Puangthong: We ‘should have known’
28/06/2011
Bangkok Post
Chulalongkorn University political scientist Puangthong Pawakapan believes the decision to withdraw Thailand from the World Heritage Convention will cast a negative light on the country's image. The academic shares her opinions with AMORNRAT MAHITTHIROOK on the issue.
What's wrong with Thailand's foreign policy on the world stage?
We have to look at the overall problem. Thai and Cambodia have been at loggerheads over Preah Vihear since Cambodia managed to get the ancient temple listed as a World Heritage Site in 2008. Thailand's opposition has hurt its image. The country is viewed as losing a boxing match, but it and its fans refuse to accept the defeat.
Does a conflict over the 4.6-sq km disputed area (near Preah Vihear temple) not carry enough weight for the WHC to listen to Thailand?
The Abhisit government explained that the listing of the temple and its management plan has allegedly encroached on Thai soil. But the government failed to produce clear evidence showing the alleged encroachment.
If we look at a map submitted by Cambodia for the listing of the temple, the listing has not included the 4.6-sq km disputed area. This area had been removed from Cambodia's application since the Samak Sundaravej government was in office.
Only the temple and areas on the eastern and western sides of it were listed as a World Heritage site. Evidence about the alleged encroachment must be produced when Mr Suwit opposed the listing before the WHC. But I think we have no evidence, only words.
Why did Thailand fail to lobby other membership countries to back its stance?
It's hard to lobby them as we have to produce clear evidence about alleged encroachment. The kingdom should have opposed the management plan before the WHC held a meeting.
The WHC had invited Thailand to participate in a panel to consider Cambodia's management plan but we refused so we had no opportunity to oppose the plan at that time. It's too late to cast an opposition when the WHC meeting [had been] called.
Wasn't the government aware of such procedures?
I think the government was fully aware, but opted not to tell the public. I don't know why it had to make public its opposition to Cambodia's management plan during the WHC meeting.
Cambodia had submitted the plan in February last year.
Thailand also has its representative on the WHC and should have know what was going on.
The management plan is not confidential as its details are displayed on several websites.
Which country has [gained] an advantage and which one stands to lose over Thailand's withdrawal from the WHC?
Most of members of the WHC show an inclination to support Cambodia. Thailand's image over the issue has been badly affected.
This prompts other countries to back Cambodia despite the fact that they don't like Cambodian prime minister Hun Sen for being an authoritarian. Even foreign media based in Cambodia also dislike Hun Sen, but they support Cambodia over the issue.
6 comments:
อีควายนี่ ไปมัวนอนหลับที่ไหนมาว่ะ ควายแท้ๆ เลย
Thailand, look like you're so smart that you actually outsmart yourself. When you made fake map and proclaimed it to be real and no one recognize it, except you, there is something fucking serious wrong with that. Isn't it? You can lie to Cambodia and yourself, but you can't lie to the world. As a theif, your natural reaction is to get mad and become violence by attempting to create war with Cambodia hoping to win and take back what is not yours. Don't think your military action will solve this problem, it only create more problems. Don't expect Cambodia to tremble with fears. You lost an argument over Preah Vihear, now you want to lose your soldier lives defending what is not your? Something is fucking wrong with you and your supporting people. Any stupid things you try to pull against Cambodia, will only make an ass of yourself and give Cambodia leverages. The good old Siem ideology of kicking weaker neighbors ass to take land is over. That mindset is centuries old and very outdated and need to be upgrade so to be compatible with the rest of the civilize modern world. This is your weaknesses. Learn it, know it, and remember it.
Sgt Houn
USMC
Abhisit Vejjajiva has said that Thailand did not lost its territory around the Preah Vihear Temple! Thailand has nothing to lose so far!...But they trying to do anything, bullying, anything that can tatke adavantage on cambodia anyway.. Thailand got jealous with cambodia...
Eventhought, Thailand knew that they have nothing to lose, but they try to manipulate the world anyway...
28 June 2011 11:38 PM
Very insulting word by called your fellow citizen buffalo may be yourself is the buffalo.
We Khmer not tolerance any Thai come into Khmeri and stir up troubles Khmeri is one step a head regard the rule and regulations .
Old habit die hard.
Thai use to do that and manage to steal large part of land, culture and even language from Khmer.
PAD and Abhisit have fooled Thai people,but not the UNESCO or the ICJ. They are not ignorant like many Thai politicians who enjoy corrupted or twisted logic.
The cost of war and human suffering by your government will be accounted by the UNSC and will be remembered by many Cambodian people for generations to come.
Remember the world today is in the global village generation not just communication technology but crimes and events will be fed straight in to the world eyes immediately.
Many Thai commanders who allowed their troops to use cluster bomb; poison gas and bombed on world heritage sites could end up as criminals in the ICJ court.
True Khmer
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