Published on August 18, 2011
Mismanagement of the problem could revive clashes and turn the public against the administratrion, NSC ex-chief warns
A chronic border conflict with Cambodia is a political time bomb that could threaten the government's stability, a former National Security Council chief warned yesterday.
Khajatpai Burutpat, who served as the NSC secretary-general from 1998 to 2002, said that mismanagement of the problem could lead to an eruption of border clashes similar to those that took place during the previous government's tenure.
The government's failure to protect the country's interest regarding the matter, particularly in the wake of a verdict by the International Court of Justice in a case filed by Cambodia, could result in an outburst of dissatisfaction among the Thais, Khajatpai warned.
"If the court rules in favour of Cambodia, Thai people may not accept the ruling. Many Thais are still upset with the World Court's verdict in 1962 [that gave the ancient temple of Preah Vihear to Cambodia]," he said.
Khajatpai was speaking during a seminar on "The Direction for Thailand on Security Issues" held at Miracle Grand Hotel. The event was co-hosted by the NSC and the Security Promotion Association of Thailand.
He said that despite positive responses from Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen towards the new government, which is headed by Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, in the long run the bilateral ties could turn sour again if the world court rules in favour of Cambodia.
"The conflict with Cambodia is a time bomb or a suicide bomb for the government. If the government mismanages this issue, there will be violence again, like it happened in the past," Khajatpai said.
He said that after Thailand and Cambodia signed a memorandum of understanding in 2000 to settle their border conflict, the bilateral ties remained good until 2005 when Cambodia sought a listing of Preah Vihear Temple as a World Heritage site unilaterally. Border clashes took place from time to time after that, he noted.
Khajatpai called on Cambodia to withdraw its latest case filed with the World Court asking the court for interpretation of its verdict in 1962. He said both countries should return to the negotiating table and refer to the MoU of 2000 in a bid to settle their border row bilaterally.
He said that the social conflict over the last five years also was a major security concern for Thailand. He said that protesters could take to the streets again if the government failed to please them or made some moves that anger them, such as amending the Constitution or issuing an amnesty law benefiting certain political figures.
He called for the government's sincerity in promoting reconciliation efforts with groups inside and outside Parliament. "The government must make it clear to the detractors and critics that they are sincere," he said.
Mismanagement of the problem could revive clashes and turn the public against the administratrion, NSC ex-chief warns
A chronic border conflict with Cambodia is a political time bomb that could threaten the government's stability, a former National Security Council chief warned yesterday.
Khajatpai Burutpat, who served as the NSC secretary-general from 1998 to 2002, said that mismanagement of the problem could lead to an eruption of border clashes similar to those that took place during the previous government's tenure.
The government's failure to protect the country's interest regarding the matter, particularly in the wake of a verdict by the International Court of Justice in a case filed by Cambodia, could result in an outburst of dissatisfaction among the Thais, Khajatpai warned.
"If the court rules in favour of Cambodia, Thai people may not accept the ruling. Many Thais are still upset with the World Court's verdict in 1962 [that gave the ancient temple of Preah Vihear to Cambodia]," he said.
Khajatpai was speaking during a seminar on "The Direction for Thailand on Security Issues" held at Miracle Grand Hotel. The event was co-hosted by the NSC and the Security Promotion Association of Thailand.
He said that despite positive responses from Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen towards the new government, which is headed by Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, in the long run the bilateral ties could turn sour again if the world court rules in favour of Cambodia.
"The conflict with Cambodia is a time bomb or a suicide bomb for the government. If the government mismanages this issue, there will be violence again, like it happened in the past," Khajatpai said.
He said that after Thailand and Cambodia signed a memorandum of understanding in 2000 to settle their border conflict, the bilateral ties remained good until 2005 when Cambodia sought a listing of Preah Vihear Temple as a World Heritage site unilaterally. Border clashes took place from time to time after that, he noted.
Khajatpai called on Cambodia to withdraw its latest case filed with the World Court asking the court for interpretation of its verdict in 1962. He said both countries should return to the negotiating table and refer to the MoU of 2000 in a bid to settle their border row bilaterally.
He said that the social conflict over the last five years also was a major security concern for Thailand. He said that protesters could take to the streets again if the government failed to please them or made some moves that anger them, such as amending the Constitution or issuing an amnesty law benefiting certain political figures.
He called for the government's sincerity in promoting reconciliation efforts with groups inside and outside Parliament. "The government must make it clear to the detractors and critics that they are sincere," he said.
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