Bangkok Post : PM asked to formally counter Hun Sen

PM asked to formally counter Hun Sen

Published: 26/10/2009 at 01:55 PM
Online news:

A small group of senators on Monday called for Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva to issue a formal response to Cambodian leader Hun Sen's ''unethical'' action in using the Asean summit forum to show his personal support for former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

Senators Paiboon Nititawan, Khamnoon Sithisamarn and Sumon Sutaviriya said at a press conference that the prime minister's verbal responses were not enough. He should also issue a formal statement on the Cambodian prime minister's unethical use of the international forum in Hua Hin.

Mr Khamnoon said the PM's statement should adhere to diplomatic principles but at the same time clearly show Thailand's standpoint regarding Thaksin.

He urged the government to announce an indefinite delay of parliament's consideration of three memoranda of understanding on Thai-Cambodian border talks over the 4.6-square-kilometre area in dispute around the Preah Vihear temple, as required by Article 190 of the constitution, to show its dissatisfaction with the Cambodian leader.

Mr Khamnoon said most people werevery unhappy with Hun Sen's announced stance, which had sowed the seeds of conflict between the Thai and Cambodian people.

Therefore, the prime minister should counter Hun Sen's action with a formal statement..

Mr Paiboon called on the government to adopt a tough policy with Cambodia and give more importance to national integrity and existence than to trivial economic interests.

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Pathetic PAD

Discussion 9 : 27/10/2009 at 06:26 PM9
Seed of discord was shown when the popularly elected former Prime Minister was forced out by the military. Everything else happened since then are just ripples affect from that decision.

According to Webster's definition of unethical: it is a deviation from moral standard. One should really ask, which is unethical, the decision to overthrow the popularly elected leader or a comment made by Hunsen.

If there were many things the former premier did were unethical, then why not prosecute him while he was in office?

If a person chooses to make a statement in a less than desirable environment, is that really unethical?
If truth be told, his comment really hit a sensitive nerve among a specific group, that is why it is labeled as unethical? Unethical defined according to one's own liking...hmm..
Abhisitsuck

Discussion 8 : 26/10/2009 at 10:27 PM8
let me ask the Thai sentors a little thing about unethical.

What basis you are claiming that Hun Sen's statement was not ethical?

Hen Sen's statement is ethical:
1. if base on the Thai court decision, you guides are doom, not fair, not supported by international community.
2. Hun Sen has the right in expressing ideas.
3. Hun Sen tries to help the victim, Thaksin.
4. Hun Sen is telling the world that the Thai Government is not democratic and is detatership.
Paul 1

Discussion 7 : 26/10/2009 at 07:12 PM7
Seems to me that the ASEAN summit was NOT in session when Abhisit met Mr. Hun Sen. Consequently, how can you say that he used the ASEAN summit for his remarks. Abhisit has brought all this on himself, and you nutty senators should, like him, keep your nose out of things that do not concern you.
Looking Inn

Discussion 6 : 26/10/2009 at 04:48 PM6
A little more info please?

Are these senators of the elected or appointed variety? Do they have any particular expertise in foreign relations? Since when have any memorandums of understanding between the (current)Thai and Cambodian governments been submitted to the Parliament for consideration? Why hasn't Daddy Chidchob scheduled them?

Previous commenters have noted the lack of credible supporting data for the "insult" felt by the Thai people (as opposed what was a direct slap at the current Thai government). Lack of data notwithstanding, it's a pretty sure bet the yellow-clad folks were insulted to be beaten at their own game of playing Cambodian national interests into Thai domestic political squabbles.
Now, who is actually sowing seeds of distrust and animosity?

Why would the senators use the term "unethical?" What ethos is to be applied when asserting national sovereignty? It's hardly even "undiplomatic", as tough statements and perceived insults are released all the time. What has this government done to EARN the respect and cooperation of the Cambodian government? Host a meeting where they hold a rotating chair position?

Which trivial economic interests are being referred to? Casinos, illegal felling of Cambodian timber, smuggling Cambodian crops into Thailand to take advantage of the crop subsidy schemes here, or the Thai technology and infrastructure companies that hold long-term agreements with Cambodia?

Please, a little more information is necessary for a thinking reader to critically examine the statement of these senators.
Lertsiri Boonmee

Discussion 5 : 26/10/2009 at 04:03 PM5
Ok lets try some analogies. A bully at school gets a friend. The only friend he could find was someone who liked candy. So the bully buys some candy and suddenly he had a friend. Now everyone in class is hearing the two buddies shouting about their FRIENDSHIP...One of 2 things could possibly happen in this class. 1) Everyone turns and listens and cries and worry that the friendship might turn into something more...(not sexually, but maybe more of a violent grouping of some sort, although the sight of two friends turning into a loving relationship might provoke people to vomit)

2) Everyone in class can just let the two blabber about their new found friendship that was recently announced to the whole class and do nothing but to concentrate on the problems at hand such as how to get better scores in the next final exam or more vaguely, their own futures.

This scenario may sound familiar to many in this world, because it happens everyday in schools all around the world. A bully finds a friend to hide his insecurities. Thats actually a theme for many movies, and even cartoons! Look at Doraemon for example. Look at Dek Kong movie last year, look at the daily SOAP OPERAS on TV where we see this all the time....so you see my analogy is not far fetched and not that hard to actually see because if you open your eyes, you will see such actions.

The funny thing is...(and this is my main point that you all should be concentrating on) most of those actions are ended during puberty period. It ends when the Soap Opera ends. It ends when the movie credits roll up. It ends when the teacher in school comes and gives them advice. It ends when Doraemon characters shake hands and all walk into the sunset smiling. But for politicians....how dare they involve the rest of the world in their own relationships (good or bad). As if WE ALL DIDN'T Have ENOUGH PROBLEMS ALREADY in this world.

I stand for peaceful talks, negotiations, handshakes that are genuine and not fake, solutions at meetings to change the world. Do away with the silent knife that continues to slice away at the peaceful lives in Thailand and our neighboring countries. All deserve (assuming we all pay our taxes) a peaceful life by living in a moderate society and helping each other prosper as a nation. As an example for humanity's reference in the past. And for the ultimate benefit for future generations.
fair and balanced

Discussion 4 : 26/10/2009 at 03:59 PM4
'Mr Khamnoon said most people werevery unhappy with Hun Sen's announced stance, which had sowed the seeds of conflict between the Thai and Cambodian people'.

No....................I think the PAD rallying at the border sowed the seeds of conflct a lot more then Hun Sen's comments.

Furthermore, I would like to know what evidence Mr Kamnoon has to suggest that 'most people were unhappy with Hun Sen's stance'. Other ASEAN members haven't condemned his stance. As for Thais, Taksin was brought to office by two landside elections in 2001 and 2005.

And for those Taksin-bashers who may claim that people's opinions of Taksin have changed you only have to look at the report in the BP today showing Taksin is prefered as PM over Abhisit.

Of course free and fair elections would go a long way to settle these problems but the current PAD/military backed government are clearly trying to delay this for as long as possible!!!
Eric

Discussion 3 : 26/10/2009 at 03:39 PM3
The best form of countering a critism is to ignore it. Why get all hot around the collar if you if feel that all rhetoric. Or it is that you feel that Thailand is just too big to be criticise by a smaller neighbour. Time for Thailand to look inside for answers as your actions are glaringly disappointing.
Tara

Discussion 2 : 26/10/2009 at 03:23 PM2
In spite of the military's Paul Revere preparation (One if by land, two if by sea), the blockade of Hua Hin Harbor and all roads leading in Dr. Thaksin managed to disrupt the Asean meeting with out so much as one red shirt. Now, you want to carry it further, its over, let it be. Sometimes in life we are made to look the fool by somebody more clever but pursuing the matter can be putting gasoline on the fire.
Bibi

Discussion 1 : 26/10/2009 at 02:27 PM1
why only Cambodia...should counter those that their country allowing Thaksin staying now...you should cut ties with Cambodia and those Midle east too....pointless and useless that non of us all understand the international law but living in a dreaming in the Tai way....