Yingluck to speak to U.S. entrepreneurs in Siem Reap

Wednesday, 11 July 2012
Mizzima News

Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has been invited by U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to travel to Cambodia on Friday to address a high-level U.S. business conference.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Surapong Tovichakchaikul said Yingluck had accepted the invitation to give a speech at the US-Asean Business Council conference in Siem Reap.

On her visit to Cambodia to attend the Asean Summit, Clinton is accompanied by U.S. entrepreneurs who will meet to discuss investments in the Asean region.

Yingluck will deliver a speech to the US-Asean Business Forum and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce on Asean connectivity and Thailand's economic plan after the flood, officials said.

She is scheduled to meet and have a bilateral discussion with Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Hun Sen prior to speaking to U.S. business representatives.

Abhisit urges pull back caution [-Another STUPID Abhisit's trick?]

23/12/2011
Wassana Nanuam
Bangkok Post

Opposition leader Abhisit Vejjajiva supports the General Border Committee as an instrument to resolve the border conflict with Cambodia.

However, he calls for caution over the planned withdrawal of troops from the disputed area near Preah Vihear temple.

He said Thursday the surrounding community, market and the Keo Sikha Kiri Svara pagoda in the 4.6 square kilometre disputed area must be cleared.

The locations of the Cambodian community, the market and the pagoda violated the memorandum of understanding covering the boundary that both countries signed in 2000, he said.

If third-party observers enter the disputed area and see the community, they might believe the area belongs to Cambodia. He said the occupation problem must be dealt with before third-party observers are allowed to enter.

[Thai] FM: Dems must explain 'secret talks'

Foreign Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul

2/09/2011
Bangkok Post

Foreign Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul has demanded that former Democrat prime minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and his deputy Suthep Thaugsuban clarify the alleged secret talks about oil and gas interests in the overlapping marine area with Cambodia during their government's tenure.

Mr Surapong said on Friday he will investigate the case openly to ensure all sides are happy and that the investigation will not yield beneifits to the current administration.

"When Mr Suthep was assigned to negotiate with Cambodia, the Democrat-led government had not revoked the Thai-Cambodian memorandum of understanding [on an overlapping maritime border area]," the minister said.

Suthep denies secret deals over maritime zone

September 1, 2011
The Nation

Former Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban admitted yesterday that he met Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister Sok An twice - in Hong Kong and Kunming - but did not make any secret deal over the maritime resources in the overlapping zone in the Gulf of Thailand.

The Thai government under Abhisit Vejjajiva then invited Sok An to talk on the matter in Thailand but the latter had no free time to visit Thailand and so informal meetings were held in Hong Kong, Suthep said.

"I told Sok An that - as both of us were appointed chief negotiators on the overlapping area in the sea - why didn't we open a formal meeting to follow what previous governments had done," Suthep told reporters.

"Returning home, I rushed to issue a letter of invitation to talk in Thailand - but the meeting has never taken place as the bilateral relations turned sour," he said.

Suthep decided to clarify his meetings with Sok An after the Cambodian National Petroleum Authority issued a statement on Tuesday accusing Abhisit's administration of attempting to make a secret deal on the maritime zone.

Oil dispute flares up

Wednesday, 31 August 2011
Tom Brennan and Vong Sohkeng
The Phnom Penh Post

Secret meetings between high-ranking Thai and Cambodian officials to solve the demarcation of disputed offshore petroleum resources took place during the administration of Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, the Cambodian National Petroleum Authority revealed yesterday.

In a statement some commentators described as “coordinated attack” by the current Cambodian and Thai governments against political opponents, it also claimed there have been no such discussions since the election of Puea Thai in July.

The two countries first signed a memorandum of understanding on joint management of the Overlapping Claims Area in 2001, with a joint working group discussing further details from 2001 to 2007. The MoU for managing the OCA, which is thought to hold significant oil and gas reserves, was put on hold by the Thai government in November 2009.

“Even during the past few years when the [joint working group] did not meet formally, the Abhisit government continued to engage the Royal Government of Cambodia in negotiations on the OCA on multiple occasions …” the statement said.

Thaksin and Thailand's foreign policy

19/08/2011
Suranand Vejjajiva
Bangkok Post

The erstwhile Democrat-led government of Abhisit Vejjajiva made "catching the fugitive" the heart of its foreign policy. Mr Abhisit's Foreign Ministry team _ including Kasit Piromya as foreign minister, vice-minister Panich Vikitsreth and the minister's secretary Chavanond Intarakomalyasut _ spent a vast amount of time and resources on this unsuccessful venture.

The costs and negative consequences from such a one-track policy are high and have now become a burden on the present government of Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra.

The intense political conflict since the coup d'etat of Sept 19, 2006 derailed the foreign policy initiatives put in place during the administration of Thaksin Shinawatra. His vision was carried out by Surakiart Sathirathai and, subsequently, by Kanthati Suphamongkhon. As foreign ministers, both were at the forefront in putting Thailand on the international radar screen. Recognition was not limited to the regional Association of Southeast Asian Nations and neighbouring countries, but expanded into many formal and informal multilateral forums such as the Asian Cooperation Dialogue. The expanded network was designed to put Thailand as the centre of the various ongoing discussions and dialogues. In our globalised world it is essential to be in the midst of things and, of course, to be recognised and consulted.

Prime Minister Abhisit's Farewell Speech

August 4, 2011
The Nation

Dear fellow citizens,

As for the neighbours, our relations have been smooth, except for the dispute with Cambodia. On this particular issue, I think we share the same goal - preserving good relations while at the same time we have to stand ready to protect our country's rights and sovereignty. The standing issue is the case that Cambodia has taken to the International Court of Justice. My government has already fought the request Cambodia filed with the court for Thailand to unilaterally withdraw its troops. It is hoped that the next government will continue to fight this case and successfully protect Thailand's national interest.

The House of Representatives has now convened. His Majesty has granted a royal command, graciously appointing the Speaker and the deputies. Soon the House will be meeting to select the new prime minister and a new Cabinet will be formed.

I would like to take this opportunity to reassure the Thai people that during this transitional period, my government is doing everything to ensure a smooth hand-over. There are important tasks that need to be carried out in the coming days, including the royal cremation of HRH Princess Bejaratana. Also, there are several provinces experiencing floods. For this, my government has already initiated the process of closely monitoring the situation and preparing the information needed by the new government. Again, I would like to assure you that all the work will continue smoothly during this period.

Given that a new government has the right to formulate policies it deems suitable for the country, before handing over the administration, I would like to inform you that my government has made it conducive for the incoming administration to continue addressing ongoing problems for the Thai people.

Challenge to correct bungled foreign policy

August 3, 2011
By Supalak Ganjanakhundee
The Nation

In the case of Cambodia, Abhisit and his crew lost their common sense in handling relations and balancing pressure from nationalists as ties with Phnom Penh became linked with the Thaksin move.

A major lesson the new government can learn from outgoing Abhisit Vejjajiva and his crew over their foreign-policy and diplomacy mistakes is how to achieve a balance and separate domestic politics from foreign affairs.

Abhisit's government was wrong since day one in office when it mixed political interest with foreign policy and employed all resources to hunt for his enemy, ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra. The search eventually damaged everything around it, including relations with many countries Thaksin had set foot in.

Abhisit spent nearly all of Thailand's international credit accumulated for years by previous governments to persuade many countries to block and ban Thaksin from entering their territories.

To stop his travelling, the Foreign Ministry revoked all of Thaksin's Thai passports. The measure later backfired when Thai authorities could not trace his travel documents as he adopted many other foreign passports in different names. That was the legal loophole and excuse for officials not to cooperate with the government in hunting him, for the simple reason they could not identify the man called Thaksin and locate his residence any more.

Trouble Brewing in Thailand?

July 27, 2011
By Tim LaRocco
The Diplomat

With news breaking this week that a Cambodian solider was killed on the border with Thailand, the site of a dispute that was recently adjudicated by the International Court of Justice (ICJ), it’s worth looking at how serious this development could turn out to be.

The Phnom Penh Post reported that Cambodian military officials claimed that Thai soldiers initiated the hostilities from their side of the border:

‘Pok Sophal, a Royal Cambodian Armed Forces commander for Oddar Meanchey’s Trapaing Prasat district, about 100 kilometres from the Preah Vihear temple, claimed that Thai soldiers had opened fire on the soldiers.

‘”We had an appointment for the meeting (between Cambodian and Thai soldiers), and when we were walking, they opened fire at our soldiers,” he said. “They were already prepared to intentionally open fire at us in advance.”’

Abhisit blames Noppadol for on-going border conflicts with Cambodia

Noppadon Pattama (The Nation)

July 25, 2011
The Nation

Outgoing Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva Monday blamed former foreign minister Noppadon Pattama for conflicts between Thailand and Cambodia over the 4.6-kilometre plot near the Preah Vihear Temple.

Abhisit was responding to Noppadon's comment that the Abhisit government should have approached the border conflicts based on the measure agreed upon by the Samak Sundaravej Cabinet.

But Abhisit said Noppadon and the Samak Cabinet instead caused the current trouble having issuing a Cabinet resolution to allow Noppadon as the foreign minister to endorse Cambodia's unilateral registration of Preah Vihear as a world heritage site.

Abhisit demands Cambodia pullout [-Abhisit's last bravado?]

Changing of the guard: National police chief Pol Gen Wichean Potephosree visits border patrol officers in Kantharalak district of Si Sa Ket province yesterday. He plans to deploy the units in the disputed area with Cambodia in place of soldiers following the International Court of Justice’s order for a demilitarised zone to be set up on the common border. (TAWATCHAIKEMGUMNERD)

22/07/2011
Bangkok Post

Outgoing Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva is demanding Cambodia withdraw its soldiers from the disputed area near Preah Vihear temple before Indonesian observers enter the zone.

In response to a report that Cambodia wants Indonesian observers to enter the disputed area before its military pulls out, Mr Abhisit said yesterday Thailand was standing firm on its original demand that Cambodia withdraw its troops first.

The International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruled on Monday that Thailand and Cambodia should withdraw their soldiers from the disputed area and let observers from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) deploy pending its consideration of a Cambodian petition concerning ownership of the area.

"If Cambodia wants to cite the court order to bring observers there right away, Cambodia must withdraw its troops first," Mr Abhisit said.

Indonesian observers allowed after withdrawal of Cambodian troops: Thai PM

July 22, 2011
Xinhua

Thailand's caretaker Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said on Thursday that no Indonesian observers would be allowed to enter the disputed border area near the 11th century Preah Vihear temple until Cambodian troops had left.

The outgoing premier added that further discussions between Phnom Penh and Bangkok are necessary as both sides have different positions on the issue.

Following Cambodia's application in late April for reinterpretation of the World Court's 1962 ruling and provisional measure, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on July 18 ordered both countries to remove their troops from the disputed area.

The court went beyond Cambodia's request for immediate and complete withdrawal of the Thai military from the area, ruling that both countries should allow observers from the Association of South East Asian Nations into the area to observe a cease-fire.

Meanwhile, Thai Army Region 2 commander Lt-Gen Thawatchai Samutsakorn made a remark that military withdrawal could not be realized at the moment as the army would have to wait until the new government is formed.

[Thai] PM: Observers after troops leave [-Thailand is doing all it can to contradict Cambodian plan]

21/07/2011
Bangkok Post

Indonesian observers would not be allowed to enter the disputed border area near Preah Vihear temple ruins until Cambodian troops had left, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said on Thursday - the exact opposite of Phnom Penh's stand on the matter.

“Thailand and Cambodia have different positions on this issue and therefore talks between the two sides are needed.

"Meetings must be held to discuss procedures to prevent any misunderstanding from occurring,” Mr Abhisit said.

The prime minister said the International Court of Justice (ICJ) had ordered an immediate troop withdrawal by both sides.

Abhisit passes ICJ torch

Abhisit: Soldiers to stay for time being.

Next govt to decide on bilateral Cambodia talks


20/07/2011
Pradit Ruangdit, Nopparat Kingkaeo and Prasit Tangprasert
Bangkok Post

Outgoing Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said the decision on bilateral negotiations between Thailand and Cambodia to comply with the International Court of Justice's ruling will rest with the next government.

Mr Abhisit discussed the implication of the court's verdict ordering both Thailand and Cambodia to withdraw troops from a provisional demilitarised zone which the court defined around the Preah Vihear temple with security authorities, the Foreign Ministry and the Council of State yesterday.

He ordered foreign affairs and defence officials to set a direction for negotiations to take place.

Mr Abhisit said he hopes the new government will follow the direction to be proposed by the authorities and that the new government will do its best to protect Thai territory.

For the time being, Mr Abhisit insisted that Thai soldiers would stay in their present locations to protect the areas Thailand considers its territory.

Demilitarised zone

Tue, Jul 19, 2011
The Nation/Asia News Network

CAMBODIA - The International Court of Justice yesterday ordered both Thailand and Cambodia to withdraw their troops immediately from Preah Vihear Temple and its disputed area, rejecting Bangkok's request to remove the case from the general list.

The court also said it would continue to work on the interpretation of the scope and meaning of its 1962 judgement awarding the temple to Cambodia, as requested by Phnom Penh to end the long-running conflict over the ancient Hindu temple.

The court declared a "provisional demilitarised zone" around the temple that appeared to be smaller than the 4.6-square-kilometre area claimed by both sides, Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya said.

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said Thailand would not pull its troops out of the zone until it consulted with agencies and Cambodia on how to comply with the order.

Thai PM chair meeting to consider World Court's ruling

BANGKOK, July 19 (MCOT online news) -- Thailand's Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva on Tuesday will chair a meeting of security concerned agencies to discuss the International Court of Justice (ICJ) or World Court ruling on the Thai-Cambodian border dispute.

Mr Abhisit had invited representatives of security-concerned agencies including the armed forces, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, National Security Council, the secretary-general of the Council of State and the secretariat of the Cabinet to the meeting.

It was expected that the meeting would consider the provisional measures issued by the ICJ, the highest UN court, focusing on the possible impact against Thai domestic law.

The UN court on Monday turned down Cambodia's demand for a unilateral Thai pullback, and Thailand's demand for Cambodia's request to be removed from the court's consideration was unanimously rejected.

UN calls for retreat by Thais, Cambodians

July 19, 2011
Associated Press

THE HAGUE - The UN’s highest court yesterday created a demilitarized zone around a 1,000-year-old temple on the disputed border between Cambodia and Thailand, and ordered the armed forces from both countries to withdraw.

Both countries said they were satisfied with the ruling by the International Court of Justice, meant to end clashes that have claimed about 20 lives in the last three years and have displaced tens of thousands of people from the area around the Preah Vihear temple.

But Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva of Thailand said that Thai soldiers will not pull out from the disputed area until the military of both countries agree on the mutual withdrawal.

Sacrava's Political Cartoon: Demilitarized Zone

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

Abhisit punished for his aggression - Op-Ed by Ven. Hok Savann

Post-election Thailand: Reform or Revolution?

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

Thursday, July 07, 2011
Op-Ed by MP

Observers of Cambodia's UN supervised election of 1993 were stating the same truth about the defeated party being more powerful than the victorious one. And we learned what the outcome of that was in 1997, didn't we?

I'm sure the conservative elements in Thailand, backed by their military will wait for the euphoria of this election to die down before muscling their way into power once more, just as they had always done in the past. Once again, the election is a slap in the face for those elements, including the Royal House. To keep their peace with them, the Pheu Thai-Thaksin camp will be expected to cede some ground. Whether that will be enough, remains to be seen.

Thaksin will be anxious to deliver on his/her promises to carry on improving rural services in tangible terms, which inevitably means transferring much economic/financial resources from the middle classes (Yellow) to rural areas. If the reforms are successful, these areas (Red) will then strengthen the Thaksin camp, leading to a sense of fear and unease among traditional power segments that a new economic and electoral base is opening up outside of their sphere of influence and reach; a shift in the balance in power relations that they will likely be ill-prepared to accept.