Tuesday, August 24, 2010

Thaksin's resignation is good for Thailand and Cambodia

The warming of relations between Thailand and Cambodia after Thaksin Shinawatra's resignation as an economic advisor of the Cambodian government should set the stage for a cordial atmosphere in the next round of border dispute talks.

24/08/2010

By Veera Prateepchaikul
Opinion
Bangkok Post


Whether Thaksin Shinawatra’s resignation as an economic advisor of Cambodia was voluntary or involuntary is not as significant as the action itself which is mutually beneficial to both Thailand and Cambodia. Even the convicted former prime minister stands to benefit from it – at least he will not be viewed with contempt by many of his compatriots of siding with Cambodia against his own motherland.

Thaksin’s resignation which was disclosed Monday by the spokesman of the Cambodian foreign ministry Mr Koy Kuong has prompted Bangkok to reinstate its ambassador to Phnom Penh Mr Prasas Prasasvinitchai who was recalled to Bangkok one day after Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen named Thaksin an economic advisor on last November 4. Mr Koy also said that Cambodia would reciprocate if Thailand reinstates its ambassador.

Although reinstatement of ambassadors has raised hope of normalization of relations between Thailand and Cambodia, this is a separate issue from the border dispute over the 4.6 square kilometer land plot surrounding the Preah Vihear or Khao Phra Viharn ancient temple claimed by both countries. This was clearly stated by Cambodian government spokesman Khieu Kanharith who said that Thaksin quit because he was busy with a lot of work.

Whatever the real reason behind Thaksin’s resignation, the warming of relations in the aftermath of his action should help improve the atmosphere of the forthcoming talks between the two countries to settle the border dispute. Although finding a solution which will be acceptable to both sides may not be easy.

To further ease the tension and to build up an atmosphere conducive to negotiations, it is recommended that the two sides withdraw their troops further away from the disputed territory in order to avoid any accidential clash between the opposing troops which will unnecessarily heighten the tension.

And as far as Thaksin is concerned, it will be good for both Thailand and Cambodia and for the man himself that he stays away as far as possible from Cambodia. If he so wishes to serve Cambodia to make use of his extensive expertise and connections, he should and can do so after he returns home to face the one-year jailterm imposed upon him by the Supreme Court’s criminal division for political office holders.

For the disputed territory at issue, one reasonable way out which will be mutually beneficial is for the two countries to jointly manage the land leaving aside the issue about its sovereignty pending negotiations which is time-consuming.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

No more hope with Taksin,
Hun Sen fired Taksin,
Hun Sen fucked Taksin for his personal interest,
before, Hun Sen thought about to live in Dubai with Taksin
and now he would go to live in Iran,
he doesn't need Taksin anymore.

Anonymous said...

CAMBODIAN PEOPLE MUST KILL HUN SEN NOW BEFORE HE'S DESTROYING YOUR LOVELY COUNTRY. HE MUST GO. HE'S IN POWER TO LONG AND MAKE KHMER PEOPLE SUFFERING TOO MUCH. ANY KHMER MILLIONAIRE WHO LOVE YOUR COUNTRY MUST HIRE A SNIPER GET RID OF HUN SEN BEFORE HE MAKES CAMBODIAN NEXT GENERATION SUFFER AGAIN. KILL PM HUN SEN NOW OR HE'S GONNA KILL YOU LATER.