return to normal when Thailand still to be the robber, invader.

Anonymous said...

cambodia don't care about what siem thugs are thinking now! we don't need siem thugs like that, you know!

Anonymous said...

To the stupid THai,

If Cambodia invading or encroaching your land why don't you attack to protect your country since Cambodia violated your "We will not let any country violate our territory and sovereignty," said Ahbisit.

Look, you don't even make any sense that Cambodia violated your sovereignty.

It should be the other way around.

Anonymous said...

Since when Cambodia invade Thailand. Only YOUN and Thai has taken Khmer's lands.

Give them all back to Cambodia and we will live in peace.

Otherwise Cambodia will eliminate you both from the face of the world.

We got help and technology from N. Korea. We will nuke Thailand first then YUON second.

Anonymous said...

Dear Sirs,

If Thailand withdraws its troops from the Cambodian Land near Prasat Preah Vihear and keeps the statu quo as before the 15 July 2008, the problem between the two countries will be finished.

We, Cambodians are very happy to hear this opinion would be realised. We may enjoy the full relationship between the two nations as the one before the 15 July 2008.

Dear Thai friends, please be noted that if the actual government of Mr. Abhishit Vekchajiva is honest and orders the troops withdrawal, we, Cambodians and Thais are very good friends. And our relations and cooperation will boost for our mutual benefit aqnd good future.

Thank You for your kind understanding and consider this opinion as a practical one.

Ly

Anonymous said...

chas min dael kmean pleung heuy,mean psang noos tae!