[Thai] PM: Too many conflicting signals from Cambodia [-It looks like Abhisit is turning all Cambodia's proposals into his own. Can he still rein in the army?]

April 28, 2011
By NERISA NERYKHIEW
THE NATION

The government has stepped up the call for Cambodia to stop firing into Thailand and is urging Asean leaders to convince Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen to commence bilateral negotiations.

The call was made at a House session yesterday that was held to discuss the conflicting signals coming from Cambodia, which is calling for a ceasefire and negotiations but shelling Thai territory over the past six days at the same time. 

"The government is doing everything in its power to restore peace as soon as possible at the Thai-Cambodian border," Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said.

The neighbouring country initiated an armed attack on Thailand, which had not been anticipated or justified, Abhisit said, adding that the Army was duty-bound to repel the attack and had followed internationally accepted rules of engagement. He insisted that the skirmish was limited to military targets.

The government has always been ready to settle the dispute via bilateral negotiations, he said, adding that suspiciously Cambodia had offered a ceasefire on Tuesday but it did not stop shelling. He said he intended to meet his Cambodian counterpart in Jakarta on the sidelines of the Asean Summit next month.

Pro-Thaksin Protesters Vow To Block Asean Summit In Thailand

Tuesday January 6th, 2009

BANGKOK (AFP)--Supporters of Thailand's exiled former premier Thaksin Shinawatra said Tuesday they would hold rallies to block a summit of Southeast Asian nations, but the government brushed off the threat.

Red-clad Thaksin loyalists have held a series of protests since new Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva came to power in mid-December, following a court ruling that removed the former pro-Thaksin government from power.

They have threatened to seal off February's Association of Southeast Asian Nations, or Asean, meeting in protest at the new foreign minister, who was involved in a recent blockade of Bangkok's airports by anti-Thaksin protesters.

"We will write to all nine Asean ambassadors to ask them to convey our message that the red-shirts will not allow Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya to host the Asean meeting," core pro-Thaksin leader Jatuporn Prompan said.

"We will not allow the terrorist Kasit to host the summit. We will mobilize hundreds of thousands to rally to show that the majority of Thai people do not accept him," said Jatuporn, who is also an opposition lawmaker.

The summit was originally due to take place in December but was postponed due to the airport blockade by the yellow-shirted People's Alliance for Democracy protest movement late last year.

The PAD accused the previous government of being a proxy for telecommunications tycoon Thaksin, who was ousted in a military coup in 2006 and currently lives abroad to avoid a jail sentence on corruption charges.

Abhisit's new government has since repeatedly rescheduled the meeting, with the latest unconfirmed dates being in late February.

Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban, who is responsible for national security, quickly dismissed the threat and promised not to move the summit out of Bangkok.

"I am not concerned and insist that the meeting will be held in Bangkok and not moved to Phuket," he said, referring to Thailand's southern tourist island which had been mooted as an alternative venue.

"The red-shirts are trying to make a move, but I don't think it will make Asean members boycott the meeting in Thailand," he said.

Abhisit had hoped to use the delayed summit to regain international confidence after three years of political turmoil in Thailand including the unprecedented shut down of Bangkok's airports.

Asean groups Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, the Philippines, Indonesia, Myanmar, Brunei, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam.

Thai Premier Abhisit defies protesters for maiden speech

Thai Premier Abhisit Vejjajiva delivers his maiden speech a day late (Reuters/Sukree Sukplang)

December 30, 2008
Anne Barrowclough
Times Online (UK)

Thailand's new premier Abhisit Vejjajiva delivered his maiden speech today in defiance of the thousands of protesters blockading parliament.

Mr Abhisit moved to the foreign ministry to make his speech, in order to avoid the anti-government demonstrators who have surrounded parliament for a second day running, forcing him to postpone his mandated policy speech yesterday.

With the country in economic and political turmoil in the wake of the airport blockade that brought the country to a standstill, he was expected to unveil plans for a 300 billion baht (£5.9 billion) spending plan to jump-start the economy and its crucial tourist industry.

Appealing for unity to ease the economic crisis threatening to engulf the country, Mr Abhisit told MPs: "The urgent measures in the first year are restoring confidence and stimulating the economy, increasing people's revenue and decreasing people's expenses.

"We will keep negotiating and mediating. I beg everyone, including all the lawmakers and officials, to dedicate our (New Year) holiday for the country in order to move our country forward," he said.

He warned that renewed turmoil could push the country into recession, saying: "Political conflicts that have spread to civic groups could push the economy, along with the tourism industry, into recession if action is not taken quickly to resolve them and revive confidence among investors and foreign tourists.

"These conflicts are the country's weakness, especially at a time the world economy is entering its worst crisis in a century," he said.

Under the Thai Constitution, the government cannot start work until its policies have been laid out before parliament. But on Monday the politicians refused to run the gauntlet of red-shirted members of the Democratic Alliance against Dictatorship (DAAD) outside parliament, although the demonstrators promised not to harm them.

Early on Tuesday MPs arrived at parliament in a fleet of police vans but when protesters refused to clear the way they moved to the foreign ministry.

A handful of protesters who support the ousted Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra confronted police outside the ministry as proceedings began.

The demonstrations remained peaceful although some ministry staffers were seen climbing small ladders to get over a fence to flee the compound.

The latest protests have raised fears of a renewed descent into political chaos after months of protests by the anti-Thaksin group People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD), which brought the country's economy to its knees.

Eton and Oxford educated Mr Abhisit scraped into power in a closely fought election on December 17, to become the country's third prime minister in four months.

His election, which came after the previous government of Somchai Wongsawat was dissolved by the Constitutional Court, raised hopes that it would soothe political tensions.

But his party, which had been in opposition since 2001, and won mainly thanks to the pressure of his supporters in the military, heads a coalition that some analysts doubt is strong enough to last until the next general election, due in 2011.

The manner of his rise to power is also a cause of concern. The protesters of DAAD, an eclectic mix of farmers, urban labourers and supporters of Mr Thaksin, who was ousted in a coup in 2006, claim his ascent was a coup by stealth.

'Thai government may fall in 2009' [:President of Miracle Fengshui Co.]

Mon, Dec 29, 2008
Wannapa Phetdee
Dailyxpress, ANN

Nineteen unlucky cabinet members may bring about the government's downfall through a House dissolution by the middle of next year if Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva does not reshuffle his cabinet at that time, a renowned fortune-teller has warned.

Meanwhile, another predicts that the Abhisit government will stay in power for more than a year.

"Ten out of 36 cabinet members will probably have bad fortune while nine others may find themselves in a tense situation that can lead to Parliament being dissolved near the middle of next year," says Phanuwat Phanwichartkul, president of Miracle Fengshui Company.

"So far most of them - or up to 24 members - have good luck, so the government will enjoy happiness till February 5. Only 12 have bad luck now," Phanuwat adds.

But from April to May, things are likely to change as most of the 19 will have bad luck, which can probably see a House dissolution if the premier doesn't reshuffle his cabinet. More-over, Abhisit himself will meet a hapless fate after April, when his government will encounter insoluble problems, predicts Phanuwat.

He warns the government to beware of bloodshed following protests in April, July and October if a new election is not held. "Abhisit's horoscope shows that he's clever, self-confident, quite stubborn and generous. This year is a lucky year for him, but he has to prepare well for the coming year. He should be less stubborn so that he won't fail in governing the country."

However, another famous astrologer, Astrology Academy director Kornharis Buasuang, predicts that Abhisit's government will stay in power for more than a year as the political situation will improve from September.

"If the government can pass September, I'm certain that it will be able to last the full four-year term," Kornharis says.

Phanuwat also predicts that between 2010 and 2011 politics will take on a brighter side.

Both fortune-tellers insist the political situation and economy will start getting better next year, but Thais and foreigners have to prepare for terrorism and natural disasters, especially earthquakes, in the country.

Good names and numbers

"Next year is an unlucky year for people born in the year of the goat, so they must beware of health problems, accidents and complications in running a business. Those born in the year of the cock, small snake and rat will have a good year," Phanuwat says. "Also, women whose Chinese horoscope ages end with the number 2, 5 or 8 and men whose ages end with 3, 6 or 9 should be careful next year. Add one year if you want to compare those ages with Thai ages."

Celebrities whose nicknames start with 'Y' or those known as 'Yo Yak' in the Thai alphabet are expected to experience job difficulties in 2009. But celebrities whose names start or end with S, H and L or 'Lo Chula' in the Thai alphabet will be lucky, Kornharis concludes.

Friction with Cambodia over Preah Vihear will be a challenge for Abhisit's leadership skills

An unenviable job to rebuild Thailand's credibility

Friday December 19, 2008
PAVIN CHATCHAVALPONGPUN
Bangkok Post

He is smart, suave, even posh, as a leader. At the same time, he is perceived as being bland and inexperienced as a politician. Abhisit Vejjajiva, leader of the Democrat party, is Thailand's 27th prime minister at a time when Thailand seems to have slipped further into a political coma.

There will be no honeymoon period for the new prime minister. Restoring confidence in the economy, stamping his authority on the fragile coalition, and healing the deeply divided Thai society will be Mr Abhisit's burning issues.

Since Thailand has been so preoccupied with the escalating political violence at home, its foreign policy has been overlooked. Since the military coup of September 2006, the Foreign Ministry has been so busy with having to explain Thailand's political situation to the world that it has been difficult to plan a long-term strategy in the domain of foreign affairs.

Can Mr Abhisit change this?

During Mr Abhisit's visit to Singapore on August 17, 2005 as leader of the opposition party, he delivered a speech to a group of Singaporean academics and diplomats. His eloquent use of English was impressive, as well as his vision on how he would situate Thailand at the centre of regional gravity if he became prime minister, one day.

That day has finally come. PM Abhisit has already talked about reviving an active foreign policy, which, to him, has been in hibernation for too long. He pledged to host the Asean summit much earlier than scheduled, probably in February.

Abhisit is likely to reinstate Asean as the cornerstone of Thai foreign policy, a real departure from the Thaksin era. Judging from his party's record, democracy and respect of human rights will be a prominent part in its foreign policy platform. The two traits have long been trademarks of the Democrat party.

Can Abhisit learn something from Thaksin Shinawatra's past foreign policy? While in power from 2001 to 2006, Thaksin personalised Thai foreign policy, turning it into an active machine for the attainment of national interest. It also served his domestic agenda well: taking advantage of globalisation in order to feed the economic needs of local Thais.

To sustain the ambition, Thaksin launched a series of grandiose foreign policy initiatives. The Asia Cooperation Dialogue (ACD) and the Ayawady-Chao Phraya-Mekong Economic Cooperation Strategy (ACMECS) responded to Thaksin's call for transforming Thailand into a regional hegemon. The baht zone was established. Cultural diplomacy was exercised. In the meantime, he exploited the notion of nationalism at home, injecting it into his foreign policy. Remember when he declared Thai economic independence from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in 2003?

But were national interests the only objective of Thaksin? During his tenure, Thailand granted a 600-million-baht soft loan package to Burma to help upgrade its telecommunications. Miraculously, Thaksin's Shin Satellite won all the concessions. The company was offered the rights to be the only supplier for a satellite system in Burma. The line between national and private interests in this particular period was obscured, so was the face of Thai foreign policy.

PM Abhisit is standing at the crossroads in terms of Thailand's relations with its neighbours. Principle or profit? What will the new PM choose?

Judging from what the Democrats did in the past, it is not likely Thailand will walk the road paved by Thaksin. If the Democrat's "Flexible Engagement" policy can be rekindled, it will allow Thailand to voice concern over its neighbours' problems that may produce spill-over effects on the country.

But again, this could lead Thailand to face an intense reaction from Burma's brutal regime. From 1997-2001, the Chuan government's harsh stance vis-a-vis Rangoon caused bilateral relations to seriously deteriorate.

Also, Thailand's current friction with Cambodia over Preah Vihear, fuelled by a new surge in Thai nationalism, will challenge Mr Abhisit's leadership skills. Personal ties will only help to a certain extent. The friendliness between Thaksin and Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Sen meant nothing when the foundations of bilateral relations were shaky. Remember, the Thai Embassy in Phnom Penh was burned to the ground in 2003.

Mr Abhisit will also be tasked with fixing certain diplomatic missteps caused by the Thaksin administration. Asean has to be given first priority by the new government. If Thailand fails to lead this regional organisation, its reputation on the international stage will be tarnished.

Can Abhisit take one more step up the ladder and become a regional leader?

Thaksin was once tipped to become Asia's next leader at the time when other charismatic leaders in the region had left the scene.

The former PM has never given up this ambition, even now that he has lost power. He recently set up a foundation called "Building a Better Future Foundation" to recruit Asia's rising stars to tackle the economic crisis in the region and confront other pressing issues faced by developing nations.

Mr Abhisit has shown so far that he understands the world rather well. His global vision has been shaped by his long years in England. He expresses comfort in speaking to the foreign media. It is therefore possible that Mr Abhisit will emerge as one of a new breed of regional leaders who are young, energetic and who respect the limits and constraints of his own country.

But it will be a long road for Mr Abhisit to demonstrate his ability in the handling of the kingdom's diplomacy, an art that has been crafted by ingenious monarchs in the past. The first step for him is to rebuild confidence and credibility in the kingdom in the eyes of the world. And he has to do this sooner than later.

Dr Pavin Chachavalpongpun is a Visiting Research Fellow at the Institute of Southeast Asian Studies, Singapore.

Thai Foreign Minister nominee was involved with the PAD in opposing Preah Vihear listing as a World Heritage Site

New foreign minister hailed airport closures

Friday December 19, 2008
By Bangkok Post Reporters

The Democrat-led government is under criticism from its members over its plan to appoint former career diplomat Kasit Piromya as foreign minister because of his support for the actions of the PAD.

Democrat MPs have raised concern about Mr Kasit's suitability to serve in the Abhisit cabinet, a senior party source said.

Given his close affiliation with the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD), the former diplomat could be more of a liability than an asset, the source said.

The source said the Democrats would be compelled to answer questions about Mr Kasit's role in the PAD street protests.

Despite opposition within the party, Democrat leader and Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva favours Mr Kasit. He told party members he needed a foreign minister who could start work immediately he takes office.

Mr Kasit appeared as a regular guest speaker at PAD rallies which demanded the removal of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

More worrying for some Democrats was his recent speech about the PAD's takeover of Suvarnabhumi airport.

Mr Kasit hailed the shutdown of the capital's city's international airport, which left over 200,000 passengers stranded, as a "new innovation for public protests".

Foreign Ministry officials also disagreed with Mr Kasit holding the portfolio. They warned his hardline political stance could damage the prime minister's efforts to heal the nation.

They were also upset by Mr Kasit's criticism of the ministry's handling of the Preah Vihear issue.

He joined other PAD speakers in accusing the ministry of helping Cambodia get the ancient Hindu temple listed as a World Heritage site.

The ministry said it tried to protect Thai interests by making sure the listing would not affect Thai territory.

Another potential cabinet member facing criticism is Vithoon Nambutr, who is being touted for the social development and human security portfolio.

The cabinet lineup under the Democrat quota has been approved by the party's executives and a meeting of its members.

But a party source said any cabinet hopefuls opposed by the public could still be changed.

Cabinet seats for all coalition parties were settled but for those allocated to the Puea Pandin party, which was still negotiating with the Democrats for another seat, the source added.

Democrat secretary-general Suthep Thaugsuban said a complete cabinet list was expected to be submitted for royal endorsement today.

The Democrats have decided to give cabinet seats to two outsiders.

One is former army chief Gen Prawit Wongsuwan, who is tipped to be defence minister.

Senior Democrat members visited Gen Prawit at his home to ask him to join the new government.

Gen Prawit said he needed some time to consider the offer, but noted that he was impressed by the speech Mr Abhisit made after receiving his royal appointment as prime minister.

He denied that army chief Gen Anupong Paojinda was behind his nomination for the defence job.

"I make my own decisions. I am considering if I should work with the Democrat-led government," he said.

According to the source, Mr Abhisit has given the party's cabinet members three to six months to prove themselves.

Today the prime minister will go to Government House to take part in a merit-making ceremony and observe the progress of the clean-up.

Government House staff are continuing to tidy the premises, which were occupied by PAD demonstrators for several months.

Meanwhile, the Puea Thai party is considering Chalerm Yubamrung for the job of opposition leader, Nakhon Ratchasima MP Somchai Petprasert said.

The party's leader, Yongyuth Wichaidith, is not an MP.

He said the party had agreed the opposition leader must be a seasoned politician and Mr Chalerm, a list-MP, is a potential candidate. Mr Somchai said the party will give the government a three-month breathing space before filing a no-confidence motion.

Sacrava's Political Cartoon: The Burning Road

Cartoon by Sacrava (on the web at http://sacrava.blogspot.com)

Rong Chhun: Time to abandon bilateral talks with Thailand was long overdue

Cambodian gov't optimistic over appointment of new Thai PM

PHNOM PENH, Dec. 17 (Xinhua) -- The Cambodian government insists that the change of Thai Prime Minister will not reshape the border talks, which have always been rooted in past treaties and not in the personalities of the negotiators, Cambodian national media reported Wednesday.

"The border demarcation is purely a technical problem. The PAD politicized it, not the Democrat Party," Information Minister Khieu Kanharith told the Phnom Penh Post, distancing the new premier's party from the mobs of the anti-government People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) movement.

While he acknowledged that the new government "will have a tough time dealing with the (border) issue", he said they could not deny the existing treaties in place to support Cambodia's claims.

Meanwhile, Union leader Rong Chhun, who has been a vocal critic of the government's hands-off approach in negotiations with Thailand over the disputed territory along the shared border, said the time to abandon bilateral talks was long overdue.

"I've requested that the government stop negotiating with the Thai government. We will just lose a lot of time trying to negotiate with the new government. The Cambodian government must send a new letter to the United Nations' International Court," he was quoted by the Post as saying.

The office of prime minister in Thailand has been a veritable rotating door this year, limiting the chance of any resolution being reached on its disputed territory with Cambodia, the Post said.

Cambodian leaders cautiously welcome new Thai government

Dec 17, 2008
DPA

Phnom Penh - Cambodian foreign affairs officials on Wednesday welcomed the ascent of a new government to power in Thailand but said it needed to take immediate action to resolve an ongoing border dispute between the two countries.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman Kuy Kung said the new government was likely to improve relations between the two South-East Asian neighbours despite Thai prime minister-designate Abhisit Vejjajiva's history of strong rhetoric over the Preah Vihear temple dispute.

'We continue to have a good relationship with Thailand, and this will improve with the appointment of Abhisit Vejjajiva as prime minister,' Kuy Kung said.

'We are waiting until Thailand has a new Parliament to resume negotiations about the border issue, but we believe the new government will end delays in negotiations and bring about a fast resolution,' he said.

Tensions over border demarcation at the 11th-century temple escalated into a military standoff in July after UNESCO added the site to its World Heritage List.

Abhisit in July called on the Thai government to take a stronger stance on the dispute to ensure Thailand maintained control over the area.

He is the leader of the opposition Democrat Party, which put together a coalition government after the former ruling People Power Party was dissolved this month on a court order that found it guilty of vote buying.

Cambodian Information Minister Khieu Kanarith told the Phnom Penh Post newspaper the appointment of the new Thai government would end months of anti-government protests in Bangkok by the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD), which he said had stalled negotiations over Preah Vihear.

'The border demarcation is purely a technical problem,' he said. 'The PAD politicized it, not the Democrat Party.'