THE NATION
Mismanagement of the problem could revive clashes and turn the public against the administratrion, NSC ex-chief warns
A chronic border conflict with Cambodia is a political time bomb that could threaten the government's stability, a former National Security Council chief warned yesterday.
Khajatpai Burutpat, who served as the NSC secretary-general from 1998 to 2002, said that mismanagement of the problem could lead to an eruption of border clashes similar to those that took place during the previous government's tenure.
The government's failure to protect the country's interest regarding the matter, particularly in the wake of a verdict by the International Court of Justice in a case filed by Cambodia, could result in an outburst of dissatisfaction among the Thais, Khajatpai warned.
"If the court rules in favour of Cambodia, Thai people may not accept the ruling. Many Thais are still upset with the World Court's verdict in 1962 [that gave the ancient temple of Preah Vihear to Cambodia]," he said.
Khajatpai was speaking during a seminar on "The Direction for Thailand on Security Issues" held at Miracle Grand Hotel. The event was co-hosted by the NSC and the Security Promotion Association of Thailand.
He said that despite positive responses from Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen towards the new government, which is headed by Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, in the long run the bilateral ties could turn sour again if the world court rules in favour of Cambodia.
"The conflict with Cambodia is a time bomb or a suicide bomb for the government. If the government mismanages this issue, there will be violence again, like it happened in the past," Khajatpai said.
He said that after Thailand and Cambodia signed a memorandum of understanding in 2000 to settle their border conflict, the bilateral ties remained good until 2005 when Cambodia sought a listing of Preah Vihear Temple as a World Heritage site unilaterally. Border clashes took place from time to time after that, he noted.
Khajatpai called on Cambodia to withdraw its latest case filed with the World Court asking the court for interpretation of its verdict in 1962. He said both countries should return to the negotiating table and refer to the MoU of 2000 in a bid to settle their border row bilaterally.
He said that the social conflict over the last five years also was a major security concern for Thailand. He said that protesters could take to the streets again if the government failed to please them or made some moves that anger them, such as amending the Constitution or issuing an amnesty law benefiting certain political figures.
He called for the government's sincerity in promoting reconciliation efforts with groups inside and outside Parliament. "The government must make it clear to the detractors and critics that they are sincere," he said.
3 comments:
It seems like the nation news paper is against Yingluck and P T P ,
To the rich Thai elites greedy basterd, you are lucky that Cambodia doesn't feel the same way like what you are thinking. Just remember Sisket, Chunburi and so on...are belongs to Cambodia. Technically, we can reclaim those provinces back from your basterds but it just going to take more fightings. You better appreciate of what you have right now. Cambodia will modernize herself in the future. Those lands you stole from us will always in our minds.
These fucken Siem bastards such as AH Khajatpai Burutpat never know the meaning of peace and stability to live in peace among world community and all these bastards including him know only to want more, more, and more of Cambodia!
The only real time bomb for these Siem warmongers is for Thailand to plunge into protracted military conflict and the Thailand billion dollars economy will take a hit!
The war between Cambodia and Thailand doesn't need to be restricted to the border area only but the whole Thailand will take military hit so that these Siem warmongers will know that war will only bring more suffering!
Say no to Siem belligerent and thuggish behavior!
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