PM takes Hun Sen's outbursts in his stride

Abhisit vs. Hun Sen.

By The Nation

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said Tuesday he was not bothered by Hun Sen's outbursts, saying the Cambodian prime minister simply wanted to give vent to his frustrations.

"I don't want to retaliate but if anything affected the country, the Foreign Ministry would take care of it. The most important thing is that we have to prevent invasion of territory under Thai sovereignty," Abhisit told reporters.

Hun Sen launched a verbal attack against Abhisit on Monday during his border tour in response to the Thai stance over the disputed area adjacent to the Hindu Preah Vihear Temple.

Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban said Hun Sen was angry as he was not allowed by Thai authorities to visit Ta Moan Thom temple on his last leg of the border tour.

However, Cambodia's Foreign Minister Hor Namhong told local media on Monday that Hun Sen had no plan to visit Ta Moan Thom from the beginning.

Hun Sen's border tour over the weekend was blown out of proportion by Thai politicians and the media, he said.

"Why were they really surprised about the visit of Samdech Techo? The reason is that they want to take Cambodian land," Hor Namhong was quoted as saying by Phnom Penh Post.

Supreme Commander General Songkitti Jaggabatara said the border situation and relations with Cambodia were normal. "News [by media] made the normal thing to appear abnormal," he told reporters.

The military did not boost forces to confront the Cambodians but worked on their usual routine, he said.

Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya said his ministry would not issue any more reaction against Hun Sen beyond what his secretary Chavanond Intarakomalyasut had made on Monday which said Thailand regretted and was disappointed with Hun Sen's harsh statement.

"All 65 million Thai people have already seen what is what and I don't need to explain. Thailand continues to have good wishes for the Cambodian people. We want them to be developed, be happy and have good relations with Thailand," he said.

Kasit said what Hun Sen had done over the past days was an act to help former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra to create chaos in Thailand to mount pressure on the court which will rule on the assets case later this month.