Ties with Cambodia can now be boosted

August 25, 2010
By Supalak Ganjanakhundee
The Nation

Thaksin's resignation and good relations with Cambodia may not be good for Abhisit, since he may have no points to divert pressure from his yellow-shirt allies on the border dispute over Preah Vihear Temple

Without Thaksin, Hun Sen will have free hand to resolve border dispute

Former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra might be able to maintain good personal relations with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, but he was no longer useful for Phnom Penh in relations with Thailand, analysts said yesterday.

Even Thaksin's legal adviser and former foreign minister Noppa-don Pattama admitted Thaksin's resignation as an adviser to Cambodia could pave the way for the two countries to restore bilateral ties.

Opposition Pheu Thai MP Jatuporn Promphan said yesterday the resignation showed Thaksin's neutrality and international skill as he realised the Thai government under Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva would exploit Thaksin's status as a condition to spoil relations with Cambodia for domestic political gain.

But analysts were divided on the reasons for Thaksin's resignation.

A Cambodian official said it came at Thaksin's request, as he found it tough to fulfil his duty as an economic adviser to the Cambodian government and Prime Minister Hun Sen due to his overseas business.

Another argued that Thaksin made the decision not because of his business but realised Cambodia could not help him achieve his political goals.

Hun Sen opened his country for Thaksin to use as a meeting place for red-shirt groups, but the Cambodian premier could not do more.

Thaksin's red shirts were dispersed after a series of violent street clashes in April and May. About 80 red protesters died and some 1,900 people were hurt in the military crackdown - but the Thai elite and middle class still poured in support for the government.

It was clear Hun Sen played a "bad card" with Thaksin in regard to bilateral relations with Thailand as the former Thai premier - ousted in the 2006 coup - failed in several attempts to return to power. Hun Sen is no political novice. He must know that backing Thaksin is a negative for Cambodia.

A Phnom Penh-based analyst said Thaksin's resignation was a relief for relations with Thailand, from Hun Sen's point of view. From now on, Abhisit would not be able to blame Hun Sen for their sour relations. All allegations over a conflict of interest or Thaksin's interest in a border deal with Cambodia, which were often made by the Thai government, were no longer valid.

The appointment of Thaksin as Hun Sen's adviser was a key excuse for Abhisit to downgrade diplomatic relations with Cambodia. Abhisit scrapped a memorandum of understanding signed in 2001 on a maritime deal during Thaksin's administration, blaming Thaksin for having a personal interest in an oil concession in overlapping areas in the Gulf of Thailand.

"Let's see what [other issues] Abhisit can raise and blame Hun Sen to stall the border dispute settlement," a Cambodian official said.

But Thaksin's resignation and good relations with Cambodia may not be good for Abhisit, since he may have no points to divert pressure from his yellow-shirt allies on the border dispute over Preah Vihear Temple.

The yellow-shirt People's Alliance for Democracy, who helped install Abhisit in power, wants the government to revoke the pact on land boundary demarcation signed with Cambodia in 2000 and to use force to take over disputed areas adjacent to Preah Vihear.

But Abhisit could never do that while Thailand has good ties with Cambodia.