What Now with Cambodia?

6 July 2010

Source: TAN Network

Kobchai Boonplod and Varissareeya Boonsomat Cambodian police station before the handover to Thai authority.

Maybe it’s time for Thailand to understand that its relationship with Cambodia will never be on a friendly footing, especially when the Cambodian leader’s recent behaviors openly demonstrated unrelenting hostility towards one of its closest neighbors, Thailand. And he is becoming increasingly menacing each day, having seen that the Thai authorities do not have the nerve to respond in kind. It is unfathomable why the Thai government is hesitant to get tough with Cambodia. Maybe it is purely due to the lack of courage or maybe it is about vested interests.

It is unbelievable how the government and the military still can tolerate Cambodia’s defiance stance while most of Thais have long been at the end of their ropes.

It is understandable that previous governments of Samak Sundaravej and Somchai Wongsawat, both known to act on the cues of ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, would take no actions and even favor Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen by agreeing to deals that Thailand would stand to lose.

But when the Abhisit Vejjajiva government took over in late 2009, it should have put a stop to Hun Sen’s aggression towards Thailand.

Yet, the Cambodian leader still has a free rein to interfere in the affairs of Thailand throughout last year, from appointing Thaksin as his economic adviser to providing shelter for the political fugitive. Not to mention the ongoing land and maritime border disputes.

But when Hun Sen finds himself in a difficult situation, he is ready to play the role of a good neighbor. Recently, the Cambodian authorities arrested two of fugitives wanted for their involvement in the bombing incident at Bhum Jai Thai Party’s head office and deported them to Thailand. A move that could only be described as 'out of the blue'.

However, the two are just small fries while it is apparent that all the big fish still live a luxurious life under the care and protection of Hun Sen, including Arisman Pongruangrong, Adisorn Piangket, Payap Panket, Wisa Kantap and Paijit Aksornarong.

I wonder what is holding back the Abhisit administration from teaching the Cambodian leader some harsh lessons, particularly when fugitive red-shirt leaders and their underground movements are organizing a campaign to foster hatred of Thailand among its own citizens and are preparing another round of riots from the neighboring country.

There is no point to ask whether Hun Sen wants peace or war. We all know the answer. But it is doubtful the Thai government actually does.

Taken from ‘Tang Khao’ column, Kom Chad Luek newspaper, page 2, July 6th, 2010.

Translated and rewritten by Wacharapol Isaranont