Thai-Cambodian Conflict, War Must Be Prevented

[webfact]

Thai-Cambodian Conflict, War Must Be Prevented

A war will benefit neither the Thai and Cambodian people. On the contrary, it would only bring losses, devastate the economy and severely affect our and their way of life. It does not matter whether the escalating tension between Thai-Cambodia was caused by self interests or some hidden agendas; it has not been good to the Thai-Cambodian people who are still living alongside each other.

The border disputes have always been extremely sensitive issues. History has taught us that many wars were started on insensible reasons.

Many countries have declared wars because their rulers were merely financially supported by arms companies or to protect their trade interests.

However, the ongoing dispute between Thailand and Cambodia has yet to reach the point for an open armed conflict and the negotiation option has not been fully exhausted.

Even though the conflict could still be diffused by talks, the governments of both countries could still be pressured by some groups into starting a war. It has only been about a month since the seven Thai citizens were arrested but the incident has already inflicted approximately 10 billion baht in financial damage to the cross border trade and tourism between both countries. A war would certainly bring more dire economic repercussions.

Most importantly, it would be difficult to normalize the Thai-Cambodian relationship once a war has started. Phnom Penh has reported that the Cambodian military has reinforced the border area near the disputed Preah Vihear Temple with armored vehicles and artilleries to take part in an exercise in response to the demand made by Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva that the Cambodian national flag must be removed from the area.

Meanwhile, the Thai Foreign Ministry has lodged another protest and reiterated that Cambodia has violated the sovereignty of Thailand as the area is still on the Thai territory. The ministry has also demanded all structures built by Cambodian settlers in the area to be removed.

The Thai and Cambodian people must try to avert war and keep the warmongers in check. We believe that the diplomatic and peaceful means in solving the problem have not yet been exhausted; only that they have not yet been fully explored in the past.

The Thai and Cambodian governments must stand firm on their policies. Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva has been reiterating on many occasions that the border disputes between the two countries must be managed in a peaceful way. It remains to be seen how the leadership of Thailand will be recorded in this time of crisis.

Taken from Editorial Section, Krungthep Turakij Newspaper, Page 2, February 1, 2011

Translated and Rewritten by Kongkrai Maksrivorawan

Please note that the views expressed in our "Analysis" segment are translated from local newspaper articles and do not reflect the views of the Thai-ASEAN News Network.

-- Tan Network 2011-02-01

[geovalin]

"Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva has been reiterating on many occasions that the border disputes between the two countries must be managed in a peaceful way"

But the peaceful way is only the border COMMITTEE whish is defining the border.

Border = peace.

No demarcation = war and Thailand REFUSES any demarcation.

Cambodia wants peace, Cambodia wants border. Thailand has torpedoed the Committee refusing to read the 3 years old reports of the committee.

As soon as Thailand will read and accept the reports, the committee will be able to go on and trace the border.

It's up to Abisith and the senators. At this moment, they indeed do not want to settle the dispute.

[londonthai]

the UN demarcated the border back in 1965, just follow it instead denying their decision.

the recent conflict is part of the nationalists tactic before the general election later this year (as soon as april) - instead of a coherent program for social change, they try to go back to the old politics. From their street protests it's clear, that they don't have anymore followers, just the same old faces with loads of money - it might be enought to stage yet another coup or airport occupation, but not enough to win politically through the ballot box

Edited February 1, 2011 by londonthai

[whybother]

the UN demarcated the border back in 1965, just follow it instead denying their decision.

Wasn't it in 1962 that the World Court ruled that the temple was in Cambodia? That's all. Just the temple. Not the land outside of the temple. Not the border.

I wasn't aware of the UN doing anything in 1965. (or any other time, anywhere ).

Edited February 1, 2011 by whybother

[RKASA]

the UN demarcated the border back in 1965, just follow it instead denying their decision.

Wasn't it in 1962 that the World Court ruled that the temple was in Cambodia? That's all. Just the temple. Not the land outside of the temple. Not the border.

I wasn't aware of the UN doing anything in 1965. (or any other time, anywhere ).

If a temple that old and is Cambodian then it must be on Cambodian land - maybe the real border is the next ridge to the west and the Thai's are at the wrong cliff.

[asiawatcher]

I think the whole episode is ridiculous and to bring 'national pride' into this as an excuse to go to war would be critical and paramount to bring disdain to both countries from many of the ASEAN & APEC member countries. IT would do far more damage than simply loss of life...

[Sunderland]

Bloody idiots. At least fight over some worthwhile piece of land like The Falkland Islands ... In fact why don't Thailand and Cambodia fight over some useless piece of ice floating in the Arctic or Antarctic Ocean.

[jayjay0]

We here in Thailand have the Yellow shirts activley pushing for war.

Instead of just ignoring them and getting on with the business of settling the dispute over a useless piece of land they try to make peace with them

Times like this I would like to see the army in charge but alas they are not and we will have to suffer with self serving politicians.

What I can't understand is if these yellow shirts want war so bad why are they not up there deporting Cambodians off the land. They have as much rite to do it as the army.