Bangkok Post
With the Pheu Thai Party now in power, Thai-Cambodian relations are likely to return to normal.
Soon after Yingluck Shinawatra was elected prime minister by the House of Representatives, Cambodia's ambassador to Thailand, You Aye, called on her with a congratulatory message from Prime Minister Hun Sen. The ambassador also expressed her confidence that the Thai-Cambodian border conflict would be resolved in the near future.
Notably, Hun Sen also ordered all mass media in Cambodia to refrain from publicising news or commentaries deemed defamatory to his Thai counterpart.
Defence Minister Yutthasak Sasiprapa welcomed Hun Sen's offer of friendship. When leaders of the two countries are on good terms, he said, it is easy to overcome problems that otherwise would harm bilateral ties.
Prime Minister Yingluck, however, must take care that her elder brother Thaksin Shinawatra, who is a good friend of Hun Sen, stays out of government-to-government affairs. Thaksin is a businessman and he has no political position in the Pheu Thai-led government. His involvement in bilateral issues may give rise to accusations of conflict of interest.
When he was prime minister, Thaksin was accused by his political opponents of exploiting his political position for personal gain. His dealings with the ruling Burmese junta were a case in point.
Thai-Cambodian relations were strained by personal conflicts and border disputes during the administration of Abhisit Vejjajiva.
Armed clashes broke out when the two countries could not resolve their row over a disputed plot of land near Preah Vihear Temple. With warmer ties, this conflict should be resolved soon, to the benefit of both countries.
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