PM calls for unity and patience

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PM calls for unity and patience

Published: 12/11/2009 at 03:45 PM
Online news: Breakingnews

The government will adhere to peaceful means in solving the conflict between Thailand and Cambodia and the conflict will not be allowed to lead to political changes in the country as some people may want, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said after a meeting of the National Security Council on Thursday.

Mr Abhisit called for the people to stay united and not to believe rumours.

"Some people want to see changes in the country.

''Regardless of whether or not there will be a change, it must happen lawfully. There is no reason for the conflict [with Cambodia] to cause any political change in the country," said the prime minister.

Mr Abhisit said the government would adhere to the principle that any move to solve the conflict must not lead to violence between the peoples of the two countries. The government would be careful to ensure that every step taken does not affect the livelihood of the people.

He said there was no call for people to panic at every unfounded rumour. It would only cause even more misunderstanding. He asked the people to support measures to be taken by the government, and to stay united and to be patient.

Mr Abhisit said the government had not despatched any troop reinforcements to the frontier with Cambodia. The situation there remained normal and cross-border commerce was unaffected.

The Foreign Ministry was looking to see which cooperation projects with Cambodia could be reviewed, but would not be drawn into any game-playing with Cambodia. It would protect protect the interests of the country, not of individuals.

It was not necessary to resort tough measures.

"We will adhere to international practice. Shouting loudly does not mean being strong. Sometimes, quiet ways of dealing with a conflict are more effective.

"And the conflict will not be discussed at Asean level," Mr Abhisit said.

On Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen's comment in an interview that he would be ready to send former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra to Thailand, but not as a prisoner, Mr Abhisit said the government was ready to accept Thaksin, no matter what status he arrives under.

"In fact, our extradition request was made according to international practice. Hun Sen could hand over Thaksin in any status, and we would treat him according to the law," the prime minister said.

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Expat man

Discussion 23 : 13/11/2009 at 01:30 PM23
I think Thaksin should do well in the seat. Later he may be the prime minister of Cambodia. Then he can declare war on Thailand and teach the world how corrupt both governments really are. Who says businessmen cant run well in politics. Here is a perfect example.
Patient Abhisit?

Discussion 22 : 13/11/2009 at 08:50 AM22
One more question one should ask as well is: Is Abhisit preparing a surprise and heavily-inflicted attack?
ricefieldradio

Discussion 21 : 13/11/2009 at 01:04 AM21
Newton's laws of motion is in action here. Thaksin jumps and then the Democrats jump. "To every action there is always an equal and opposite reaction" it's just crazy science. The thing is, it's Thaksin that has the nose-ring of the Democrats and caused them to react. They, the Demos, really need to learn to lead rather than to follow. You are not in charge if you react to everything after it already happens.

The Democrats need to forget about Thaksin and get on with governing the country for the time they have left because they most likely won't have another chance for another 10 years.

James - How time sifts through our memory banks. It may be time for you to go back and revisit some of the pictures of the PAD protests to jog your memory, and remember how they got some of their members to the airport on those BMA busses borrowed at gunpoint.
Peter

Discussion 20 : 12/11/2009 at 10:56 PM20
Point Man #2 Discussion 14

I agree with your point. But utilized incorrect example of the bias of the Abhisit administration.

Thanks!
a Khmer in Phnom Penh

Discussion 19 : 12/11/2009 at 10:45 PM19
is it not ironical, if not hypocritical, from abhisit?
James

Discussion 18 : 12/11/2009 at 08:37 PM18
Mr T. has shown his true colors in the Timesonline interview. I think it's not necessary to escalate the spat with Cambodia any further. The international media now knows who they deal with.

T. can try to overthrow the country from Cambodia (which he is trying) but it is all backfiring. More and more people start to see that he has no problem selling out Thailand and using the confidential knowledge of all Thailand's trade secrets to use it for a country that is led by buddy-dictator so that they can split the profits.

Mr Abhisit, just continue your job with ethics, set up programs to help the poor and start an education tv on campaign for a year on the negative aspects of corruption and you will see solid results.

The presence of Thaksin in Cambodia in fact only makes Cambodia look bad in the International Press' eyes because of the person they associate themselves with. Maybe one should file a case at the Tribunal in The Hague on Thaksin's abominable record on human rights (Tak Bai, War on Drugs, Missing lawyers, ...). I wonder who he will blame for that....
James

Discussion 17 : 12/11/2009 at 08:26 PM17
I don't remember the PAD setting busses on fire and charging them against security forces. Neither did I hear of them using gas containers, threatening to blow up apartment blocks, trying to kill the PM and his driver when leaving Government house. It is so easy for either side to conveniently forget those things. People are truly blessed at times to only use their short-term memory.

Now if they would do that at this protest, then I'm sure the ISA will be invoked each time they rally as well.

If you make comments, be fair. It is all this divisive warmongering that is making everything worse.
Dean In C.M.

Discussion 16 : 12/11/2009 at 08:14 PM16
"Regardless of whether or not there will be a change, it must happen lawfully."

That's almost comical, especially when you consider it comes from a man who became PM through the illegal actions of PAD, which forced out the LEGALLY ELECTED government.
lopez

Discussion 15 : 12/11/2009 at 07:48 PM15
how embarrassing after a few lessions from Hun sen he change his tune he has to learn how to use his word carefully in the past alway use the "use force" be careful my brother that threat word are not good don't miss quote Hun sen words "Hun sen not compare thaksin the same league as Aung San Suu Kyi that is completely miss quote he may come back for that" read carefull save the embarrassment Abhisit if you need some english lesson call my sister she is a English professor in the big university in La.
Pointman #2

Discussion 14 : 12/11/2009 at 07:38 PM14
Discussion 12: Peter, it costs a lot of money to deploy security forces. I supppose, Prime Minister Abhisit's staff, had different secuity plans for differnt situations, based on the threat level. If someone likes you they normally, aren't considered a threat. If someone doesn't like you, I would imagine, they could be considered a threat.

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PM calls for unity and patience