Time For Thailand To Deal With Hun Sen Based On His True Colours

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SIDELINES

Time to deal with Hun Sen based on his true colours

By Sopon Onkgara

The Nation

How long can Thailand and the Thai people tolerate Cambodian leader Hun Sen for his unpredictable but always hostile stance towards us? It has never changed, in all his years in power.

This question deserves a prompt response from the Thai government as well as our armed forces, now that we know so much about Hun Sen's intentional encroachment on our land and sea territories.

Latest reports say that the Cambodians have moved their border markers up to 25 kilometres inside our territory in some areas. If there is no resistance, Thailand stands to lose huge patches of land in areas along the 900-kilometre joint border.

Hun Sen's open hostility towards Thailand has long been known, and was especially evident during a Phnom Penh riot which saw the burning of the Thai Embassy and Thai businesses in the Cambodian capital. This happened when Thaksin Shinawatra was prime minister.

No punishment or retaliation was deemed necessary. No lesson was given to Hun Sen. On the contrary, the government at that time doled out a sweetheart loan to Hun Sen for his government to pay compensation to Thai businesses. Chiefly and first among the recipients were businesses owned by Thaksin's family.

For years, Hun Sen has extracted wealth from Thailand by various means. He allows the opening of casinos along the border, mainly to lure Thai gamblers, making them a main source of revenue for himself, with meagre amounts filtering into the national coffers.

Hun Sen is a fearsome overlord who has decided on life and death for Cambodians during his reign. He is a fake nationalist who exploits us to ensure his own longevity in power. Thailand has been picked as a scapegoat and a target in his battle cry for patriotism. He works Cambodians into a frenzy over many issues related to Thailand, and he regards Thailand as a long-standing enemy. He forgets the fact that tens of thousands of Cambodians are living in Thailand as labourers and beggars, not to mention the hordes of thieves and smugglers in the border areas.

Who is to blame for this ridiculous state of affairs? Mainly the Thai government, of course, for its soft-handed approach to bilateral diplomacy just to please the big bully in Phnom Penh. Thailand has for years regarded itself as the big brother who has to put up with the brat younger brother. This has become very costly, solely at our expense.

Firstly, we are losing land and maritime territories, and proven petroleum deposits in the joint development areas. Secondly, we are losing land surrounding the ancient Preah Vihear temple overlooking Cambodia. There is no proper resistance to this, and we stand to lose forever a possible claim to the ancient ruins, which are registered as a Unesco World Heritage site due to Hun Sen's scheming and lobbying. Thirdly, we are losing land along other the borderareas, which will enable Cambodia to claim more areas for its own benefit.

Other hostile acts are going on. By appointing Thaksin as an adviser, Hun Sen also provides refuge to key red-shirt leaders who have fled across the border, enjoying their days in casinos and resorts, away from Thai prisons. Not only are these safe havens, the red shirts are providing training for armed militias to start another terror campaign once the emergency decree has been lifted by the Thai government and the red shirts are allowed to regroup for renewed rallies.

As a token, two-faced gesture, Hun Sen has agreed to send back two small fry who are accused of masterminding a bomb blast at the Bhum Jai Thai Party headquarters in Bangkok. The big fish, sought under Thai arrest warrants, remain untouched.

Should we feign ignorance towards Hun Sen's sabre-rattling? He is surely a snake in the grass for Thailand, always seeking to gain ground when we have problems. His sheltering of Thaksin's band of terrorists and saboteurs deserves our forceful and meaningful retaliation. Hun Sen only understands this kind of action. If we continue to be seen as a wimp, we only stand to lose more to the bully in Phnom Penh - with the blessings of Thaksin and his cronies.

Let Hun Sen choose whether he wants friendship or hostility, and be clear about it, so that we can respond accordingly and do away with his two-faced diplomacy.

-- The Nation 2010-07-06

[TallForeigner]

Wow! What a piece of dangerous ultranationalist yellow garbage and hate-mongering. Yesterday they just praised Cambodia for extraditing two red shirts and today this.

...How long can Thailand and the Thai people tolerate Cambodian leader Hun Sen for his unpredictable but always hostile stance towards us?...

...He is surely a snake in the grass for Thailand, always seeking to gain ground when we have problems. His sheltering of Thaksin's band of terrorists and saboteurs deserves our forceful and meaningful retaliation. Hun Sen only understands this kind of action....

Let Hun Sen choose whether he wants friendship or hostility, and be clear about it, so that we can respond accordingly and do away with his two-faced diplomacy.

Isn't that a direct call for violence?

The emergency laws provide for the closing down of media that disseminate distorted information, divisive propaganda and calls for violence. Yesterday Col Sansern said that important reasons for keeping the emergency laws were the distortion of information and the use of mob psychology in the provinces... Based on that kind of reasoning and without double standards "The Nation" must be closed down with immediate effect.

Edited July 6, 2010 by TallForeigner

[noel2499rk]

No one should be surprised by Sopon Onkgara bloodthirsty warmongering, if you can remember his article during the protests calling for "operation payback"

Sopon's operation payback

Articles like this are extremely dangerous. I am sure there are right wing warmongers in Cambodia as well and this article plays right into their hands, providing an excellent propaganda tool for those in Cambodia hoping for war as well.

Sopon must realize that the Thai army is more of a large scale business enterprise than an army for fighting international wars, Thai Generals are expert business men but what do they know of jungle based military maneuvers. They would be facing a Cambodian force that apart from the last ten or so years has been engaged in a almost continous cycle of jungle warfare.

Hun Sen also provides refuge to key red-shirt leaders who have fled across the border, enjoying their days in casinos and resorts, away from Thai prisons. Not only are these safe havens, the red shirts are providing training for armed militias to start another terror campaign once the emergency decree has been lifted by the Thai government and the red shirts are allowed to regroup for renewed rallies.

What about the Thai government providing refuge and financing to the Khmer Rouge in the 1980's, turning what should have been a swift victory for the vietnamese into a fifteen year civil war ending only in 1997.

If Sopon gets his way and their is a war I hope he will volunteer to be first over the top.

Edited July 6, 2010 by noel2499rk

[rabo]

Wow! What a piece of dangerous ultranationalist yellow garbage and hate-mongering. Yesterday they just praised Cambodia for extraditing two red shirts and today this.

...How long can Thailand and the Thai people tolerate Cambodian leader Hun Sen for his unpredictable but always hostile stance towards us?...

...He is surely a snake in the grass for Thailand, always seeking to gain ground when we have problems. His sheltering of Thaksin's band of terrorists and saboteurs deserves our forceful and meaningful retaliation. Hun Sen only understands this kind of action....

Let Hun Sen choose whether he wants friendship or hostility, and be clear about it, so that we can respond accordingly and do away with his two-faced diplomacy.

Isn't that a direct call for violence?

The emergency laws provide for the closing down of media that disseminate distorted information, divisive propaganda and calls for violence. Yesterday Col Sansern said that important reasons for keeping the emergency laws were the distortion of information and the use of mob psychology in the provinces... Based on that kind of reasoning and without double standards "The Nation" must be closed down with immediate effect.

The basic premis of the article is however correct. History has a long line of dictators and despots that used other nations, people, religions, etc, to justify their own despotic power. There is no easier way to hide one's own criminal activities and control people than teaching them to hate something else. After April and May of this year, this should sound very familiar.

Perhaps that's why Mr. Thaksin and his Cambodian counterpart get along so well.

Edited July 6, 2010 by rabo

[dumball]

This diatribe contains a lot of misinformation and hyperbole , calling for war at this time would be a huge mistake with all of the unrest ongoing between Thai nationals , war wins nothing in the long run and the author needs to be reminded that the Thai army has finished up running away from conflict , how many wars have they succeeded in winning ? They have found it extremely difficult to control even a small mob of protesters and a few thousand extremists ON THEIR OWN TERRITORY , go figure .

[LomSak27]

Just another day, and The Nations needs to distract, need to get some people angry, needs to redirect their attention. Of course if the people get all crazy and then there is another riot in PP, burning Thai property I sure Mr Sopon and the Nation will be the last one's to admit responsibility.

Yawn

[TallForeigner]

@Rabo

There is no easier way to hide one's own criminal activities and control people than teaching them to hate something else.

You are referring to the coupmakers of 2006, their yellow supporters like the editor of the article above and forces in power in Thailand at present, right?

Edited July 6, 2010 by TallForeigner

[Rucharee]

Hun Sen is now Mark's best friend.

He even hand back from criminals to Mark!

What a surprise.

It must be the charm of our dear leader.

[geovalin]

Is this dangerous text dictated by M Abhisit?

The only thing Cambodia wants is to make the border clear to allow more tourism and business. Cambodians want PEACE.

Cambodia does not request anything.

Cambodia is happy with the current borders.

Who is making troubles since 2 years? Some crazy Thais: yellow shirted, current government, "The Nation", some members of the army.

Reasons:

- Nationalism (some Thai people look sincere when they want to take back some parts of the Cambodian territory).

- Non-peace which means need to purchase weaponry.

- A war with a foreign country would unify Thai population.

[Rucharee]

Is this dangerous text dictated by M Abhisit?

The only thing Cambodia wants is to make the border clear to allow more tourism and business. Cambodians want PEACE.

Cambodia does not request anything.

Cambodia is happy with the current borders.

Who is making troubles since 2 years? Some crazy Thais: yellow shirted, current government, "The Nation", some members of the army.

Reasons:

- Nationalism (some Thai people look sincere when they want to take back some parts of the Cambodian territory).

- Non-peace which means need to purchase weaponry.

- A war with a foreign country would unify Thai population.

Nationalism?

It is not a crime to love your own country.

Maybe you should try it once a while.

[Hyponeros]

Great! call for hate and war in the "peaceful" Thailand!

Do they need to hide that nothing is going to change after 2 months of fighting?

Hitler used the Jews, The Nation uses Cambodia!

[geovalin]

Is this dangerous text dictated by M Abhisit?

The only thing Cambodia wants is to make the border clear to allow more tourism and business. Cambodians want PEACE.

Cambodia does not request anything.

Cambodia is happy with the current borders.

Who is making troubles since 2 years? Some crazy Thais: yellow shirted, current government, "The Nation", some members of the army.

Reasons:

- Nationalism (some Thai people look sincere when they want to take back some parts of the Cambodian territory).

- Non-peace which means need to purchase weaponry.

- A war with a foreign country would unify Thai population.

Nationalism?

It is not a crime to love your own country.

Maybe you should try it once a while.

Please do not insult me.

I do not insult you.

Every one loves his country. I do.

Thai people who love Thailand want fair frontiers with neighbor countries + peace.

If alike, Yellow Shirts / Nation / etc., you want war with Cambodia, you hate Thailand.

To love a country is NOT to hate the other ones. It's even the opposite: the more you like the other countries, the more you love your country.

When someone hates the other countries it's often because he's upset by his own country.

[rkidlad]

"This question deserves a prompt response from the Thai government as well as our armed forces, now that we know so much about Hun Sen's intentional encroachment on <STRONG><U>our</U></STRONG> land and sea territories."<BR><BR>Reminds me of the kind of bulls*** reporting you'd read in the British 'The Sun' newspaper.<BR><BR>Nationalism?  What's wrong with loving your country?  Nothing wrong with loving your country.  But you don't have to show how much you love it by hating other countries.<BR><BR>

[xminator]

Is this dangerous text dictated by M Abhisit?

The only thing Cambodia wants is to make the border clear to allow more tourism and business. Cambodians want PEACE.

Cambodia does not request anything.

Cambodia is happy with the current borders.

Who is making troubles since 2 years? Some crazy Thais: yellow shirted, current government, "The Nation", some members of the army.

Reasons:

- Nationalism (some Thai people look sincere when they want to take back some parts of the Cambodian territory).

- Non-peace which means need to purchase weaponry.

- A war with a foreign country would unify Thai population.

Nationalism?

It is not a crime to love your own country.

Maybe you should try it once a while.

Read european history.

[bangkokburning]

This is indeed a red meat issue for the yellows. The local people in his area who live on commerce and tourism are quite OK with the status quo. Thailand, in one of its typical spoiled tantrums is not happy with half the Preah Vihear pie, it wants all of it.

Let us also not forget that every temple in Thailand >300yrs old, is almost without exception is Khmer in ethnicity and origin -as is Preah Vihear.

That Cambodia once laid claim to most of what is now known as the modern nation of Thailand.

"Latest reports say that the Cambodians have moved their border markers up to 25 kilometres inside our territory in some areas."

How thoroughly irresponsible, does anyone think for a moment that Thailand has ceded this vast territory to Cambodia? What folly!

Edited July 6, 2010 by bangkokburning

[Valentine]

This is indeed a red meat issue for the yellows. The local people in his area who live on commerce and tourism are quite OK with the status quo. Thailand, in one of its typical spoiled tantrums is not happy with half the Preah Vihear pie, it wants all of it.

"Latest reports say that the Cambodians have moved their border markers up to 25 kilometres inside our territory in some areas."

How thoroughly irresponsible, does anyone think for a moment that Thailand has ceded this vast territory to Cambodia? What folly!

Yes it does sound like utter rubbish or at the very least extremely bad reporting which is quite the norm.

[Thai at Heart]

What on earth is a piece like this trying to achieve? This is the sort of rhetoric one expects in a Palestinian or Israeli newspaper.

Khun Sompon obviously will be secluded in Bangkok if Thailand and Cambodia ever come to blows.

Just for reference, here is one his other pieces about Cambodia.

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2009/12/22/opinion/opinion_30118917.php

This is more than just a simple patriot game. For the first time in Thailand's history, we are witnessing anti-government elements declaring publicly that they intend to topple the state and revered institutions. They do not even wince when branded as traitors.

And a question raised on nationblogs

http://blog.nationmultimedia.com/print.php?id=12525

Now, this might all have been publicly declared, but Sopon has cited not a single public source for these fairly serious assertions of alarming public declarations. That is a serious journalistic lapse: the charges are grave, and not the sort of emotionally charged accusations to throw around without some fairly solid evidence. Perhaps I've been missing some headlines lately, but I have not seen any such public declaration by Taksin, or his supporters, these past few days. Have I completely missed something? What? Sopon has done nothing to enlighten me. Had such a public declaration been made, I would have expected it to have made the local headlines.

And tell Sopon that responsible journalism, as opposed to gutter press sensationalism, requires the citing of sources. The more grave the assertions, the greater the need to provide the evidence to back them up.

[noel2499rk]

War crime prosecutors in the former Yugoslavia are looking into prosecuting the media for inciting war crimes during the crisis of the 90's. Sopon beware.

"The War Crimes Prosecutor Vladimir Vukčević has announced that soon will be published a report on media role in Serbia during the 90’s."

"As Vukčević explained, the Prosecution for War Crimes, in the second half of the last year, sent a letter to all media houses that were accused for alleged instigation of the war crimes."

warmongering in Serbian press

[asiawatcher]

Since when is The Nation or its journalists involved in inciting retaliatory actions against Thailand's neighbours Khun Sopon Onkgara? As a journalist you should hang up your poison pen and step out. Let the Government handle the situation. Hun Sen will not be around forever but this sort of journalism is BS.

[Ned]

Beloved Thais. Stop your squabbling. Don't you see that Hun Sen (who incidentally has swine flu, according to the International Herald Tribune)is a Thaksin lackey?! God's speed to the border!! Unite and fight the common foe!!!

Save our land!!

[Foggy Bottom]

Let us also not forget that every temple in Thailand >300yrs old, is almost without exception is Khmer in ethnicity and origin -as is Preah Vihear.

That Cambodia once laid claim to most of what is now known as the modern nation of Thailand.

Never been any further north than Don Muang have you? Stopped reading when you got to the bits about the 12th Century AD?

Don't spout twaddle unless using the tongue in cheek smiley alongside it.

[kuffki]

Thailand has always had the ability to talk, but does Thailand have the "balls" to act?

I really do not think so.

1 very important thing to keep in mind that Thai military is way over fed, over "generalled" and has not been to any real war for over 100 years, while Cambodia has been in war or part of it for half of the century.

Not to mention that during BKK riots, just civilians were able to take away weapons from the soldiers, so what would be the outcome if Thai soldiers are confronted by Cambodian soldiers?

Perhaps Thai Government need to find a soft spot with Hun Sen, as you catch more fly's with honey.

[landofthefree]

Is this dangerous text dictated by M Abhisit?

The only thing Cambodia wants is to make the border clear to allow more tourism and business. Cambodians want PEACE.

Cambodia does not request anything.

Cambodia is happy with the current borders.

Who is making troubles since 2 years? Some crazy Thais: yellow shirted, current government, "The Nation", some members of the army.

Reasons:

- Nationalism (some Thai people look sincere when they want to take back some parts of the Cambodian territory).

- Non-peace which means need to purchase weaponry.

- A war with a foreign country would unify Thai population.

Nationalism?

It is not a crime to love your own country.

Maybe you should try it once a while.

Are you Cambodian?

[KhunAussie52]

Thailand has always had the ability to talk, but does Thailand have the "balls" to act?

I really do not think so.

1 very important thing to keep in mind that Thai military is way over fed, over "generalled" and has not been to any real war for over 100 years, while Cambodia has been in war or part of it for half of the century.

Not to mention that during BKK riots, just civilians were able to take away weapons from the soldiers, so what would be the outcome if Thai soldiers are confronted by Cambodian soldiers?

Perhaps Thai Government need to find a soft spot with Hun Sen, as you catch more fly's with honey.

" has not been to any real war for over 100 years"

You might be interested to know,that Thai forces fought the Japanese for a number of days before they were ordered to lay down there arms. At an airfield in the South, Four battalions of Japanese regulars tried unsuccessfully for 3 days, to take there objective.......Japanese casualties 230 (KIA)...........Thai air force.........38 casualties (KIA).......!!!

They also served in Vietnam,mostly artillery support ......!!!!

Edited July 6, 2010 by KhunAussie52

[kuffki]

Thailand has always had the ability to talk, but does Thailand have the "balls" to act?

I really do not think so.

1 very important thing to keep in mind that Thai military is way over fed, over "generalled" and has not been to any real war for over 100 years, while Cambodia has been in war or part of it for half of the century.

Not to mention that during BKK riots, just civilians were able to take away weapons from the soldiers, so what would be the outcome if Thai soldiers are confronted by Cambodian soldiers?

Perhaps Thai Government need to find a soft spot with Hun Sen, as you catch more fly's with honey.

" has not been to any real war for over 100 years"

You might be interested to know,that Thai forces fought the Japanese for a number of days before they were ordered to lay down there arms. At an airfield in the South, two battalions of Japanese regulars tried unsuccessfully for 3 days to to take there objective.......Japanese casualties 230 (KIA)...........Thai air force.........38 casualties (KIA).......!!!

Hmmm thats interesting, because according to history, Thailand was going to join with Hitler but was warned by USA

Could you please provide a link to where its written about the battle and what took place?

As strangely enough, when asking a Thai about WW2, they do not seem to have any idea

Edited July 6, 2010 by kuffki

[AyG]

Let us also not forget that every temple in Thailand >300yrs old, is almost without exception is Khmer in ethnicity and origin -as is Preah Vihear.

That is just wrong. The Ayutthaya kingdom from 1351 to 1767 was not Khmer but Thai and produced hundreds of temples which were not Khmer.

How exactly did you become so ignorant?

[Johpa]

Perhaps that's why Mr. Thaksin and his Cambodian counterpart get along so well.

Maybe I am just getting some facts confused as I am getting a bit older and now see, within my own lifespan, history repeating itself, but did not Mr. Thaksin play a role in placing Mr. Hun Sen into power, an act rewarded by the granting of a telecommunications license to Mr. Thaksin's company by Mr. Hun Sen?

[KhunAussie52]

Thailand has always had the ability to talk, but does Thailand have the "balls" to act?

I really do not think so.

1 very important thing to keep in mind that Thai military is way over fed, over "generalled" and has not been to any real war for over 100 years, while Cambodia has been in war or part of it for half of the century.

Not to mention that during BKK riots, just civilians were able to take away weapons from the soldiers, so what would be the outcome if Thai soldiers are confronted by Cambodian soldiers?

Perhaps Thai Government need to find a soft spot with Hun Sen, as you catch more fly's with honey.

" has not been to any real war for over 100 years"

You might be interested to know,that Thai forces fought the Japanese for a number of days before they were ordered to lay down there arms. At an airfield in the South, two battalions of Japanese regulars tried unsuccessfully for 3 days to to take there objective.......Japanese casualties 230 (KIA)...........Thai air force.........38 casualties (KIA).......!!!

Hmmm thats interesting, because according to history, Thailand was going to join with Hitler but was warned by USA

Could you please provide a link to where its written about the battle and what took place?

As strangely enough, when asking a Thai about WW2, they do not seem to have any idea

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Prachuab_Khirikhan

I have located the site,my figures were out a little................ 38 dead and 27 wounded,Thai forces.................Japanese losses were put at 217 dead and more than 300 wounded.

[KhunAussie52]

Thailand has always had the ability to talk, but does Thailand have the "balls" to act?

I really do not think so.

1 very important thing to keep in mind that Thai military is way over fed, over "generalled" and has not been to any real war for over 100 years, while Cambodia has been in war or part of it for half of the century.

Not to mention that during BKK riots, just civilians were able to take away weapons from the soldiers, so what would be the outcome if Thai soldiers are confronted by Cambodian soldiers?

Perhaps Thai Government need to find a soft spot with Hun Sen, as you catch more fly's with honey.

" has not been to any real war for over 100 years"

You might be interested to know,that Thai forces fought the Japanese for a number of days before they were ordered to lay down there arms. At an airfield in the South, two battalions of Japanese regulars tried unsuccessfully for 3 days to to take there objective.......Japanese casualties 230 (KIA)...........Thai air force.........38 casualties (KIA).......!!!

Hmmm thats interesting, because according to history, Thailand was going to join with Hitler but was warned by USA

Could you please provide a link to where its written about the battle and what took place?

As strangely enough, when asking a Thai about WW2, they do not seem to have any idea

http://en.wikipedia....chuab_Khirikhan

I have located the site,my figures were out a little................ 38 dead and 27 wounded,Thai forces.................Japanese losses were put at 217 dead and more than 300 wounded.

The Thai ambassador to the USA,refused to deliver a declaration of war,from his government.By the end of the war......some 50000 Thai freedom fighters had been harassing the Japanese.they were armed by the US.Some US based Thais also infiltrated the Japanese and passed on useful information to the allies.

When you read the transcripts of the battle.one, is surprised at the ferocity of the conflict and the bravery of Thai pilots and ground crew.

55th Division

• 55th Infantry Brigade Group
  • 112th Infantry Regiment
  • 143th Infantry Regiment
  • 144th Infantry Regiment

  [*]55th Cavalry Regiment[*]55th Mountain Artillery Regiment

  • 3 battalions of 9 X 75mm Mountain guns each

  [*]55th Engineer Regiment[*]55th Transport Regiment

1941 - 1942 Lieutenant-General Hiroshi Takeuchi, Thailand-Burma

Edited July 6, 2010 by KhunAussie52

[kuffki]

Thailand has always had the ability to talk, but does Thailand have the "balls" to act?

I really do not think so.

1 very important thing to keep in mind that Thai military is way over fed, over "generalled" and has not been to any real war for over 100 years, while Cambodia has been in war or part of it for half of the century.

Not to mention that during BKK riots, just civilians were able to take away weapons from the soldiers, so what would be the outcome if Thai soldiers are confronted by Cambodian soldiers?

Perhaps Thai Government need to find a soft spot with Hun Sen, as you catch more fly's with honey.

" has not been to any real war for over 100 years"

You might be interested to know,that Thai forces fought the Japanese for a number of days before they were ordered to lay down there arms. At an airfield in the South, two battalions of Japanese regulars tried unsuccessfully for 3 days to to take there objective.......Japanese casualties 230 (KIA)...........Thai air force.........38 casualties (KIA).......!!!

Hmmm thats interesting, because according to history, Thailand was going to join with Hitler but was warned by USA

Could you please provide a link to where its written about the battle and what took place?

As strangely enough, when asking a Thai about WW2, they do not seem to have any idea

http://en.wikipedia....chuab_Khirikhan

I have located the site,my figures were out a little................ 38 dead and 27 wounded,Thai forces.................Japanese losses were put at 217 dead and more than 300 wounded.

Thanks for that, did not know this information.

But that battle, i do not think could be called a real war comparing to Cambodia.

Also i guess things in Thai Military have changed since those days.