Sacrava's Political Cartoon: Lok Chumteav Toch "You Ay"

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

Thitinan vs Cambodian Ambassador [M'am You Ay]

Jul 30, 2012
By Bangkok Pundit
Asian Correspondant

Thitinan had an op-ed on Friday in the Bangkok Post entitled “China, US widen Asean rifts”. The Cambodian Ambassador responds in a letter to the editor in the Bangkok Post. BP has excerpted some of the choice insults:

I wish to clear up some points of misperception written by Thitinan Pongsudhirak in the opinion section of the Bangkok Post on July 27 entitled “Asean rifts widen as China, US rivalry grows”.

First, those who said the Peace Palace was ”funded and adorned by Chinese arts” are simply ignorant people.

…

Second, the assertion that China has become an ”open patron state of Phnom Penh” with more than US$10 billion (310 billion baht) in aid and investment is purely insulting.…

Third, the allegation that Cambodia ”shared the draft version of the joint statement with the Chinese, who then vetoed it” is extremely disparaging and slanderous. Those who make such scathing remarks against Cambodia have no other intention than to defame Cambodia’s credibility.

When and where did Mr Thitinan obtain this information, or did he copy it blindly from one other journalist without credible facts to substantiate their allegations? Or is it a deliberate smear campaign against Cambodia?

…

The answer is clear: these two Asean countries had their own hidden plan to sabotage the AMM and made the JC a hostage of their bilateral disputes.

BP: She obviously went to the Kasit School of Diplomacy. Interestingly, the words “incorrect” and “wrong” do not appear once in the Ambassador’s letter. Perhaps, their usage may have been a better way to convey the point….

M'am You Ay fielding another reply to the Bangkok Post

Ambassador replies

30/07/2012
Bangkok Post

I wish to clear up some points of misperception written by Thitinan Pongsudhirak in the opinion section of the Bangkok Post on July 27 entitled "Asean rifts widen as China, US rivalry grows".

First, those who said the Peace Palace was ''funded and adorned by Chinese arts'' are simply ignorant people.

The building's construction was fully funded with the national budget of Cambodia and its internal adornments reflect quintessential Khmer ancient art forms.

The building was designed and built by young Cambodian architects and engineers. China provided assistance only for the construction of the adjacent building and not the Peace Palace.

Cambodia trying to help - Response by Her Excellency You Ay, Hun Xen's mouthpiece in Thailand

You Ay

26/07/2012
Letter to the Bangkok Post

Re: ''Don't blame Cambodia for Asean bust-up'' (Asia Focus, July 23).

It is very regretful that the 45th Asean Ministerial Meeting failed to issue a joint communique. However, Cambodia could not help it when two countries were determined to block it unless their demands were satisfied.

As the chair of Asean, Cambodia was trying to avoid escalating an already tense situation by opting to put aside the controversial point for future discussion and issue the Joint Communique, while maintaining a conducive atmosphere for the parties concerned to find a peaceful settlement.

It is very sad that Cambodia's accommodating stand on the South China Sea issue is seen as ''fear of offending China'' rather than a desire to avoid a head on collision between disputing parties, which would serve the interests of no one.

After all, the joint communique is not a legal document for settling the South China Sea issue and the parties have much more to do to resolve their disputes amicably.

The assertion that Cambodia ''nearly managed to singlehandedly derail efforts to discuss a code of conduct (COC) in the South China Sea'' during the April summit is madness.

Madam You Ay's response to the Nation while chastising 2 ASEAN countries: Vietnam and the Philippines?

Cambodia not at fault over joint communique

July 25, 2012
Letter to The Nation by Madam You Ay

Re: Cambodia demeans the Asean chair, Letters, July 22.

I wish to respond to the letter by Vint Chavala. I already explained quite clearly why the 45th Asean Ministers Meeting could not conclude with a joint communiqué, in my letter of July 17, responding to a similar misperceived critical view in an article entitled "Cambodia has put Asean's future in jeopardy" published in The Nation on July 15. Mr Chavala should refer to my July 17 response.

If a person were fair, he or she would agree that the letter's headline should have been "Two Asean members demean the Asean chair", for the following reasons:

First, the Asean foreign ministers' July 20 statement of principles on the South China Sea makes no direct reference to any bilateral dispute at all. During several restricted meetings, Cambodia had proposed exactly this position, albeit without the six points delineated by the ministers. Cambodia's proposal was accepted by all ministers except those of the two member states that are having territorial disputes in the South China Sea.

Second, these two countries made inclusion of a direct reference to those disputes a sine qua non for their endorsement of any joint communiqué. Their unyielding position was that they would not allow a joint communiqué if their demands were not satisfied. It is quite clear who is responsible for "destabilising" Asean, to use Mr Chavala's term.

You Ay's angry reaction to the Nation's opinion

You Ay

In response to the opinion published by The Nation newspaper (Cambodia demeans the Asean chair), Her Excellency Comrade You Ay sent the following response to The Nation. The question is: why does she send a response in Khmer to an opinion written in English by a Thai newspaper?

On another note, we believe that H.E. You Ay may want to watch her back closely after her strong criticisms of 2 ASEAN countries involved in the South China Sea dispute which she refused to name - Vietnam and The Philippines. While it is OK for her to criticize The Philippines, her remarks against Vietnam may not go unanswered, i.e. one never stabs one's own boss in the back.

Sacrava's Political Cartoon: You - I

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

You Ay to the rescue of her Techo

Stop printing rubbish

Regarding ''Poor Cambodia not looking so 'poor' anymore'' (BP, Commentary, April 6).

Letter to the Bangkok Post
12 April 2012

I wish to clarify and respond to a number of issues raised in the commentary to ensure that the readers have factual and balanced views, as follows:

Rows of Lexus parked in front of the Council of Ministers, venue for the ASEAN summit

First, by stating that Cambodia has the ''highest number of Lexus vehicles per capita,'' you have either made an assumption or generalisation or you have lied about it or tried to invent a reality. Where did you get this number? It is a crazy number! It is simply just a sign of economic growth and development.

Prey Speu center where beggars and drug addicts are rounded up and sent in to be detained (Photo: The Phnom Penh Post)

Second, it is an insult to both Cambodia and its neighbours to imply that all of Cambodia's neighbouring countries would ''import'' Cambodian beggars, just because you did not happen to see many beggars on the streets in Cambodia. It is more insulting for Cambodia to claim that the government had imprisoned all beggars. I don't know how this journalist would be able to come up with this bizarre idea! It's simply a positive sign of improvement of the livelihoods of the people.

These are not beggars in Phnom Penh. With so much improvements in the livelihood, these are rich people sleeping outdoor for fresh air.

Third, there is no need for Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen to ''steal the limelight'' from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. The prime minister is the longest-serving leader of Asean, only after the Sultan of Brunei. He is not new to Asean or to this region.

World oldest dictator: he is not new or shiny anymore. He's grimy and slimy!

Fourth, the issue of ''South China Sea'' was part of the agenda of the 20th Asean Summit from the very beginning, but it was under the title of ''Implementation of the DOC'' - which is the normal way we have done things in Asean. To say that Cambodia managed to ''omit the crucial issue ... from discussions'' is absolutely wrong.

Chinese aid came just in time before the ASEAN summit

Fifth, to argue that the prime minister ''managed to intimidate a journalist from your own country'' is not right because there was no intimidation at all. What the prime minister stated was that a professional journalist should be able to ask relevant questions.

Samdach Techo never threatened or intimidate journalists. He just makes sure they disappear from the face of the earth.

Sixth, Cambodia has no ''begging bowl'' but Cambodia welcomes any countries wishing to support its development. What you said is nonsense, and please stop trying to label Cambodia wrongly.

YOU AY

Cambodia ambassador to Thailand

Khmer envoy is the first to congratulate Yingluck [-Hun Xen tries to "woo Yingluck" ... will it work?]

You Ay, the Cambodian ambassador to Thailand, on Tuesday became the first foreign envoy to meet and congratulate the newly-endorsed Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra.

August 9, 2011
The Nation

The envoy was among eight ambassadors lining up to meet the first female prime minister of Thailand at the Pheu Thai Party headquarters.

You Ay also presented to Yingluck official congratulatory notes from Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Sen and Foreign Minister Hor Nam Hong.

The ambassador was quoted as telling the PM that both countries should separate political conflicts from economic cooperation and that they should strengthen all aspects of cooperation.

Yingluck told You Ay that her policy would create peace and reconciliation between the two countries and that the countries would cooperate more under the framework of Asean and Asean Economic Cooperation.

Under the government of Yingluck's predecessor Abhisit Vejjajiva, Thailand and Cambodia have had rocky relations on all issues, with border conflicts escalating several times into clashes resulting in deaths of both soldiers and civilians.

You Ay still wants bilateral settlement with Thailand? Isn't she contradicting Hun Xen, her boss?

Ambassador: Border row bilateral issue should be settled peacefully through two-party talks

8/02/2011

Achara Ashayagachat

Bangkok Post

You Ay

The continuing Thai-Cambodian border dispute should be settled peacefully at the bilateral level, Cambodia's ambassador to Thailand You Ay said on Tuesday.

Speaking at the Couple of Love and Rival seminar on Tuesday morning, she said people should not politicise the border issue. It should be addressed at the bilateral level within the framework of the Thailand-Cambodia Joint Boundary Commission (JBC).

The border row would jeopardise regional cooperation in Southeast Asia, such as the single-visa agreement under the Acmecs (Ayeyawady - Chao Phraya - Mekong Economic Cooperation Strategy) scheme, she said.

"Educators need to teach the true history of both countries to the young generation," she said.

The Cambodian envoy also urged the Thai public to be well aware of the neutral voices, which do not take sides and have good faith.

You Ay back in Bangkok

Cambodian Ambassador to Thailand You Ay arrives in Bangkok yesterday to resume her post after her Thai counterpart, Prasas Prasasvinitchai, returned to his post in Phnom Penh on Tuesday. Thailand and Cambodia normalised ties after former premier Thaksin Shinawatra resigned as an adviserto Hun Sen on Monday. (Photo: The Nation)

Sacrava's Political Cartoon: Vietnamese Lineage

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

Me and my papa are not of Viet lineage: Baby Hor 5 Bora

Letter to the Editor of Bangkok Post
January 19, 2010

Mr. Pattnapong Chantranontwong
Editor
Bangkok Post
Bangkok Post Building
136 Na Ranong Road
Klong Toey
Bangkok 10110
Thailand

Dear Chantranontwong,
FOR PUBLICATION

The Royal Cambodian Government takes great exception to the article which appeared in the Bangkok Post on January 18, 2010 under the headline: In spat with 'Siem'. Hun Sen needs Hanoi in his corner." it is a very serious damaging article which I totally refute.

The allegation that Cambodia's Foreign Minister Hor Nam Hong, Cambodia's Ambassador to Thailand, Mrs You Ah and myself is of "Vietnamese lineage" is totally and utterly false and potentially defamatory.

The approach to foreign policy by Cambodia, initiated by Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen, already being implemented by Foreign Minister Hor Namhong; to forge constructive relationships with all nations, big or small, based on mutual trust and respect of the Cambodian’s territorial integrity and sovereignty and, the respect, without condition, of the verdict of the International Court of Justice concerning the issue of the Preah Vihear Temple in – 15 June 1962.

Publishing such false information as if it is fact does no credit to the Bangkok Post and not only damages the credibility of your newspaper, but also the reputation of Thailand on the international stage.

On behalf of the three persons named, I demand that your newspaper either substantiates the claims made in the offending article or publishes an immediate retraction and apology.

I appreciate if the content of this letter could be broadly circulated.

With kind regards

(Signed) Hor Nambora
Ambassador of Cambodia to the Court of St James’s
London, United Kingdom

Cambodian stubbornness raises tensions [-Is Cambodia the only one who is stubborn?]

11/11/2009
Bangkok Post

The Cambodian government's refusal to acknowledge a Thai protest played a part in Bangkok's decision to recall its ambassador and downgrade relations with Phnom Penh.

The Foreign Ministry summoned Cambodian ambassador You Aye to the ministry to accept a formal letter of protest the day after Thaksin Shinawatra's appointment as an adviser to Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen was announced last Wednesday.

But the envoy neither appeared in person nor sent a representative to receive the protest.

The ambassador's action was seen as unacceptable as it demonstrated Phnom Penh's lack of concern over the matter.

Thai ambassador to Cambodia, Prasas Prasasvinitchai, was ordered to return to Thailand that day.

Phnom Penh then recalled You Aye, who travelled back to her country by car on Friday.

The government has now gone a step further by terminating the memorandum of understanding (MoU) on the disputed maritime boundary dividing the two countries.

The ministry cited "a fundamental change in circumstances" under the 1969 Vienna Convention on the Law of the Treaties as the basis for the revocation. The convention states: "A party may claim that a treaty should be terminated, even without an express provision, if there has been a fundamental change in circumstances. Such a change is sufficient if unforeseen, if it undermined the 'essential basis' of consent by a party, if it radically transforms the extent of obligations between the parties, and if the obligations are still to be performed."

It is applicable in this case as Thaksin's appointment as an economic adviser will give Cambodia an undue advantage in future negotiations. Thaksin's administration was involved in drawing up the MoU. The document was signed in 2001 when he was prime minister.

Thailand believes Cambodia has violated an objective of the MoU whereby the two sides agreed to jointly develop the area and delimit the overlapping maritime zone together under a clause saying the two things are "an indivisible package".

The Foreign Ministry's legal experts met on Sunday to discuss Thailand's decision to terminate the MoU. The meeting decided the move was possible.

They briefed Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya on his return from the Japan-Mekong summit in Japan.

Yesterday's cabinet decision to terminate the MoU will require parliamentary endorsement. If approved, it will be the first time Thailand has unilaterally revoked a treaty with another country.

"...how ignorant you are ...even an idiot knows this fact ...cheap newspaper editorial ...your vulgar newspaper": H.E. You Aye's own diplomatic words

Editorial coverage of Hun Sen is not fair

Published on November 3, 2009
The Nation

I am writing to you as a response to the editorial of your newspaper on October 25, concerning Samdech Techo Hun Sen, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia. After reading your editorial, I must say that your newspaper has become a junky and vulgar newspaper. It has completely lost its value as a newspaper of a civilised country.

I wish to draw your attention to the following points, where your editorial committed the most serious mistakes which could not be forgiven:

First, what kind of a statement is it, when you said "You can take the man out of the jungle but you cannot take the jungle out of the man..." This is a great insult to our great leader, Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen. It is a gangster-like statement. By insulting a leader of a neighbouring country, you have become a tool for escalating tensions between the two countries.

Second, when you stated that the "...Cambodia premier thought he was still leading some Khmer Rouge faction ..." You are absolutely dead wrong. It was Samdech Techo Hun Sen, who struggled and brought the demise of the Khmer Rouge. Prime Minister Hun Sen could have done it much earlier, if a neighouring country had not given shelter to the Khmer Rouge. It was also Samdech Techo Hun Sen who brought the Khmer Rouge leaders to the Extraordinary Chamber of Courts of Cambodia (ECCC).

Third, Prime Minister Hun Sen is very much a humble and gentleman leader, who is a virtuous and moral man, especially vis-a-vis his friend. By doing so, he does not interfere in the internal affairs of any country, and does not in any, engage in " ... rubbing more salt on open wounds". The politics should be solved by the Thais themselves.

Fourth, Prime Minister Hun Sen did not permit "... himself to be part of a cheap ploy by ... Thaksin to steal the spotlight from a major international event", as you have wrongly alleged. You need to better learn about Samdech Techo Hun Sen. He does not need to appear in the Thai media. He only wants to be clear to everyone on what he will do.

Fifth, Prime Minister Hun Sen does not need any attention or recognition at all during the 15th Asean Summit. He came to Hua Hin with good will and sincerity to contribute to making the Asean Summit and related meetings a great success. Prime Minister Hun Sen has been in power for a long time now. Prime Minister Hun Sen was elected to power once again, with more than two-thirds of the votes, and with full backing of his own political party, the Cambodian People's Party (CPP).

Sixth, Prime Minister of Singapore Lee Hsien Loong rightly stated at the East Asian Summit in Hua Hin, on October 25, that the new members of Asean have been making great progress. And you said that the development of Cambodia "... would not count for much in terms of achievement in this day and age". Reading your editorial, most readers would think how ignorant you are. I think that you would not want to contradict the prime minister of Singapore.

Seventh, to state that "... Cambodia continues to be one of the most corrupt countries in the world" is to essentially engage in this politics of finger-pointing. One for Cambodia, three for ... For sure, Cambodia has less corruption than in its neighbouring country. Even an idiot knows this fact.

Eight, again, here is another dead wrong or manipulated fact of this cheap newspaper editorial. To be politically correct, it was Prime Minister Hun Sen who wanted the Khmer Rouge tribunal to be set up by signing the agreement with the United Nations, which brought the former Khmer Rogue leaders to trial under the current ECCC. And it was him who ordered the arrest of the Khmer Rouge leaders who are now put on trial.

Ninth, Prime Minister Hun Sen does not resent Asean at all, as he is being accused of by your vulgar newspaper. On the contrary, since joining Asean in April 1999, Cambodia, under the wise leadership of Samdech Techo Hun Sen, has made tremendous contributions to Asean. Everyone in Asean knows quite well the role and contributions of Cambodia to Asean.

Finally, by allowing His Excellency Thaksin to come into Cambodia, Samdech Techo Hun Sen only keeps his spirit of virtue and loyalty to his friend under any circumstances that his friend is in. But this is not only for His Excellency Thaksin, and is also not by "mutual admiration" and "twisted minds thinking alike", as you have falsely alleged.

YOU AYE
AMBASSADOR OF THE KINGDOM OF CAMBODIA TO THAILAND

Ambassador You Ay leaving Thailand

Cambodian Ambassador You Ay (in back seat) rides through Sa Kaew province Friday on her way back to her country after being recalled. She cancelled her plan to return home by plane reportedly to avoid the media. (Photo: Chatchawan Sopapun, The Nation)

Please stop embarrassing Cambodia!

Friday, November 06, 2009
KI-Media

In a tit-for-tat diplomatic row between Thailand and Cambodia, several embarrassing moments are taking place among those who are involved in diplomacy:

We will close that closed border

Following Thailand’s threat to seal border between Thailand and Cambodia in retaliation to Hun Xen’s nomination of Thaksin as his personal advisor and government economic advisor, Koy Kuong, spokesman for Cambodia’s ministry of Foreign Affairs, thought that it would be wise to give a tit-for-tat reply back to Thailand. DAP news quoted Koy Kuong as saying: “If Thailand closes its border with Cambodia, Cambodia will also close its border [with Thailand]”. If Thailand closes its border with Cambodia, do we really need to close that closed border also?

Is she there yet?
(or Follow You Ay’s minute-by-minute trek from Bangkok to Phnom Penh)

Somebody at DAP news may think that it is patriotic to announce Mrs. You Ay’s, Cambodia’s ambassador to Thailand, trek from Bangkok to Phnom Penh, following her recall by Sok An. On Thursday 05 November, DAP announced that Mrs. You Ay arrived at the Phnom Penh airport (http://dap-news.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=3988:elakrsi-ekgkaractutexmrrbcamtirkugagkk-anmkdlrblanyntehahehiy&catid=1:dap-news&Itemid=75). However, at 2:57PM on Friday 06 November, DAP announced that You Ay arrived at Banteay Meanchey province after crossing the Poipet international border gate (http://dap-news.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=4011:elakrsi-yu-gy-efvidmenirmkcitdlexttatdmbgehiy&catid=1:dap-news&Itemid=75). One hour later, DAP issued another post indicating that You Ay arrived in Pursat province (http://dap-news.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=4017:elakrsi-yu-gy-mkdlexttebaft-satehiy&catid=1:dap-news&Itemid=75). It appears that, obviously, Mrs. You Ay had to take a road trip to travel from Bangkok to Phnom Penh. Now, couldn’t the Cambodian government afford to pay her one-way plane ticket back? Short of that, couldn’t Mrs. You Ay, the owner of vast amount of lands – some of them grabbed from poor people – in Kampong Speu, afford to buy a plane ticket for herself? Short of that still, could DAP news stop publishing her embarrassing road trip itinerary? ... Maybe, we should shut our mouth also?!?!

Thailand's response to You Ay: A figurefinger pointing game [-Siem min choal kbuon!!!]

Pertinent points for Cambodia

16/10/2009
Post Bag
Bangkok Post

With reference to Cambodian Ambassador You Ay's letter ("From Cambodia with clarity," Post bag, Oct 13), the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs wishes to state for the record a couple of pertinent points as follows:

1. The issue of the temple of Phra Viharn is a complicated one with a history going back a long time. The situation, however, worsened following its inscription on the World Heritage List in 2008, despite unresolved negotiations on the encroachment of the land boundary in the area adjacent to the temple.

Thailand did not initiate the problem, nor did it try to exploit extreme nationalist sentiment in order to make political gains. (sic!)

2. As for the allegation that Thai troops caused the destruction of the Cambodian market and the Cambodian side demanded compensation for the affected people, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has already officially informed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Cambodia by a diplomatic note dated Aug 10, 2009, clarifying that the said incidents were triggered by Cambodian soldiers' assault on Thai troops, forcing the latter to take defensive action and leading to the exchange of fire between the soldiers of both sides. The Ministry wishes to reiterate that the whole incident took place at the market and Cambodian community in the area adjacent to the temple of Phra Viharn, which are situated within the territory of Thailand.

I hope this letter will help promote a better understanding of this delicate issue.

THANI THONGPHAKDI
Deputy Director-General, Department of Information,
Ministry of Foreign Affairs

"[Hun Sen] is a statesman and a respected leader of Asean" (sic!): When a stupid article receives a stupid answer from You Ay

You Ay

POST BAG From Cambodia with clarity

13/10/2009
Letter to The Bangkok Post

"Seventh, we all know very well that the opposition party in any country in the world usually does not have any good things to say about the government in power. So, do you really want to join the opposition party in Cambodia against the Royal Government of Cambodia?"

Re: "Hun Sen, Cambodia's agent provocateur?" (Bangkok Post, Oct 7) written by "pseudo scholar" Pavin Chachavalpong-pun. His article, which was written with ill will and malicious intent, contains many manipulative and baseless arguments against Samdech Techo Hun Sen, prime minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia, as follows:

First, when the Thai soldiers entered Keo Sikha Kiri Svara Pagoda near Preah Vihear temple, Cambodia exercised maximum restraint and great tolerance because the country was about to hold elections. At the same time, Prime Minister Hun Sen wanted to avoid armed clashes between the two countries.

Second, undoubtedly Prime Minister Hun Sen is far from being an ''agent provocateur''. He is a statesman and a respected leader of Asean. He did not stir up nationalism, as the writer has wrongly accused. In fact, it was Thailand that initiated the problem and tried to exploit extreme nationalist sentiment in order to make political gains.

Third, if you know Prime Minister Hun Sen, he has never wanted to provoke an armed conflict with Thailand. There is, and has been, no reason whatsoever for him to engage in this act of provocation. The true reality is that Thailand was the one that started it all. No peace-loving nation on earth like Cambodia wants to make political gains by provoking armed conflict with its neighbours. Therefore, the recent tensions between the two countries began with the yellow-shirt protesters from Thailand who wanted to enter our Preah Vihear temple.

The Cambodian government simply wanted to protect its sovereignty and territorial integrity. With regard to the point of warning the Thais to stop ''trespassing on Cambodian land'', what Prime Minister Hun Sen really wanted was to protect Cambodia's sovereignty and territorial integrity and to avoid any armed clash between the two sides.

Fourth, Prime Minister Hun Sen never said that he wanted Thailand to give up its Asean chairmanship. Again, this is another factual error. What he really said at the time was whether Thailand would be able to host the Asean Summit and other related meetings, given its domestic situation then. Of course, later the Asean Summit and other meetings in Pattaya were cancelled, in April of this year. What Prime Minister Hun Sen said was proved absolutely right and no one can deny this fact.

Fifth, there was no need for Prime Minister Hun Sen to use the Preah Vihear temple issue to increase his popularity because he is already popular, and his Cambodian People's Party won the election with more than a two-thirds majority.

Sixth, after Thailand had destroyed the Cambodian market inside our territory, the Royal Government of Cambodia had to demand that the former pay compensation to the Cambodian people who were affected by the destruction of the market on Cambodian soil. This is a normal process, and Thailand should comply.

Seventh, we all know very well that the opposition party in any country in the world usually does not have any good things to say about the government in power. So, do you really want to join the opposition party in Cambodia against the Royal Government of Cambodia?

Finally, the issue of ''love-hate relations'' could only take place in Thailand, certainly not in Cambodia. Everyone in the world knows that the Preah Vihear temple belongs to Cambodia. Cambodia has no ''love-hate relations'' whatsoever.

H E MRS YOU AY
Ambassador, Kingdom of Cambodia

Thaksin banned from entering Japan : PM [-You Ay denies Thaksin's travel to Cambodia]

Fri, February 6, 2009
The Nation

Cambodian ambassador denies Pheu Thai MPs to visit ex-PM in Koh Kong

Japan has banned ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra from entering the country because he is a fugitive from justice, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said yesterday.

Abhisit confirmed this was the case when asked to comment by reporters before embarking on a three-day official visit to Japan.

Under Japanese immigration law, any person with a criminal conviction will not be allowed to enter the country.

Thaksin's status in Japan had not been questioned in recent months because he had not sought to visit the country since a Thai court's decision last October to sentence him to two years in jail in relation to the Ratchadaphisek land case.

The previous year, he had maintained a high profile in Tokyo as a guest lecturer at Takushoku University.

The British government was the first to revoke his visa followed the court's ruling.

Other countries have different visa regulations regarding persons with criminal records. Neither the United States nor China has revoked Thaksin's visa.

According to an informed source, in the case of the US, Thaksin can still enter the country because the US does not have the same restrictions as the UK immigration authorities. However, after the expiration of his US visa, Thaksin will encounter difficulties in getting it renewed, the source said.

When his diplomatic passport was revoked at the end of last year, Thaksin was unable to enter China without a visa. However, with his ordinary passport - the future of which the Foreign Ministry has yet to decide upon - he can apply to visit China, where he has vast business interests and links with influential people.

Thaksin has been on the run since October, having popped up in various countries ranging from Dubai to Hong Kong. He has kept his hiding places secret whenever he phoned in to gatherings of his supporters in Bangkok.

So long as Thaksin is on the run and subject to a Thai court's ruling, he will face difficulties in renewing the visas that he currently has, according to a senior Foreign Ministry official.

Meanwhile, You Ay, the Cambodian ambassador to Thailand, yesterday issued a statement dismissing a news report that a group of Pheu Thai MPs was planning to meet Thaksin in Cambodia's Koh Kong province.

"With reference to the article titled 'Pheu Thai MPs may meet Thaksin in Koh Kong', which was published [in The Nation], I have the honour to inform you that the Royal Embassy of Cambodia has no information at all about the visit of Thaksin in Cambodia," said the ambassador.

Paijit Srivorakhan, the Pheu Thai MP for the northeastern province of Nakhon Phanom, said party MPs would likely meet Thaksin in Hong Kong by the end of the month to inform the former prime minister of the political situation in northestern Thailand following the defection of a major faction led by Newin Chidchob.