Common sense needed on border, plus some justice in the South

The Nation
Published on February 6, 2011
Opinion by Chris Kaye
Chon Buri

While one can have a great deal of sympathy for the two Thais given outrageous and undeserved prison sentences by the Cambodian courts over their alleged spying activities, it is impossible to have any sympathy for the original ill-considered antics of the senseless septet, (no "Magnificent Seven" please), that culminated in this outcome.

Of course the government has a duty to assist the hapless wanderers as best they can. However, one cannot but wonder if the extreme measures put in place by the government and Army - both to assist the seven while at the same time demonstrating excessive sabre-rattling over a few ill-considered Cambodian words in the disputed territory - could not have been far better employed attempting to address the real problems in the South of Thailand. The only way to settle the territorial dispute at the border is by smart diplomacy on both sides, something that has been sorely lacking so far.

The murderous activities continue in the South to such extent that the news details are expected but not given the high priority they deserve. We read about atrocities committed daily but rarely, if ever, do we read that the perpetrators have been brought to justice. It must be difficult for anyone to accept the strategy of the government, Army and police is on the right track despite the reassuring words from the Army chief that they are winning the battle in locating the insurgents. I trust they are not blaming their lack of success on the absence of a surveillance airship. Now if only the PAD, the red shirts, the government and the Army could all exercise a degree of common sense and get on the same page to show their allegiance and respect for Thailand, there could be some light at the end of the tunnel in the South.