The plague of fanaticism

Published: 6/02/2011 at 05:18 AM
Newspaper section: News

What I write for the Sunday column usually hits me around 2am Saturday morning, while standing in some god-forsaken nightclub, starring down at the bottom of a whisky bottle, trying to find the meaning to life. Whisky bottles are bottomless, I tell you, but that's neither here nor there.

Friday night in a taxi (drinking and driving is unhealthy), the driver was raving about the border clash that led to one dead Cambodian soldier, one dead Thai villager, five captured Thai rangers (despite initial reports, four were captured and later released) and several people injured.

''We should destroy them,'' he moaned. ''We are bigger and stronger, we can wipe them out,'' he groaned. ''They shot at us first,'' he blasted.

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About the author

: Writer: Voranai Vanijaka; Position: Political and Social Commentator

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certified
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Discussion 82 : 08/03/2011 at 08:47 PM82
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"The plague of fanaticism" indeed!

Let's just stand back and remember that 8 March 2001 was the day the Taliban wilfully destroyedthe Buddhas of Bamiyan.

The evil that men do lives after them - the act of these fanatics made a mockery of what purports to be "a religion of peace"!
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justin_m
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Discussion 81 : 06/03/2011 at 04:33 PM81
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Discussion 76 : 10/02/2011 at 01:48 PM76

"Voranai for Prime Minister!"

--------

Try as I might, I am unable to find the slightest hint of a flaw in the above post.
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johninbkk
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Discussion 80 : 11/02/2011 at 10:09 AM80
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spiceman D75 - Mountains have a bottom on both sides, and water flows down both sides. Either the border is at the very top of the mountain, or one country gets to keep the entire mountain range. The international standard for borders are typically rivers, but there are none in this case. That means the next standard is treaties that have been signed by both countries that officially demarcate the border. There are such treaties in place. I recommend looking at the temple using Google Earth in 3D to get an idea of how the terrain compares with the border.
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spiceman
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Discussion 79 : 11/02/2011 at 06:26 AM79
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Khun nns #78, first, I don't wish for a coup, and that the situation can be solved by the Govt fulfilling its primary constitutional duty. However, if the Govt refuses to fulfill its primary constitutional duty, what is the use of it?

Second, Cambodian border must stop somewhere, where Thai border begins, preferably, at the bottom, instead of the top of the hill, referring to international standard legal precedent. Can any countries, including Thailand, afford to have any neighboring country's border, like Cambodia's, to keep crawling forward, even climbing up the steep mountainside, against the force of gravity? For Thailand, it is all about our national security, as the dispute areas are so close to our capital. I don't care who owns the darn Hindu ruin, but the land beneath it belongs to Thailand PERIOD.
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nns
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Discussion 78 : 11/02/2011 at 12:07 AM78
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@spiceman#75,
I'd like to end my comment here with a couple of questions for you if I may:
1. Do you wish for a coup?
2. Do you honestly believe at any time in the future the Prear Vihear temple will belong to Thailand?
Thanks.
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johninbkk
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Discussion 77 : 10/02/2011 at 09:03 PM77
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spiceman D75 - It wasn't a decisive win over the French, as a treaty was signed through a 3rd party - Japan. But the military generals of Thailand built a monument anyway. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Victory_Monument,_Bangkok
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mr.o
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Discussion 76 : 10/02/2011 at 01:48 PM76
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Voranai for Prime Minister!
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spiceman
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Discussion 75 : 10/02/2011 at 01:33 PM75
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Khun nns #74, the war was won decisively by Thailand (Siam) in 1941 during the Franco-Siamese War. So, how many times do we have to refighting it? If the rumor of another Thai coup (in the making) becomes a reality, Aphisit will fall, and the real professional army men will finally be free to make a short work on Hun-Sen, then what? Preah Vihear is and will always be a lose-lose proposition for Hun-Sen ultimately. So, is it better for Hun-Sen to take advantage of Cambodian rich natural resources to develop Cambodia to improve the livelihood of average Cambodians?
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nns
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Discussion 74 : 10/02/2011 at 09:06 AM74
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@spiceman#73
'History is history, so what's the use of refighting the last war all over again?' Isn't that what the PAD and you by inference are trying to do arguing against the judgement of almost 49 years ago? What you are now doing is essentially retrying the case not in the court of law but of the (Thai) public opinion. As far as I can tell, Hun Sen did not start the Preah Vihear situation but rather simply responding and reacting to the recent offensive and allegation thrown at him and Cambodia by the PAD. As for his competency as his country's leader, it is really not for us to judge but rather his own people, is it?
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spiceman
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Discussion 73 : 10/02/2011 at 04:46 AM73
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Khun nns #71, no, not at all. The era of colonialism is over, however, except in few places like N Ireland, Tibet, and Malvinas (Falklands). However, disputes like one at Preah Vihear and Sar Gaal, need to be decided once & for all, one way or another, either peacefully or militarily. Then, let us get it over with, just like any other countries in the world. Have the Mexicans been lofting artillery shells across the US border, into California, Arizona, Texas, or New Mexico, where they believe they still belong to them? History is history, so what's the use of refighting the last war all over again?

Cambodia is rich in natural resources, large fertile land, huge fertile lake, rich & beautiful coastline full of oil & natural gas. Given a relatively small size of population, Cambodians should be one of the wealthiest people on earth. I think Hun-Sen continues to use issue at Preah Vihear, as excuses to mask off his own failure as a leader.
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