PM wants Cambodia to revise stance

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PM wants Cambodia to revise stance

  • Published: 15/11/2009 at 11:29 AM
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The Thai-Cambodian dispute will end if Cambodia revises its position towards the Thai government, according to Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva.

"If the Cambodian government adjusts its stance, the problems between the two countries will be resolved," Mr Abhisit said in his weekly broadcast on Sunday while attending the Apec summit in Singapore.

"Thailand, as the Asean chair, will not let the Thai-Cambodian issues affect other trading partners and I would like Thai people to be patient and show their sincerity by being good neighbours while protecting their national interest."

He insisted his government did not start the problem, as ties between the two countries were smooth before the Cambodian government appointed ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra as its advisor and refused to extradite him.

The government had used diplomatic measures to counter Cambodia, but it did not want the problems to exacerbate, he said.

The revision to revoke the maritime agreement with Cambodia was constitutional and it had to pass the parliament's approval, he said. The Foreign Ministry had been assigned to look into all the related laws.

On domestic affairs, he said the government had three main tasks: to reform the rail operation, to resolve the Map Ta Phut impasse and to eradicate narcotics nationwide.

He said the government will urgently solve the dispute between the State Railway of Thailand's management and labour union, while ensuring the safety of train passengers.

The economic ministers on Wednesday approved a budget of 100 billion baht to reform the rail operation by improving its services, products and personnel.

"The government wants the trains to run at a speed of 100 to 120 kilometres per hour. A dual gauge system will be used and rail services will expand to neighbouring countries. The management system will be enhanced and divided to support new projects in the future."

Mr Abhisit said a four-party committee, chaired by former prime minister Anand Panyarachun, had been form to seek short- and long-term solutions for Map Ta Phut, after the Administrative Court passed a ruling to temporarily suspend 76 industrial projects at Thailand's largest industrial estate in Rayong.

"The problems will be divided into 16 projects and the tasks must be achieved within 60 days. They are expected to start next week," he said.

The premier said the measures to suppress drug trafficking along the border areas will be more stringent, and officials will work more closely with communities to prevent illegal drugs from spreading.

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  • farang

    Discussion 22 : 15/11/2009 at 11:57 PM22

    Mr PM Abhisit,
    just remember in this Cambodian conflict (it is for sore an conflict) the way you came to your position.
    Because of a military coop that ousted former Pm Thaksin. Dont forget the history.
    Cambodia are today a more democratic country then Thailand been for years. And as long as they want to support Thaksin, it is actually up to them.
    Try to solve this countrys big problem before you go abroad.

  • Tong

    Discussion 21 : 15/11/2009 at 10:22 PM21

    To Gecko, discussion 13
    You know if there is war like what u said. Arent you afraid that Burma, Laos and Vietnam will get involved? Malaysia will keep quiet. 3 countries attack Thailand, Burma and Cambodia, Top and Bottom, Thailand will be in giant troubles.
    Then US(maybe) will help Thailand? China will not keep quiet too, another World War????
    What I say is just my stupid ideas, hope it will never be true, I want to live in peace with all good neighbor. Wanna see ASEAN is like European Union.

  • Tong

    Discussion 20 : 15/11/2009 at 10:01 PM20

    "If the Cambodian government adjusts its stance, the problems between the two countries will be resolved," Mr Abhisit said in his weekly broadcast on Sunday while attending the Apec summit in Singapore.

    I wonder what the problems are? Including Preah Vihear and border issue or not? Will we use internation recognised map to slove border issue or not? I remember since before Thaksin appointment as economic adviser, Abbisit government complain UNESCO about Preah Vihear and told Cambodia that it is Thai issue with UNESCO, nothing to do with Cambodia. It is so absurd while the temple belongs to Cambodia.

    This is the problem had arose before Thaksin appointments. Finally, I am really curious what the problems to be solved that Mr. Abbisit can guarantee.

  • Bun Heng

    Discussion 19 : 15/11/2009 at 09:58 PM19

    To Mr. Abhisit:

    1. How can you improve the bilateral relationship with Cambodia or simple word is to make good neighbor, when you always promote the extreme Nationalist concept among Thai people. You always tell Thai people about your country interest - Is this to promote fault partitism like Mr. Thasin said and gain more popularity? or you really try to make good neighbors with Cambodia an tohers? Early this year you came to Cambodia met with Mr. Hun Sen and return back some Angkor sculture pieces. A few days later you return to Thailand then you wanted to ask UNESCO to revisit the registration of Cambodian Preah Vihear in the World Heritage List.

    2. You want to see Cambodian government stance reviosed - do you plan to revise your stance according to the facts/history?

  • true_blue

    Discussion 18 : 15/11/2009 at 09:37 PM18

    On paragraph 4:

    "He insisted his government did not start the problem, as ties between the two countries were smooth before the Cambodian government appointed ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra as its advisor and refused to extradite him."

    Now Abhisit sounds as if Thailand has not done anything (in the past and in very recent history)to offend Cambodia. How about the dispute over Preah Vihear? How about the border clashes and atrocities? And how come Thailand is required a visa to enter Cambodia?

    How could he claim that the relationship between the 2 countries is smooth? Come on, admit it. Thailand looks down at Cambodia despite Cambodia's much longer history and richer heritage compared to Thailand.

    And now Cambodia has the pawn in its hand and Abhisit wants Cambodia just to give it up? No way, Cambodia will play its game. And Abhisit will come running after Hu Sen in this new game of hide and seek!

  • Wilson Penn

    Discussion 17 : 15/11/2009 at 09:36 PM17

    "He(Abhisit) insisted his government did not start the problem,"
    Abhisit must talk the talk and walk the walk. Did he remember what he had said during 2008 PAD demonstration about Preah Vihear Temple and about Cambodia? Does he think that only Thais have feeling? It is childish to blame someone else, while you were the one who started to play with fire.

  • RHIZ

    Discussion 16 : 15/11/2009 at 08:30 PM16

    there is not war in this 21 century...by war does not depend on weapon alone...experience, tactic and many things...Vietnam war is one example...USA is the creator of weapon still cannot win that war...what about Thailand? you are not the creator...don't be proud of what you have and what Cambodia doesn't have...at least we never invade your country...! But I don't think Cambodia want to have war with Thai...cuz everyone in the country they love peace...Just treat each other fair that enough and live peacefully as neighbor..

  • stima

    Discussion 15 : 15/11/2009 at 08:26 PM15

    Abhisit is a smooth and soft speaker as usual.
    Here is what i want to say to Abhisit:
    Thing is not going to change, if you request your counter-part to change the attitude while you, yourself, cling to the idea that "I am on the right side, you are the wrong one".
    If Abhisit really want the change, he should try to show his commitment first before asking Cambodia.

    To Gecko, discussion 13.

    Your idea is kind of childish since thing will never going that way. To win your opponent by force, then try to cut a deal with your own condition is silly and very uneducated. That will result nothing but to show the world that thailand is an ugly bully. Ma... It will never be happening that way. Thailand is not a Bully.

  • Alex

    Discussion 14 : 15/11/2009 at 08:01 PM14

    I don't see that war is coming any sooner, but if war is inevitable with Thailand, Cambodian friends will help her. The Burmese, Laos, and Vietnamese are Khmer allies. Finally, The Khmer Empire will be once again glorify!

  • gecko

    Discussion 13 : 15/11/2009 at 07:23 PM13

    Sunnyjim makes a valid comment about the folly of Cambodia entering into a war with Thailand. The financial consequences would be staggering. In the event of a war, the Thai/Cambodian border would be sealed and the three largest financial assets of Cambodia, tourism, textile export and gambling, would come to a screeching halt. Cambodia would have no tourism, no recreation dollars and no export markets. Essentially it would revert to an agrarian economy similar to what it had in the 1960s and 1970s. Thailand too would suffer but would be better able to weather the storm because its infrastructure, seaports and export markets would remain largely intact.

    Secondly, it would not be much of a contest. Although Cambodians and Thaksin apologists in this forum are adept at flowering rhetoric, the numbers belay their bravado. For example,
    The Cambodian Air Force has about 29 aircraft total, including 9 fighter jets and 8 helicopters. The Thai Air Force has almost 60 F-16 fighters, F-5s, and another 75 light strike aircraft. This doesn’t include another 30 transport aircraft and 20 helicopters. Bottom line, Thailand would rule the skies over Cambodia in a matter of hours.

    The Cambodian Navy has maybe 30 patrol craft of which several are river patrol boats. Total strength of the Cambodian Navy, about 2,800 people and their training is minimal. The Thai Navy has a minimum of 10 Frigates, 5 Corvettes, 9 Amphibious assault ships, 6 missile boats, 26 patrol boats, 77 river patrol boats, 15 support ships and 7 mine counter measure ships. The Thai’s also have a 20,000 strong Marine Corps and 1700 people involved in Naval Aviation. Aviation assets include helicopters and Harriers. Bottom line, Thailand would rule the seas.

    The Cambodian Army is the best equipped of their three armed services but is still no match for the Thais. They currently have about 320 main battle tanks, 90 light tanks, and 470 troop carriers. The Thais have 380 main battle tanks, 450 light tanks, and 750 troop carriers. The Thai army is 2 to 3 times the size of the Cambodian army and also includes an aviation component consisting of 180 helicopters. They are also better trained, man for man. Bottom line, the Cambodians could put up a fight but at the end of the day, they will be outgunned.

    Other factors to consider are that Thailand regularly trains with other nations including the United States, Singapore, the Philippines and Indonesia. Several of these countries use Thai bases for bombing practice so the RTG could expect at least tacit, if not overt support from these countries. The Cambodians have no such training advantages.

    So how would this unfold should Thailand and Cambodia go to war. (1) Cambodia will be defeated militarily. That’s inevitable, no matter how much Cambodians wish it to be otherwise. (2) If Thailand wins a military victory they will undoubtedly use land captured in their campaigns as a buffer zone against further aggression. Preh Vihear would be totally in Thai controlled territory, and more. (3) As the victor, Thailand will be able to set the conditions of peace. Any settlement will include the removal of Hun Sen!

    So, you see where this is leading. If Thailand and Cambodia go to war, it will no longer be Red Shirts vs. Yellow Shirts and Thaksin vs. Abhisit. It will be Thailand vs. Cambodia. Cambodia has an awful lot to loose, so it’s in their best interest to take a step back and reevaluate their position. Because like it or not, they are the runt of the litter and if they push too hard, the big dog may end up spanking them!

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