Panlop: Row could escalate to war

Published: 1/12/2009

(Posted by CAAI News Media)

The diplomatic dispute between Thailand and Cambodia could escalate to war if the government fails to take action to ease the tension, Gen Panlop Pinmanee, former deputy director of Internal Security Operations Command (Isoc) and a member of the opposition Puea Thai Party, said on Tuesday.

Gen Panlop said the latest criticism of Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and Foreign Affairs Minister Kasit Piromya by Cambodian prime minister Hun Sen clearly shows that Phnom Penh was not happy with the premier, Mr Kasit and the Democrat Party.

“The critical rift between the two countries stems from Mr Kasit, who took the stage at an antigovernment rally by the People’s Alliance for Democracy and strongly criticised Hun Sen late last year,'' he said.

“The government should not have had quarreled with our neighbour. Now it's up to Mr Abhisit to find ways to quickly end the dispute.

“If the premier takes no action and lets the diplomatic row continue, there could be a war between Thailand and Cambodia,” Gen Panlop said.