Thailand Unique Style of International Relationship

Thailand is surely glad that its two small and immediate neighbours to the southeastern are "Cambodia and Laos" and not "Myanmar and Vietnam", otherwise would have to think really hard of the dire straight consequences if troops to be deployed in such a hostile manner.


The sad fact [deployment of military/stand-off at Preah Vihear] would never have happened and can be avoided completely had certain groups of Thai publics and politicians particularly the opposition reacted more appropriately to the temple's inscription as a World Heritage site, and could somehow, in their own term and manner, sort out their differences instead of politicizing the issue [Preah Vihear Temple] and dragged Cambodia into its own domestic problem.

1962
Thailand and Cambodia took their dispute over the temple's ownership to the International Court of Justice in 1962, when Thailand lost the case.

For 46 years, the world has known that the ancient temple belongs to Cambodia, as per a the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruled that the temple was situated in territory under the sovereignty of Cambodia and that Thailand has no whatsoever right to the ancient archaeological site.

Negotiations

The world has known for 46 years that Preah Vihear Temple belongs to Cambodia, as per a the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruled [Preah Vihear was situated in territory under the sovereignty of Cambodia and Thailand has no right to the ancient archaeological site].

Cambodia, however, with good faith and openness of her attention, sincerity and due respects for its immediate neighbour - Thailand, has entered into dialogue after dialogue, negotiation after negotiation for a good 7 years to teething out any differences on the enlist of Preah Vihear Temple as one of many World Heritage site of cultural significant before securing a joint-communique duly signed by both side: The former foreign minister Noppadon Pattama of Thailand and Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister Sok An [Thailand, in the last minute ditch during the Vancouver session, tried to block Cambodia by demanding a joint-management which was also objected].

Just days after the successful enlisted of the ancient temple [only temple was enlisted by the areas along the temple remains to be dealt by Joint Border Commission], Thailand deployed its troops and tanks to the disputed areas. Since the stand-off, there were 3 high level meetings between the Defence and Foreign Ministers from both side, and the fourth was called off by Thailand just shortly before the scheduled meeting start without any prior warning.


There were not any fruitful conclusion however both side agreed on replying of troops, to defuse tensions along the border, seeing almost all their troops from the ancient temple site on 16 August after a fraught and a month-long stand-off, but there were reports that Thailand soldiers are still occupying the Ta Moan Thom temple, claimed by Thailand that their troops are stationed there for years, and disputed by Cambodia that the temple situated in its territory.


The Tidal Waves Behind the Incursion Into Cambodia

PAD started as an organization - the "Government Watch Dog", turned politic but failed to secure enough supports and votes for the top job during 2007 election [another democratic election since 2006 after the Military Junta rolled its tanks and mobilized its elite "Black Uniform Army" to the heart of Nation, Bangkok, overthrown the then its legitimate democratic elected government of Prime Minister Thakshin Sinawatra while he was abroad, addressing the UN assembly].

There's no One Size Fit All solution but the Drop in the Bucket surely created Tidal Waves

With brilliant idea of the mainstream mass media who have always sorted to exploit all issues as a hot news commodity to their advantage, PAD surely knows the time has arrived and shall make full use of them to seizing the momentum for its political gain.

The successful enlisted of Preah Vihear Temple as World Heritage site of cultural significant by the Cambodia is just an excuse for PAD to legitimise its policies and actions while their main intention so far is to get rid off the months old legitimate democratic elected government whose they thought is the figurehead of the former ousted legitimate government by the Junta.

Nationalism is indeed not out of fashion.

PAD has been heavily exploiting and stirring up the sentiment of Thai publics and angering nationalist who are still naively claim ownership of the ancient temple [after 46 years, they couldn't get over the fact that Preah Vihear Temple belongs to Cambodia].

PAD has been able to push the government to one corner and holding them at bay: seeing the sudden deploying of Thai military mights and muscles to its southeastern border "Preah Vihear Temple" instead of rolling tanks, armoured personal carriers and elite black uniform army to the heart of capital Bangkok as seen in 2006; intimidating its immediate small and friendly neighbour "Cambodia".

Thai Arm Force's New Toys
Thailand recent purchase US$600m worth of military hardware, consisted of six Swedish JAS 39 Gripen fighters, one Saab 340 aircraft equipped with the Erieye AEW radar system and a command-and-control system to link the fighters with the Erieye system, are additional to the existing fleet, and that further defence procurement is speculated to include submarines and the delayed purchase of armoured personnel carriers (APCs) this year [2008].

[the Nation: Fighter Purchase - Heralding Thai Military Modernisation Programme? written by RSIS's Ron Matthews and Curie Maharani].

The overthrown of Thaksin has failed Thailand in securing the US F16 figthers, which was initiatted by the Thaksin government [Americans were banned on selling to countries where government was overthrown].

Thailand International Relationship Style

Thailand is surely know how to employ Military Mights and Muscles as the only Mean Of Getting Attentions from its small and friendly immediate neighbour

On July 15, the well equipped Thai armies with modernized military hardware and tanks, were deployed to the disputed areas followed by Cambodian armies were there to stand guard from any farther incursion and subsequently the built up of forces by both side in and around the disputed area and tension rose accordingly; following the announcement by UNESCO that it has listed the 11th century Preah Vihear Temple as one of the world's heritage site of cultural significant.

Thailand international relationship style in this particular instance, in the eyes of Cambodians, is indeed a hostile act rather than the new trend adopt by many countries around the world; where bilateral, open and honest dialogue as mean to resolve any differences

"Russia's Attack on Georgia, "That (the use of forceis simply not the way in which international relationship can be run in the 21st century". "This is equally valid in the case of the Thai-Cambodian territorial dispute over Preah Vihear Temple", said Mr. David Miliband Brittish Foreign Secretary. [the Nation" Thais and Cambodians must learn to be good neighbours].

I do agree with Mr. David Biliband that resort to military arm conflict and stand off as the only solution and tool to settle any dispute or differences is not really a wise option to conduct international relation in the 21st century. However, Thailand has chosen to act so.

The case here is not so complicated and is really showing the unique Thailand's style of international relationship in dealing with small country without taking into consideration that:-

1] Preah Vihear Temple is not belonged to or a break away or renegaded Thai province as seen in the restive south where Thai-Muslim engaged in all kind of undiscriminating attacks whether or not they are ordinary citizens, public servants or people from different religions.

2] There are any Thai citizen[s] who reside along the border, indeed in great danger as it happened in Georgie which was seen as the motive for Russia to engage in all out war to protect those citizens are said to hold Russian citizenship.

The sad fact [deployment of military/stand-off at Preah Vihear] would never have happened and can be avoided completely had certain groups of Thai publics and politicians particularly the opposition reacted more appropriately to the temple's inscription as a World Heritage site, and could somehow, in their own term and manner, sort out their differences instead of politicizing the issue [Preah Vihear Temple] and dragged its immediate neighbour into its own domestic problem.

Thailand is surely glad that its two small and immediate neighbours to the southeastern are "Cambodia and Laos" who are indeed less population and weak in terms of military mights and muscles to stand up to such intimidation or fence themselves in case of war.

Thailand would have to think really hard of the dire straight consequences if troops to be deployed at "Myanmar and Vietnam's border" in such a hostile manner.

Border talks postponed

Courtesy of Straits Times - Singapore

PHNOM PENH - ANTI-government protests in Bangkok have caused the Thai military to postpone talks to discuss withdrawing troops from a disputed border area near an ancient temple, a Cambodian general said on Thursday.

Twenty soldiers from Cambodia and Thailand remain stationed at a small pagoda on a patch of disputed land near Cambodia's Preah Vihear temple, while 40 from both sides remain nearby.

Up to 1,000 Cambodian and Thai troops pulled back from the area in mid-August, suggesting that an end to the sometimes tense month-long military stand-off could be near.

But Cambodian and Thai military officials scheduled to meet Friday to discuss a further pullback of troops postponed their talks at the request of Thai officials, Cambodian General Neang Phat, a secretary of state at the defence ministry, told sources on Thursday.

The request was made Wednesday afternoon, just hours after a 30-member Thai delegation arrived in Siem Reap to prepare for the talks, he said.

'They requested the meeting be postponed and they returned to Thailand,' General Neang Phat said.

'They did not give any reasons. But we can know that it is because of their internal problems,' he added.

Thai officials were not immediately available to confirm the suspension of the talks.

Thousands of Thai protesters seized a television station and occupied the the main government compound in Bangkok this week in an attempt to force the resignation of Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej.

Courts have ordered the protesters out of Government House and issued arrest warrants for nine of the movement's leaders, but the demonstrators remained defiant Thursday.

General Neang Phat said it was not clear when Thai and Cambodian military officials would resume the meeting to discuss troop withdrawals.

After talks last week between Thai Foreign Minister Tej Bunnag and his Cambodian counterpart Hor Namhong, the two sides said a border committee would meet in October to step up efforts to draw the boundary around the temple.

Cambodia had asked the UN Security Council to consider the standoff that erupted in July, but Mr Hor Namhong said that request would likely be withdrawn.

Relations between the neighbours flared up last month after Preah Vihear was awarded world heritage status by the UN cultural body UNESCO, angering nationalists in Thailand who still claim ownership of the ancient Khmer temple.

On July 15, Cambodia arrested three Thai protesters for illegally crossing the border to try to reach the temple, sparking the deployment of troops from both sides on the tiny patch of disputed land near Preah Vihear.

The International Court of Justice ruled in 1962 that the Preah Vihear temple belongs to Cambodia, but the surrounding land remains in dispute. -- AFP

Cambodia, Thai Border Talks Postponed Due To Bangkok Protests

The Nation: Thu, August 28, 2008 : Last updated 13:10 hours

By Deutsche Presse Agenture

Phnom Penh - Informal talks between Bangkok and Phnom Penh over disputed border areas were halted abruptly and scheduled formal talks postponed indefinitely amid political tension in Thailand, a Cambodian official said Thursday.


Defence Ministry Secretary of State Neang Phat said the Thai delegation arrived Wednesday in Siem Reap, 300 kilometres north of Phnom Penh, and the two sides had talked amicably before formal talks scheduled for Friday were abruptly cancelled.


"We had prepared all the documents," Phat said. "Then a call came and they asked for the meeting to be delayed. They didn't say why but we can assume. This is Thailand's business, not ours."


Phat was referring to the ongoing anti-government protests in Bangkok by the Thai opposition People's Alliance for Democracy movement, which escalated Tuesday.


Phat said no new date had been set for a resumption of joint talks over border areas around the newly listed UNESCO World Heritage site of Preah Vihear temple, as well as the Ta Moan temple complex 150 kilometres to its west.


Thailand maintains the sovereignty of the areas is disputed but Phnom Penh claims the territory belongs to Cambodia. Several rounds of bilateral talks so far have failed to break the impasse.


Cambodia closed the border to Thailand at Preah Vihear, north of Siem Reap, in June after Thai protesters gathered in the area, saying it feared trouble with Cambodian settlers.


On July 7 UNESCO granted the 11th-century hilltop Hindu temple World Heritage status over protests by Thailand. Thai troops moved into nearby areas a week later, severely straining relations between the neighbours.//dpa

Thailand, Cambodia Agree To Tourism For Preah Vihear Once Military Tensions Ease

Courtesy of Phnom Penh Post
Written by Thet Sambath and Brendan Brady
Wednesday, 27 August 2008

Thai Prime Minister Samak met with Cambodian Defence Minister Tea Banh over the dispute, agreeing to restart tourism to the ancient site after troops leave the area

AFP

Tourists stroll through the ruins at Preah Vihear. Officials hope to draw in more visitors. THAILAND and Cambodia have agreed to cooperate to develop tourism at areas along the border once the military standoff is resolved, Thai Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej said Monday.

The Thai premier made the statement in Bangkok after meeting with Cambodia's defence minister, Tea Banh, who is also a deputy prime minister.

"Territorial problems which cannot be resolved by now will be left for negotiations later," and a "middleman will be appointed to oversee promoting tourism with an aim to bring back tourists," Samak was quoted as saying by the Thai government news service, Thai News Agency (TNA).

He added that the temple cannot be opened to tourism until all military personnel have withdrawn, according to TNA.

Monday's agreement to promote tourism at Preah Vihear temple came after Cambodian Foreign Minister Hor Namhong and his Thai counterpart, Tej Bunnag, failed in talks August 19 and 20 to reach a resolution on the border dispute.

The two sides agreed they would meet again in October pending a survey and demarcation of the area to be carried out by the Joint Border Commission.


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I never thought this area would become popular with tourists.

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On the Cambodian side, developing tourism at Preah Vihear could give a major boost for a corner of the country long notorious as the last region occupied by Khmer Rouge fighters.

Locals hopeful
The prospect of a tourism boom has enterprising Cambodians in the area licking their lips at the potential windfall.

Tep Savy, 43, an owner of a small guesthouse in Sa Em, about 25 kilometres from the base of the pitted mountain road to the temple, said her village had been an active battlefield between Khmer Rouge and Cambodian military forces since she moved there in 1979.

"I never thought this area would become popular with tourists. It's going to go from a war zone to a tourist boom town," she said.

She said that since the temple's World Heritage listing, her 12-room guesthouses, which before was lucky to see a guest every couple of days, is now regularly fully booked.

She said she planned to add more rooms but would wait for the temple standoff to cool down before making the investment.

Chim Phalla, from Komuoy village at the base of the Dangrek mountain range on which the temple sits, has "high hopes to earn a fortune" by quitting his job as a grocer and opening a restaurant to capitalise on the expected influx of tourist dollars.

Tourism Minister Thong Khon told the Post that the government would develop comprehensive plans to encourage the development of tourism infrastructure for Preah Vihear temple, including road access from Phnom Penh and Siem Reap.

The Unesco listing should also promote Preah Vihear's spot on multinational temple tours through Cambodia, Thailand and Laos, he added.

Infrastructure
Early this month, Prime Minister Hun Sen ordered that the 80 km road connecting Anlong Veng town to Preah Vihear temple be paved as the dispute with Thailand has lent new significance to the ancient ruins of Preah Vihear temple.

The prime minister followed up last week, ordering the construction of a new 9km road from Prey Veng village in Oddar Meanchey province to Ta Moan Thom temple complex, also along the border with Thailand.

Thailand and Cambodia have been locked in a military standoff at the temples for six weeks.

Tensions have eased, but troops are still only yards apart in some disputed areas.

US envoy urges Asean to take up temple issue

Courtesy of Bangkok Post

Phnom Penh (dpa) - The Association of Southeast Asian Nations could play a key role in resolving an ongoing border dispute between Cambodia and Thailand, outgoing US ambassador to Cambodia Joseph Mussomeli said at a press conference Monday.

Mussomeli, who is ending a three-year mission, said the US favoured a bilateral solution between the two neighbours over disputed territory on the northern Cambodian border.

"Cambodia and Thailand are neighbours and they will stay with each other forever," he told reporters. "Thailand needs Cambodia and Cambodia needs Thailand.

"But if bilateral negotiations fail, if after every effort you cannot find a solution, it is time to consider the option of the United Nations Security Council."

He also said one step that had been overlooked in the negotiation process which could help ensure the dispute was solved within Asian parameters was the 10-member Asean, of which both sides are members.

"That is one thing Asean could do to make itself really effective," he said.

Tensions arose last month shortly after UNESCO declared the 11th-century Preah Vihear temple, around 300 kilometres from the capital, a World Heritage site over Thai objections.

Thailand sent troops into what it says is disputed territory near the temple and Cambodia says is sovereign territory.

At the end of July, Cambodia made fresh claims that Thai troops had also moved into the Ta Moan temple complex, 150 kilometres west, but Thailand disputed that, saying it had held the area for years.

Who's The Crying Wolf?

BANGKOKIAN
When Cambodia cries wolf
By The Nation.
Published on August 1, 2008

Cambodia knows exactly when and where to hit Thailand to inflict the most pain on its neighbour to the east. Repeated attempts by Phnom Penh to raise the Preah Vihear dispute at the international level in forums such as the United Nations and the Non-Aligned Movement - which were subsequently withdrawn - shows a lack of sincerity and ill intentions. At a meeting in Singapore, Asean took the unprecedented step of discussing the temple dispute but without any progress.

Just put fingers cross and hope that the Author of this particular article, in any way and manner, did not represent the voices of the people of Thailand or the current legitimate democratic elected government and its administration.

If the Author means to say that Cambodia has lack of sincerity and ill intention on her part then he/she [author] is indeed an impressive delusional.

Mind you that Cambodia is the sole and lawful owner of the Preah Vihear Temple, which was legally awarded by the International Court of Justice in Hague, dated back in 1962; and was fully recognized by the international community. However, with due respects and sincerity, in good faith and in good intentions for us as a neighbour, Cambodia has approached Thailand that we shall have an open and sincere dialogue regarding the enlisting of Preah Vihear Temple as World Heritage site.

Both sides have done all their bests to teething any differences, meetings after meetings before reaching a fruitful result when a join communique was eventually and dully signed by the lawful representatives from both Cambodia and Thailand.

During the 32nd session in Quebec, the World Heritage Committee [all the 21 members] has unanimously approved the Cambodian application to list the Preah Vihear Temple as the World Heritage Site.
Thailand last attempt to delay and cite for a join-menagement on the temple has been rejected.

In return for all good deeds by Cambodia, the Royal Government and people of Cambodia; Thailand has decided to flex its military mights and muscles by sending its elite troops and military hardware to the surrounding areas of Preah Vihear Temple, on 15 July 2008.

How would the Author explain these type of action?

Would these actions prove the kind of sincerity and good intentions on part of Thailand?

When Cambodia Cries Wolf

BANGKOKIAN
When Cambodia cries wolf
By The NationPublished on August 1, 2008
Cambodia knows exactly when and where to hit Thailand to inflict the most pain on its neighbour to the east. Repeated attempts by Phnom Penh to raise the Preah Vihear dispute at the international level in forums such as the United Nations and the Non-Aligned Movement - which were subsequently withdrawn - shows a lack of sincerity and ill intentions. At a meeting in Singapore, Asean took the unprecedented step of discussing the temple dispute but without any progress. It was out of Asean goodwill and the good office of the previous chair, Singapore, that both sides were able to discuss the problem against the backdrop of the Asean meeting.

When members have bilateral problems, especially over sensitive issues concerning sovereignty, they should resolve them in an amicable way without being aggressive or using strong diplomatic language.

In Singapore, the Cambodian delegation left its mark with strong words of condemnation for Thailand over the controversy. The Thai delegation, headed by Deputy Prime Minister Sahas Banditkul, was calm and mature. Sahas did not respond to the Cambodian tirade. Several Asean members have expressed concerns over the rough way the Cambodian delegate dealt with the issue.

After the end of the Asean meeting, Singapore Foreign Minister George Yeo wrote a letter to his Cambodian counterpart, Hor Namhong, expressing concerns about the creditability of Asean as Cambodia has insisted that it would seek the intervention of the UN Security Council. Since both countries are members of Asean, any dispute between them should be settled bilaterally. Instead, Cambodia has tried to score points internationally by portraying the country as a victim of intimidation by a bigger and more prosperous neighbour. Asean wants all of its members to discuss and solve problems in the spirit of the grouping.

Cambodia's desire to internationalise the issue helps to show its true intention to tarnish Thailand's reputation. Of course, there is nothing Thailand can do at the moment as its domestic situation in recent years has been rather damning. Cambodia's approach would work if Thailand really were a bully. Look around, Thailand has been reduced to a small and non-significant player since 2001. Our reputation overseas has sunk to its lowest level ever. Instead of helping Thailand to settle the dispute amicably, those in Cambodia's upper echelon have instead decided that now is the best time to teach Thailand a lesson.

Several Asean members and dialogue partners have confided to the Foreign Ministry that they do not support Cambodia's efforts to push the temple dispute to the UN level. A member of the Security Council said that any internationalised issue would impact on Asean as a whole.

For the next 18 months, Thailand will serve as the chair of Asean. Cambodia's attitude will be crucial and should be closely scrutinised, as it will have far-reaching ramifications for the future of Asean.

If Cambodia continues to threaten to use the UN and Non-Aligned Movement forums, it would certainly hamper the effectiveness of the Thai chairmanship of Asean.

Thailand Has Shown Its True Color

Thailand as in geographic and population size-wise is much lager and most populated than its friendly neighbour - Cambodia - Total area of: 514,000 sq km, land: 511,770 sq km, water: 2,230 sq km; with a population of 65,493,298 people comparing to a total area of: 181,040 sq km, land: 176,520 sq km, water: 4,520 sq km and population of just14,241,640; respectively.

Thailand domestic political affairs was once again at the blink of seeing the repetition of another potential coup d'etat, when tanks and black uniformed arm force were stationed and occupied all main streets leading to the Government House; some 2 years ago during the overthrown of democratic elected government of Thaksin Sinawatra, if they failed to act swiftly to the demand of PAD [People Allied for Democracy].

The current administration in Thailand has been losing its momentum and forced to a corner by compromising its stance and realistic approaches [domestic and international policy's approach] when PAD took on the street and demanded a swift action over the allegation that its current administration assisted Cambodia to enlist the temple and giving away the so called land in the disputed area where are yet to finalized and demarcated or otherwise would be facing the same fate as the Thaksin's administration.

By rather than looking into an applicable and constructive solution to its domestic political affairs, and to have the border issues solved diplomatically through round table talk and negotiation, the current administration has turned its back and acted contrarily to the join communique [sign by both countries] and since then the departure of its Foreign Minister was inevitable .

On 15 July 2008, Thailand and its current administration have decided to flex its military mights and muscles by sending troops and hardware to the Cambodia -Thai border where the 900 years old Cambodia owned Preah Vihear Temple is standing proud and has been enlisted as world heritage site, and since then the numbers of troops has been doubling by both sides.

Thailand is one of the well-equipped military nation amongst the ASEAN members' nation [is said to acquired a naval carrier some 10 years ago], has finally shown its true color.

It is sad but true!

This action [decision by the current administration in Thailand to flex its military mights and muscles] is purely a form of intimidation and dire-straight warning to its friendly neighbor - Cambodia.

Cambodia may not have such a modernized military mights and muscles, Cambodia population is smaller, however should the war is inevitable, Cambodia and its people will stand up to the aggression - should a soldier down then 2 civilians will stand up and take the place of its comrade.

If it is really the best solution for Thailand, and its administration is thinking that this is the right method to intimidate and oppress Cambodia, I strongly believed that Cambodia and its people have to and can live with it. But so far, it has been proven that Thailand and its people cannot live the truth that Preah Vihear Temple is rightfully belonged to Cambodia.

We will not make the first move, but will of course retaliate should attacked, however our goal is to find a peaceful solution to the problem, we will seek every possible way and through diplomatic channel within the ASEAN, those friendly nations, the UNSC or ICJ to settle the issue one for the last time and for the historical record.

I personally would urge the Thai administration and its people to have a peaceful solution by engaging on all honest and opened dilogues in the best interests of both nations and to evert any imminent war.