Tuesday, November 10, 2009

Neighbours' spat reveals some true colours

November 11, 2009
By Tulsathit Taptim
The Nation

WE KNOW what you must be thinking. The grass was always greener on the other side, and for a man like you, whose personal comfort was getting more and more scarce, even someone named Hun Sen was worth grabbing and clinging onto. Only, when it comes to friendship and loyalty, you know better than almost anyone.

There was Chamlong Srimuang, who trusted you so much that he let you carry the torch of the Phalang Dharma Party. There was Sondhi Limthongkul, who called you the best prime minister Thailand ever had. And who can forget Newin Chidchob and those tears he cried at the start of your downfall?

In despair, it's tempting to assume that Hun Sen is a better proposition than all of the above - and maybe even Chalerm Yoobamrung, Snoh Thienthong and Chavalit Yongchaiyudh, too. But a bit of a reality check here, and you yourself will say "Wait a minute". First off, you never took a bullet meant for him. And if Hun Sen owed you a big business gratitude, so did many people in Thailand who now couldn't care less about you.

And last but not least, if we remember your no-nonsense threat to send commandos into Cambodia during the torching of the Thai Embassy a few years ago, so too must Hun Sen. If a relationship so sour can turn so good, it can definitely turn very sour again.

However, deep down you must realise that this is not about trusting Cambodia's greatest political survivor of his generation. Your risks are minuscule compared with the ones you have presented your motherland, no matter what your objective is. Cambodians can't tell Thai reds from yellows, especially if the diplomatic row becomes something worse.

Two neighbouring nations have been pitted against each other. For all your lamenting about Thailand being divided and your clamouring for reconciliation, how can this stand-off possibly help? What can you achieve by making one half of the country mistrust Cambodia and the other half feel closer to Phnom Penh more than their own compatriots?

You are re-representing yourself to the Thai people. To those who have doubted you, their scepticism must have climbed to a new level. As for your admirers, some may be cheering your latest stunt, but others must be somewhat confused. You claim to be seeking justice for the Thai people and not for yourself, but your popularity has dropped probably because many Thais think they are seeing otherwise. They fear you may be doing this for yourself and are using your country's relations with a neighbour as your stake.

Times Online may have distorted your views on the monarchy a little, but look who's the bigger liar here. You told the news website that you want to see peace in Thailand, and implored His Majesty the King to intervene. You said you hoped your supporters' petition would be heeded, as the monarch was the only person who could end this conflict.

Are you making it easy for the King to pardon you? You are flying a private jet, have been made Cambodia's economic adviser, and discredit Thailand on a daily basis to begin with. The Royal Palace can overlook these things, but it will be hard to turn a blind eye to your dangerous gambling with national honour and sovereignty.

If this is a way to fight "injustice", you don't know anything about justice. Hun Sen's guesthouse, his wife's tears and a warm welcome in Phnom Penh can't overturn a "guilty" verdict. At best, they mean the Thai political crisis has spilled over and more innocent people will have to brace themselves for the consequences. It may seem fair to you, but it's unfair to Thailand.

How much further will you go? Three former Thai prime minsiters - you, Somchai Wongswat and Chavalit Yongchaiyudh - have shown up in Phnom Penh to look up to Somdej Hun Sen as the last resort. What if Hun Sen's neutralised political rivals came to Thailand and sought our help? Would you encourage us to give them "justice"?

Having said that, Cambodians probably won't come unless they are fleeing war or armed suppression. If they cheat on taxes or make illegal purchases of state properties, maybe they will be too dignified to live in a state guesthouse and lecture the Thai Chamber of Commerce on how to best do businesses.

As always, you have taken something ideal and tried to represent it. First it was "democracy" and now it's "justice". However, both words, in their truest essences, are associated with two important things that seem lacking in the ongoing saga with Phnom Penh: Honour and dignity.

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