Thai Foreign Minister: Please do not incite a dispute, we acknowledge that Cambodia has been suffering for a long time

Mr. Kasit Piromya (Photo by Thai media).

Koh Santepheap newspaper

17th-18th January, 2009
Reported in English by Khmerization

According to a Thai website published on 16th January, 2009 Mr. Kasit Piromya has talked a lengths about the state of affairs of Thailand, including the Thai economy, Thai diplomacy and the border issues with Cambodia. The site reported that Mr. Kasit was trying to project a good image of Thailand, an image that has been suffering negative portrayals in recent times, to the international community.

Touching on the Preah Vihear border issues with Cambodia, Mr. Kasit said that Thailand and Cambodia had the same base of traditions for nearly two thousand years. These traditions are the factors that bind the two countries' ties together.

He said the Franco-Siam Treaty of 1904-1907, as well as the Memorandum of Understanding of 2000, are sufficient to use as a base for the solving of all outstanding border issues between the two countries.

He said that both governments have only supporting (technical) roles in the resolutions of the border issues between the two countries. He said that Cambodia and Thailand must educate their respective citizens not to twist the history, not to use their internal politics and untra-nationalism to incite border disputes. He said that (the Thai PM) Mr. Abhisit will not use these things to advance Thailand's border agenda with Cambodia.

Mr. Kasit said that Mr. Abhisit has requested the media, who had the role of bonding the ties between the two countries, not to generate any debates that can incite conflict between the two countries. Mr. Kasit said: "I understand that Cambodia has been suffering because of the genocide, so please do not make Cambodia suffer more. We should promote the civilsations of both countries on an equal level."

During the demonstartions at Suwanaphumi and Don Muang airpots, in December 2008, Mr. Kasit has been reportedly as declaring publicly that he will use Mr. Hun Sen's blood to clean his feet.//

Kasit Wants to Use Hun Sen´s Blood to Wash His Feet

January 13, 2009 by sokheounpang

Kasit Piromya, Thai Foreign Minister, is a long- time foreign experienced high raking official of Thailand working in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs since 1968 to 2005 respectively as Thai Ambassador to some countries in European Union, USA, Moscow, Tokyo, Jakarta.

He is also one of the core supporter and leader of the People Alliance for Democracy (PAD) which led demonstration again and again for years to oust the elected- government under Thaksin Sinawatra.

Recently, during the last campaign held by PAD which was called the “Nakasaki or Hiroshima War” in order to topple the pro-Thaksin government which led to siege Thai two main airports- Daunmoung and Suvannaphumi, Kasit played as one of the PAD core leaders. He actively participated in the demonstration and gave the speeches to the demonstrators.

His speeches were not only about attacking Thaksin and Thaksinists, but also about attacking Cambodian intregrity, regarding to our Preah Vihear Temple. Most importantly, his speech attacking against Hun Sen, which has been criticized and concerned by some real Thai intellectuals and politicians as well as some ordinary Thai who love respect, morality and dignity, can jeopardize his role for the foreign mission or relation.

Regarding to his speech attacking Hun Sen, I tried to search for it , but I failed to get it. Fortunately, I found it in Bangkok post forum posted on 10-01-2009 at 06:27 PM24, Discussion 24, which one of the commentators with ID Charlotte translated and wrote :

“ Kasit announced loudly that he will use Hun Sen’s blood to wash his feet” during his speech given at the Suvannaphumi airport.

I think it is reliable. Personally, Kasit is one of the ultra-nationalists (PAD), the extremist group which has instigated the Preah Vihear invasion since July 2008. Such a Nazi word is not new to the Thais because it is clearly written and taught in Thai history, describing how Thais treated Cambodians especially during the 16th century by King Naresaun who claimed to use King Setha´s blood to wash his feet, too, at school in order to motivate the nationalist sentiment among Thais to feel superior to Cambodia and not to be afraid of confronting the Cambodians at any cost. And it is believed that Kasit speech aimed at reminding of this history for the same political purpose. Kasit´s speech is not published publicly in media or translated; instead he is criticized and warned for such an uneducated speech.

To my question, how can a man with high education with much national and international work experience and held a high position in the Cabinet gave such a barbarian speech against a leader of another nation without respect? Is this called the educated Thai? Or Is this the real color of most Thai people towards its neighbors?

I am just wondering what Hun Sen think about Kasit´ evil speech and how his reaction responses towards Kasit if he knows about it when they meet in the future talk during Kasit´s visit to Cambodia in coming late January, 2009.
Politically, “Kasit´s speech doesn´t only show his hatred towards and the look-down on Hun Sen alone, but also the Cambodians in general as a NATION.”

Personally, I never like Hun Sen but as a Cambodian or as a man who lives in this century of the civilized world, Kasit´s behavior is considered as the barbarian, the uncivilized, the ignorant, the stupid, the beast, the Nazi which is unacceptable and unforgivable. And he doesn’t deserve to put his feet on Cambodia no matter what position and mission he is responsible for Thailand in cooperation with Cambodia.