The Wimp (Abhisit), The Bully (Hun Sen) and The Traitor (Chavalit): Characters for a new Thai-Cambodian soap opera?October 27, 2009
By Sopon Onkgara
The Nation
Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva tried hard not to be perceived as a wimp after his Cambodian counterpart, big bully Hun Sen, stole the thunder before the Asean Summit over the weekend, with an affirmation that he would provide refuge to fugitive former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.
The first slap in the face was felt. Then came another blow to the other cheek. Hun Sen insolently declared that he would not abide by the extradition treaty agreement with Thailand. Interpretation of the pact would be based on his own opinion.
Such a hostile gesture is so unbecoming of a guest invited to participate in a significant meeting, attended by Asian national leaders, including from major powers such as China and Japan. Hun Sen himself might not find it easy to rub shoulders with people from the civilised world after spending half his life in jungles and around the Khmer Rouge killing fields. That's why, when the opportunity came, he tried to make the most of it, making his presence felt, if not shocking fellow Asean members and especially dialogue partners.
Those familiar with Hun Sen's unwashed manners have not been surprised. His act was fully intentional and prepared well in advance, with a team of news reporters tipped in advance about his willingness to exhibit his flair for bullying.
Abhisit just tried to put on a brave face. During their formal handshake, he failed to conceal his current view of Hun Sen. The younger man, groomed with finesse at Eton and Oxford, tried hard to put up with the Cambodian leader, a cut-throat in his own right from his years with the Khmer Rouge.
Hun Sen offers to provide protection to Thaksin, who can live in a luxury mansion in Phnom Penh and do whatever he pleases. The Cambodian leader regards the Thai fugitive as an eternal friend indeed, whose personal significance outweighs Cambodia's overall relations with Thailand.
Thaksin is a billionaire. Such a man will be welcome in a not-so-civilised society that respects money more than honesty and clean hands. As the saying goes, there is no honour among thieves, and this particular case provides proof of that.
Abhisit had to show what he felt about Hun Sen's confident remarks. But instead of a direct strike at the Cambodian leader, Abhisit chose instead to criticise Gen Chavalit Yongchaiyud for his role in subverting national security by acting as a dangerous liaison to enable Thaksin to stay in Cambodia - just a stone's throw from the Thai jail to which the disgraced billionaire has been sentenced by the Supreme Court.
Hun Sen's offer to provide refuge to Thaksin is a display of contempt for the Supreme Court's verdict.
Abhisit was too soft on Hun Sen, despite the insult. It isn't certain whether he wants to be Mr Manners, with complete diplomatic nicety, or just a confirmed wimp, as jeered by his critics.
Maybe Abhisit needs more time to muster enough courage, and also to seek a prudent way in which to deal with this rough man. Hun Sen does not care about diplomatic civility when he wants to get messages across to neighbours. But Abhisit should not take longer than is necessary to reply, now that the country's dignity has been trampled over by the Cambodian hotshot.
Hun Sen might not have been this arrogant if it were not for some sort of assurance given during his huddling with Chavalit, who visited Phnom Penh prior to Hun Sen's arrival in Thailand for the Asean Summit. The former Thai prime minister had been warned by General Prem Tinsulanonda, president of the Privy Council, that he should be careful about his political role, as he could be perceived as a traitor in some quarters.
Not long after the echo of that warning had faded, Chavalit did exactly what he was warned against - not caring about what people say or think about him. A public opinion poll showed a high rate of disapproval. But this is a time when many people could be regarded as traitors, especially with more than 50 retired generals becoming members of the Pheu Thai Party, commanded by Thaksin.
They are retired military men who have turned themselves into soldiers of fortune. They cannot resist the smell of Thaksin's money. Never mind their earlier pledge about loyalty to the nation's revered institutions. The Thaksin crowd openly sides with Hun Sen, forgetting that they are Thais and supposed to be loyal to the country of their birth.
What we can expect from now on is a messy future in the political, economic and social sectors. Chavalit's pack of old soldiers and politicians loyal to Thaksin, and the red shirts, will engage in a dangerous power game with the Abhisit government. The coalition has become a direct target for toppling by whatever means possible, via the power of Thaksin's money.
Hun Sen is laughing in Phnom Penh. The episode confirms his belief that not just Cambodians have been perceived as traitors; some old soldiers and politicians in Thailand are just as bad themselves.
Abhisit is fighting a war on two fronts. The most dangerous enemies are the ones who also live in this land.
The first slap in the face was felt. Then came another blow to the other cheek. Hun Sen insolently declared that he would not abide by the extradition treaty agreement with Thailand. Interpretation of the pact would be based on his own opinion.
Such a hostile gesture is so unbecoming of a guest invited to participate in a significant meeting, attended by Asian national leaders, including from major powers such as China and Japan. Hun Sen himself might not find it easy to rub shoulders with people from the civilised world after spending half his life in jungles and around the Khmer Rouge killing fields. That's why, when the opportunity came, he tried to make the most of it, making his presence felt, if not shocking fellow Asean members and especially dialogue partners.
Those familiar with Hun Sen's unwashed manners have not been surprised. His act was fully intentional and prepared well in advance, with a team of news reporters tipped in advance about his willingness to exhibit his flair for bullying.
Abhisit just tried to put on a brave face. During their formal handshake, he failed to conceal his current view of Hun Sen. The younger man, groomed with finesse at Eton and Oxford, tried hard to put up with the Cambodian leader, a cut-throat in his own right from his years with the Khmer Rouge.
Hun Sen offers to provide protection to Thaksin, who can live in a luxury mansion in Phnom Penh and do whatever he pleases. The Cambodian leader regards the Thai fugitive as an eternal friend indeed, whose personal significance outweighs Cambodia's overall relations with Thailand.
Thaksin is a billionaire. Such a man will be welcome in a not-so-civilised society that respects money more than honesty and clean hands. As the saying goes, there is no honour among thieves, and this particular case provides proof of that.
Abhisit had to show what he felt about Hun Sen's confident remarks. But instead of a direct strike at the Cambodian leader, Abhisit chose instead to criticise Gen Chavalit Yongchaiyud for his role in subverting national security by acting as a dangerous liaison to enable Thaksin to stay in Cambodia - just a stone's throw from the Thai jail to which the disgraced billionaire has been sentenced by the Supreme Court.
Hun Sen's offer to provide refuge to Thaksin is a display of contempt for the Supreme Court's verdict.
Abhisit was too soft on Hun Sen, despite the insult. It isn't certain whether he wants to be Mr Manners, with complete diplomatic nicety, or just a confirmed wimp, as jeered by his critics.
Maybe Abhisit needs more time to muster enough courage, and also to seek a prudent way in which to deal with this rough man. Hun Sen does not care about diplomatic civility when he wants to get messages across to neighbours. But Abhisit should not take longer than is necessary to reply, now that the country's dignity has been trampled over by the Cambodian hotshot.
Hun Sen might not have been this arrogant if it were not for some sort of assurance given during his huddling with Chavalit, who visited Phnom Penh prior to Hun Sen's arrival in Thailand for the Asean Summit. The former Thai prime minister had been warned by General Prem Tinsulanonda, president of the Privy Council, that he should be careful about his political role, as he could be perceived as a traitor in some quarters.
Not long after the echo of that warning had faded, Chavalit did exactly what he was warned against - not caring about what people say or think about him. A public opinion poll showed a high rate of disapproval. But this is a time when many people could be regarded as traitors, especially with more than 50 retired generals becoming members of the Pheu Thai Party, commanded by Thaksin.
They are retired military men who have turned themselves into soldiers of fortune. They cannot resist the smell of Thaksin's money. Never mind their earlier pledge about loyalty to the nation's revered institutions. The Thaksin crowd openly sides with Hun Sen, forgetting that they are Thais and supposed to be loyal to the country of their birth.
What we can expect from now on is a messy future in the political, economic and social sectors. Chavalit's pack of old soldiers and politicians loyal to Thaksin, and the red shirts, will engage in a dangerous power game with the Abhisit government. The coalition has become a direct target for toppling by whatever means possible, via the power of Thaksin's money.
Hun Sen is laughing in Phnom Penh. The episode confirms his belief that not just Cambodians have been perceived as traitors; some old soldiers and politicians in Thailand are just as bad themselves.
Abhisit is fighting a war on two fronts. The most dangerous enemies are the ones who also live in this land.
21 comments:
I don't know much the PM of Thialand, and I usually don't side with them either, but on this matter. Abhisit clearly is more educated than the jungle dog. Jungle beast just showing how much he can bark. Let him try it without Vietnam holding the collar and China putting food in the beast bowl.
He is a coward of his own country. Referring to Jungle beast
abhisit has chinese indian traits while hun rather has chincon traits
I think from Cambodia part, we just want Thai leaders talk the truth about its history, nothing more than that. If Mr. Abhisit and his men dare to talk about it, they would get no vote from their people, that why they have been trying their best to just keep their power as he said recently that he still enjoys running the country.
So, Hun Sen did the right thing to get them out the comfort zone. The true history, the Red-Shirts, the Takshin, the Yellow Shirts, Thai-Muslim's racism issues, the aging revered King, the grown king-Raja-kuman, oh,, my goodness, it it too much for every leader of Thai at this time. But I am confident that Thaksin would do better than everyone else in Thailand, but another problem is between Thaksin and the king. Now, the country without Taksin, it is like the ship in the ocean without a driver, and next Takshin without king, what would it be? Oh, I am so scary even just to imagine of that moment!!
Thanks
The tais were just a horde of savages running around bare-foot in the shadow of the Great Khmer Empire. The Khmers made the mistakes in giving those thugs food and shelter and in the end they bite the hand that feeds them. Dogs stay dogs.
What you see are typical Thai media smear campaign... they all seem to have their own facts and make it looks Thailand is so good and so civilized but in fact they kill innocent people everyday along their borders and in the sea. Well that is typical talkative Thai people. They got their newspapers and T.Vs so they use them to run their mouths.
siams should know they make themselves and their nation look little by doing such absurdity. they even make little khmer rouge like hun sen looks much intelligent and civilized than these little savage siams
I doubt if these siams still have a brain. Of course they want to win over yuons or at least share a part of Cambodia with yuon but pity, not that way. If siams are intelligent, they should help khmer to fight against yuon absorption of Cambodia since long ago, not waiting to share a part of it with yuons. It is a real stupid strategy from siams. It is now too late for siams to do anything to recuperate a part of Cambodia lost to yuons
Where are the Thais civility, the so called Asean protocols and dialogue partners when it came to Preah Vihear and the killings of Cambodian farmers strayed onto their land? Where are your respect for for international court decision and Human Rights?
4:50AM. Hun Sen Tries to play stupid game with Thailand only to make cambodian forget about Vietnameses entering Cambodia with a big number like Millions and millions more on their way in.
siem gov't need to tell their unruly pad thugs to stop using cambodia's preah vihear for their own political stupid intention, ok! i told you what goes around comes around, really, thought i was kidding?
hey, it makes a good soap opera, ok! otherwise, it is boring!
hey, stop dreaming about stealing from cambodia again, youn and siem. nowadays, there are international law and proper marking of borders, etc... so, if you try to steal from khmer people again, you willl lose all of your teeth, this time around,really!
I can not picture Thai is a civilize country while their act and deed are so un-civilize, i.e. want Preah Vihear that built by Khmer, killing thousands of innocent victim, including burning Yon Rithy, a 16 years old boy a live just because he tried to find something in the wood to feed his family. These act in certain country beside Thai considered un-humen.
Thanks! Mr. PM Hun Sen for Slapping Ah Chor Abhisit in the Face with your Foots....thanks!
Good jobs sir! Mr. Hun Sen for stance strong for cambodia, and thank you for slap Abhisit in the face...
Thialand is a civilize country and lead by a civilize leader? Say who?
Check out how these Siem treated the Muslim population in Southern Thailand!
Shame on the Thai King!
Dear Yellow shirt
You are the coward dogs, that have no education, you are losing your own brain that don't understand the real history of your own nation!!
If King of thailand die everything finish!
Abhesib should Stand of the STAGE to tell his own people the truth or the oneday become bloody country one day!!
Dear King of Siamese
The result of your ambitious is coming now !! You stay in the Hospital!! and the you will go to the hell!!!
Stop your ambitious from now on if you want to live longer!!
Tell to your Yellow Shirt Dogs Don't bark at Preah Vihear Khmer temple anymore ! Nothing to go back to yours!! Or you can ask the International Court about that!!
From Khmer
Now the thugs Abbhishit and his criny the PAD are calling HunSen, uncivilized and jungle babarian. These people Abbhishit and the PAD never got elected in Thailand by the Thai people. They stole the power with the help of the military. They are thieves who steal our Preah Vihear land. Now who is more civilized.
To end the conflict between Cambodian & Thai is to stop educate the wrong history, if not Thai young generation will not know between right and wrong, their blood is boiling all the time, they must try to find tacktic to take Cambodian land. This is a good time that Mr. Hun Sen can talk.
you need to pay attention to the norht. the vietcong is taking land our day by day. we need to look at both side too not just the thai but also the viet.
Hun Sen is not a "BIG BULLY". He was misinformed. Is't that what you told the world?
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