By Anonymous
Extreme nationalism of Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva's government has become a highly destructive force both in domestic and international politics, teamed up with the People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD), the Democrat Party, claimed to represent the true face of Thai nationalism. In this, they claimed to stand on the side of righteousness by protecting the nation’s territorial integrity.
The conflict over the Preah Vihear Temple, to the Democrat Party and People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD), was indeed a conflict between those who are true Thais. PAD saw its duty as that of protecting Thailand’s national interests, and the best way to do so was to stir up nationalistic feelings. The outcome of these political tactics has been destructive. Thai domestic politics has become increasingly polarized. Thailand’s relations with Cambodia have reached a critical point, verging on a full-blown war. Who has gained what out of this nationalistic crusade?
By using unilateral map to create overlapping territories has stoked the attention of the Thai public. The spirit of nationhood was high. However, the PAD also became a casualty in the game of nationalism. It opened up a Pandora’s box of bewilderment about the Thai national identity. Was the PAD's brand of nationalism a reflection of the Thai way to express love for one's own country? Didn’t its call for war with Cambodia run against its earlier representations of Thainess: of being a peaceful nation, as enunciated in the words of Thailand’s national anthem?
The latest clashes near the Thai-Cambodian border demonstrated that the Democrat Party and PAD is not willing to give up its nationalist tactics, but has even been re-produced and has re-emerged recently as a political weapon, to justify its invasion of Cambodia and to fulfill their predecessors' ambitious and expansionist ideology.
Extreme nationalism of Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva's government has become a highly destructive force both in domestic and international politics, teamed up with the People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD), the Democrat Party, claimed to represent the true face of Thai nationalism. In this, they claimed to stand on the side of righteousness by protecting the nation’s territorial integrity.
The conflict over the Preah Vihear Temple, to the Democrat Party and People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD), was indeed a conflict between those who are true Thais. PAD saw its duty as that of protecting Thailand’s national interests, and the best way to do so was to stir up nationalistic feelings. The outcome of these political tactics has been destructive. Thai domestic politics has become increasingly polarized. Thailand’s relations with Cambodia have reached a critical point, verging on a full-blown war. Who has gained what out of this nationalistic crusade?
By using unilateral map to create overlapping territories has stoked the attention of the Thai public. The spirit of nationhood was high. However, the PAD also became a casualty in the game of nationalism. It opened up a Pandora’s box of bewilderment about the Thai national identity. Was the PAD's brand of nationalism a reflection of the Thai way to express love for one's own country? Didn’t its call for war with Cambodia run against its earlier representations of Thainess: of being a peaceful nation, as enunciated in the words of Thailand’s national anthem?
The latest clashes near the Thai-Cambodian border demonstrated that the Democrat Party and PAD is not willing to give up its nationalist tactics, but has even been re-produced and has re-emerged recently as a political weapon, to justify its invasion of Cambodia and to fulfill their predecessors' ambitious and expansionist ideology.
1 comment:
Fighting will likely erupt again
Since armed hostilities resumed on April 22, at least 16 people have been killed, over 50 injured and at least 50,000 displaced on both sides of the border. Strategic and political analysts foresee sustained sporadic fighting, though the chances of the clashes escalating into full-scale war still seem slim.
"Thailand's and Cambodia's relationship is fragile and fighting will likely erupt again," said Pavin Chachavalpongpun, a Thai political scientist at the Institute of Southeast Asian Studies in Singapore. "The dispute has been too politicized that it will take a long time before ties will be healed," he added.
"I doubt that a ceasefire will hold because the border tensions are now being driven by their own dynamic," said Marc Askew, a senior fellow at the University of Melbourne who specializes in Thai politics and security issues and who is editor of the recently published book Legitimacy Crisis in Thailand.
"[The border conflict] is a function of the Thai states' domestic politics, and especially Thailand's civil and military relations in the midst of a major political transition," wrote Stratfor, a United States-based private intelligence firm, in a recent analysis of the conflict.
The latest bout of fighting is centered around a disputed hill near the ancient temples of Ta Krabey and Ta Moan, representing an expansion of previous hostilities that centered on the contested Preah Vihear temple. Although both countries have long laid claim to these ancient ruins and border territories, most analysts believe the conflict is being driven more by domestic politics in both countries.
Thailand has been rattled by a prolonged and sometimes violent political crisis. The border issue has presented Thai governments with an opportunity to galvanize nationalist sentiment at home and gain popular support by rallying their citizens against an external threat.
This has been especially the case for Thailand, which is beset by entrenched political and social divisions at a time when the Thai military has been strengthening its influence and power in politics. With general elections to be held in early June, analysts believe the Thai military is now flexing its muscles to signal its intention of retaining strong influence over the next elected government.
(thanks L.C)
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