By Bill Barnett
Posted: Mon 25 Apr, 2011
Last year we had the 'red shirt' debacle and now the international media is playing up a David versus Goliath passion play over the current border tensions.
As Cambodia is asking for United Nations and international intervention, the Thai messaging is coming out extremely negative and non conciliatory.
Another nearby neighbor Laos is coming under similar scrutiny over its damming of the Mekong River.
For Thailand brand equity for its tourism industry and far larger national identity are part and parcel of the same, and unfortunately in many cases sentiment rather than fact rules the roost.
Perhaps it's time to go through a rethink about the Amazing Thailand tagline.
8 comments:
4/02/11
Thailand keeps repeating that cambodia is the agressor, one thing is clear, Cambodia wants nutural observers in the dispute territory. Why, because such observers could help prevent clashes.
In fact, in the artillery exchange that took place between Thailand and Cambodia, an Al Jazeera journalist was at the Thai military artillery unit, and the journalist said the Thai started the artillery exchange.
Cluster Munition Coalition (CMC) director Laura Cheeseman said the Thai army admitted to using Dual-Purpose Improved Conventional Munition (DPICM) in fighting with Cambodia. The DPICM, she said, is a “classic example of a cluster munition”.
22/04/11
Thailand use chemical weapon what ever you called it Thailand violate the UN convention and Thailand is subject to answer to war crimes tribunal .
http://www.radioaustralianews.net.au/stories/201104/3199847.htm?desktop
12 dead in Thai, Cambodia border clashes
The fighting broke out southwest of the 900-year-old Preah Vihear temple, which is claimed by both southeast Asian nations. [Reuters]
PHOTO
The fighting broke out southwest of the 900-year-old Preah Vihear temple, which is claimed by both southeast Asian nations. [Reuters]
VIDEO
Thai-Cambodia violence
Created: Mon, 25 Apr 2011 23:25:49 GMT+1200
Last Updated: 2 hours 53 seconds ago
Twelve soldiers have died in the bloodiest fighting in the past three years along the Thai - Cambodian border.
Tens of thousands of villagers from both sides have fled the cross-border shelling, which shattered an informal ceasefire that had been holding since February.
Seven Cambodian and five Thai troops have died. Another Cambodian soldier is missing since Friday.
Tensions remain high but fighting appears to have abated after three days of fierce clashes, which began on Friday.
The latest fighting has been taking place near a different group of temples about 150 kilometres away from the disputed Preah Vihear temple.
In 1962, the World Court ruled that the temple belonged to Cambodia, but both countries claim ownership of a 4.6 square kilometre surrounding area.
The frontier has never been fully demarcated, partly because it is littered with landmines left over from decades of war in Cambodia.
Thailand's Prime Minister, Abhisit Vejjajiva, says he will try to resolve the border dispute with his Cambodian counterpart, Hun Sen, at the Asean Summit in Jakarta early next month.
UN appeal
The UN Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon, has urged Cambodia and Thailand to reach a ceasefire.
A UN spokesman says Mr Ban believes the dispute cannot be resolved by military means and urges Cambodia and Thailand to engage in serious dialogue to find a lasting solution.
http://www.radioaustralianews.net.au/stories/201104/3199847.htm?desktop
12 dead in Thai, Cambodia border clashes
The fighting broke out southwest of the 900-year-old Preah Vihear temple, which is claimed by both southeast Asian nations. [Reuters]
PHOTO
The fighting broke out southwest of the 900-year-old Preah Vihear temple, which is claimed by both southeast Asian nations. [Reuters]
VIDEO
Thai-Cambodia violence
Created: Mon, 25 Apr 2011 23:25:49 GMT+1200
Last Updated: 2 hours 53 seconds ago
Twelve soldiers have died in the bloodiest fighting in the past three years along the Thai - Cambodian border.
Tens of thousands of villagers from both sides have fled the cross-border shelling, which shattered an informal ceasefire that had been holding since February.
Seven Cambodian and five Thai troops have died. Another Cambodian soldier is missing since Friday.
Tensions remain high but fighting appears to have abated after three days of fierce clashes, which began on Friday.
The latest fighting has been taking place near a different group of temples about 150 kilometres away from the disputed Preah Vihear temple.
(1)
(2)
In 1962, the World Court ruled that the temple belonged to Cambodia, but both countries claim ownership of a 4.6 square kilometre surrounding area.
The frontier has never been fully demarcated, partly because it is littered with landmines left over from decades of war in Cambodia.
Thailand's Prime Minister, Abhisit Vejjajiva, says he will try to resolve the border dispute with his Cambodian counterpart, Hun Sen, at the Asean Summit in Jakarta early next month.
UN appeal
The UN Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon, has urged Cambodia and Thailand to reach a ceasefire.
A UN spokesman says Mr Ban believes the dispute cannot be resolved by military means and urges Cambodia and Thailand to engage in serious dialogue to find a lasting solution.
I guess not all foreigners are blind of whats happening. but its little they can about. the likely thing that will happen is, they're gonna get told by thier governments to be quiet about, especially thoses countries journalist who are close to thailand.
perthkhmerguy
perthkhmerguy
I got news that suit you
http://www.asianewsnet.net/home/news.php?sec=3&id=18609
Political will missing to end border row
Editorial Desk
The Nation (Thailand)
Publication Date : 25-04-2011
Bloody recent clashes make a strong case for both Thailand and Cambodia replacing armed troops on border with unarmed officials
thanks brother *CHEERS*
perthkhmerguy
25 April 2011 10:18 PM
very interesting and something that many been wondering all along thanks for that. the foriegn affairs and the military r playing different tunes thus undermining ahbisits leadership.
suggest u should post this article:
Political will missing to end border row.
thanks again
perthkhmerguy
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