Some Thais are Too Extremists and Too Nationalists, Not Lawful Ones

via Khmer NZ

Wednesday, 28 July 2010 12:36 By Prem Prey, Phnom Penh resident

CAMBODIA, PHNOM PENH, JULY 28, 2010-Some Thais are too extremists and too nationalists in Bangkok but not lawful ones in the issues of Preah Vihear temple and land near 11th Khmer Preah Vihear temple. In 1962, the Hague court ruled Preah Vihear as Cambodians by using 1904-1907 border treaty between Siam and France. At That time, France was representative of Cambodia because French side was protectorate.

But according to the 1976 military map, which drawn by its side secretly, Thailand used it to take Cambodian soil of 4.6 square km. and Thailand called it disputed zone or Thai territory. That map create

Thailand is independent country and full of legal experts but bear in minds of invaders of other land. How you live in peace.

One more again, Thai side has a good road to Preah Vihear temple will proceed the tourists from than side easier than Cambodia to see Preah Vihear. But Thailand lost all chances and only one is normalization of diplomatic ties and pursuing the border demarcation needs to deal it to get back of that chance. Only map of treaty will be used, that is a choice and Thailand is fearful of approval of agreement of border committee that have made so far.

Border committee for two sides met many times but Thailand has never pushed the border issues with Cambodia to be approved and now Thai side asked to delay border demarcation because the internal political matters in Bangkok.

Cambodia is waiting Thai side to process normalization and border demarcation at an area near Preah Vihear and other places along border of the twos.

The face of ASEAN lost by Thai side because Thai forces invaded Cambodian territory in July 2008 and under ASEAN charter, it claimed “not using forces to invade each other,”. Thai recalled ambassador first from Cambodia. So Thailand needs to send back ambassador to Cambodia. At that time, if Thailand is strong enough, perhaps it shut down the border gates with Cambodia.

But it knew their mistake of determination of diplomatic ties with Cambodia. So it is keep border gates opening. Thailand accused Cambodia of appointing former Thaksin as economic adviser that is a move of political intervention in Bangkok. But if we look back, Thai forces invaded Cambodia sovereignty since July 2008 and appointment is late issues.

Ruling government led by PM Abhisit from Democrat party used Khmer Preah Vihear temple and border as hostage to topple former Thai PM Thaksin, a political analyst said, adding that it should have ways to deal matters between Cambodia and Thailand.

First, border issues, Thai side should process to deal border issues with border committee to measure the area and reach to plant border posts as soon as possible by using international laws like border treaty in 1904-1907. If it is delayed, no deal occurred. Thai side should not be afraid of approving border deal that agreed with Cambodia in previous meetings.

Second, development and conservation plan of Preah Vihear temple, Thai side should recognize it because Preah Vihear temple becomes property of all human beings and it is a value of humanities. Thailand will get benefits from tourists that visited the temple from Thai side.

Third, normalization of diplomatic ties, it will get more benefits for two peoples. Cambodians will be confident with Thai people in term of cooperation, investment, trade exchange. The peoples will see face each other without enemy. Former Thai Thaksin was known is far from Cambodia. He has never seen in Cambodia. And the Cambodian constitution also did not allow anyone to use its sovereignty as stronghold to oppose other countries.

Fourth, ASEAN will have good image for regional and the global stage. Last but not least, media should take this time to play an important role to pursue all sides to work without discrimination and not manipulation or wrong report of news that lead to misunderstandings and put more gas on fire.