Alongkorn: Show-stealer takes act abroadDeputy Commerce Minister Alongkorn wins over his hosts in Phnom Penh with his humility - PM's Office Minister Ong-art builds on thawing relations with Cambodia with his own visit - Bhumjaithai de facto boss Newin is still working hard to keep Thaksin and the red shirts at bay
Published: 4/09/2010
Newspaper section: News
Made of the right diplomatic stuff
Alongkorn: Show-stealer takes act abroad Deputy Commerce Minister Alongkorn Ponlaboot has finally emerged from the shadows and is eager to show what he is made of.
Mr Alongkorn recently paid an official visit to Cambodia, the first cabinet minister to have done so since bilateral ties were soured by the diplomatic spat over the Preah Vihear temple.
He apparently was determined to turn the visit into an opportunity to showcase his vision as befits a deputy commerce minister.
Cambodia was added to a list of neighbouring countries he has called upon to boost trans-border trade. His visit to Burma was thought to have helped defuse the simmering row between border authorities that is blamed for the temporary suspension of commerce in the bustling Mae Sot-Myawaddy area.
With Cambodia, Mr Alongkorn envisions a revival of a special economic zone project in Poipet opposite Aranyapathet. In 2004, more than 2,500 rai of land was designated for the zone, but the political will to push the project through has been lacking.
After touring the site, however, Mr Alongkorn felt that an area in Ban Rai village of Aranyaprathet could be more suitable for development into an economic boom town.
From the border checkpoint, the deputy commerce minister travelled on to Phnom Penh for a meeting with media representatives from Thailand and Cambodia.
At the ''Minister Meets the Press'' meeting organised by the Asean reporters' federation, Mr Alongkorn lost no time in putting his exceptional verbal talents to good use.
Before dignitaries, including Cambodia's Deputy Prime Minister Nhek Bunchay, Information Minister Khieu Kanharith and Deputy Commerce Minister Kim Sitan, Mr Alongkorn won over his Cambodian hosts with his humility.
He told them he had stayed up late on his first night in Cambodia because he was practising hard to sign his name in Khmer. ''And now I've got the hang of it,'' he said.
He then proceeded to sign his name on a piece of paper, drawing visible admiration from those assembled.
Mr Alongkorn then went for the kill. Towards the end of his speech, he said: ''We may not be able to correct history, but we can build a better future together.'' The statement was met with a thunderous round of applause.
He insisted that the troubled friendship between the two countries be smoothened out. ''It's like pebbles in our shoes. We need to remove them so we can walk with ease,'' he said.
The persistent conflict was holding back progress for both countries. Tighter economic cooperation was the way forward.
Grabbing a bite of khanom tarn (small cakes made from tarn palm), the deputy minister commented that the Cambodian version of the sweet has a superior taste even to the khanom tarn produced in his native Phetchaburi, dubbed Thailand's capital of traditional sweets.
He compared the wholesome khanom tarn of Cambodia to that country's richness in resources and economic potential.
Mr Alongkorn's visit was given extensive coverage by the local media. The success of the visit has bolstered his reputation as a minister who steals the show.
Published: 4/09/2010
Newspaper section: News
Made of the right diplomatic stuff
Alongkorn: Show-stealer takes act abroad Deputy Commerce Minister Alongkorn Ponlaboot has finally emerged from the shadows and is eager to show what he is made of.
Mr Alongkorn recently paid an official visit to Cambodia, the first cabinet minister to have done so since bilateral ties were soured by the diplomatic spat over the Preah Vihear temple.
He apparently was determined to turn the visit into an opportunity to showcase his vision as befits a deputy commerce minister.
Cambodia was added to a list of neighbouring countries he has called upon to boost trans-border trade. His visit to Burma was thought to have helped defuse the simmering row between border authorities that is blamed for the temporary suspension of commerce in the bustling Mae Sot-Myawaddy area.
With Cambodia, Mr Alongkorn envisions a revival of a special economic zone project in Poipet opposite Aranyapathet. In 2004, more than 2,500 rai of land was designated for the zone, but the political will to push the project through has been lacking.
After touring the site, however, Mr Alongkorn felt that an area in Ban Rai village of Aranyaprathet could be more suitable for development into an economic boom town.
From the border checkpoint, the deputy commerce minister travelled on to Phnom Penh for a meeting with media representatives from Thailand and Cambodia.
At the ''Minister Meets the Press'' meeting organised by the Asean reporters' federation, Mr Alongkorn lost no time in putting his exceptional verbal talents to good use.
Before dignitaries, including Cambodia's Deputy Prime Minister Nhek Bunchay, Information Minister Khieu Kanharith and Deputy Commerce Minister Kim Sitan, Mr Alongkorn won over his Cambodian hosts with his humility.
He told them he had stayed up late on his first night in Cambodia because he was practising hard to sign his name in Khmer. ''And now I've got the hang of it,'' he said.
He then proceeded to sign his name on a piece of paper, drawing visible admiration from those assembled.
Mr Alongkorn then went for the kill. Towards the end of his speech, he said: ''We may not be able to correct history, but we can build a better future together.'' The statement was met with a thunderous round of applause.
He insisted that the troubled friendship between the two countries be smoothened out. ''It's like pebbles in our shoes. We need to remove them so we can walk with ease,'' he said.
The persistent conflict was holding back progress for both countries. Tighter economic cooperation was the way forward.
Grabbing a bite of khanom tarn (small cakes made from tarn palm), the deputy minister commented that the Cambodian version of the sweet has a superior taste even to the khanom tarn produced in his native Phetchaburi, dubbed Thailand's capital of traditional sweets.
He compared the wholesome khanom tarn of Cambodia to that country's richness in resources and economic potential.
Mr Alongkorn's visit was given extensive coverage by the local media. The success of the visit has bolstered his reputation as a minister who steals the show.
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