Political Will Missing To End Thai-Cambodian Border Row

[webfact]

EDITORIAL

Political will missing to end border row

By The Nation

Published on April 25, 2011

Bloody recent clashes make a strong case for both Thailand and Cambodia replacing armed troops on border with unarmed officials

The more one listens to it, the more it sounds like a broken record because the words seem to be repeating themselves. But that's the tale of Thai-Cambodian relations defined by the border dispute and the absence of proper guidelines for troops positioned along the overlapping territorial claims.

As expected, in the aftermath of border clashes, the two countries immediately accused one another of drawing first blood. This, of course, was followed by a harsh response in the form of diplomatic protest that sounded more and more like pool-hall language.

In this latest incident, the two days of fighting resulted in the death of 10 soldiers from both sides . The Thai Army said Cambodia had 'breached' whatever accord the two sides had agreed upon.

Thailand said Cambodia was being trigger-happy and suspected that Phnom Penh wanted to internationalise the issue for political gain. Cambodia, on the other hand, said Thailand had stepped up its military preparation towards the direction of a full-scale war, accusing the Thai military of deploying F-16 fighters deep inside their territory. Heavy artillery with "poisonous gas" was also used, the Cambodians said.

The Thai Army said only helicopters were employed and they were also called on to evacuate wounded soldiers from the area.

The truth is somewhere out there - between the nervous, poorly trained troops along the border to political leaders in both capital cities who lacked the courage to put an end to this conflict.

But the two countries can go on all day trading accusations, which won't get to the bottom of the problem. This is not to say that rules of engagement and humanitarian principles are not important. They are - and must be respected.

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva is suggesting that the clashes stemmed from the failure of the two sides to agree on standard operating procedure (SOP) on troop movement and rules of engagement. But while that may be true, the root of the problem is much more than the troops' conduct on the ground.

To begin with, the two sides should agree to pull out their troops and replace them with unarmed officials.

Too often we see civilians of both sides bare the brunt of the conflict at the receiving end of the clashes. There were also accusations that Thai soldiers were shooting at Khmer historical artefacts and sites.

Both sides always said they fired in retaliation. As in simple rules of engagement, perhaps both sides should position their military away from civilians and historical sites. At the least that would get civilians out of the picture.

Thailand needs to understand that the longer this conflict drags on, the more the country stands to lose internationally. Thailand is being seen as a big bad wolf for not coming to terms over the ownership of the ancient Hindu Temple, Preah Vihear, while the smaller Cambodia is the victim of a neighbour's internal domestic politics.

Bangkok always complains about Cambodia wanting to internationalise the issue. But like it or not, the boundary dispute between the neighbouring countries has already been internationalised, as Phnom Penh was successful in bringing it to the United Nations Security Council and later to an informal meeting of foreign ministers from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean).

Bangkok maintained that a bilateral mechanism is the only way to go. The problem is that none of the available bilateral mechanisms have begun their work, and Thailand appears to be dragging its feet by insisting on them as the only way forward. To make matters worse, the Foreign Ministry and the military are not reading from the same sheet of music, as seen in the disagreement over the facilitating role of Indonesia in its capacity as Asean's chair.

Besides the disagreement between the military and the foreign ministries, the Thai Parliament was given a chance to show it has some spine but decided to sit out for fear it would hurt members' re-election chances. If that's the attitude, perhaps they shouldn't enter public service in the first place.

-- The Nation 2011-04-25

[geovalin]

In this good article, TheNation seems to discover that unarmed officials are better than soldiers but, please, remember that Cambodia suggested that a lot of times.

Even the permanent ceasefire the Cambodian wanted had been refused by Thailand.

Thai army needs reasons to buy weaponry but the most important point is that when the border will be delimited (and Preah Vihear will be in Cambodia for sure and possibly a few more square centimeters), the game will be over, the losses will be lost for ever and this is something some people in Thailand cannot accept. The actual non-peace situation, that the Thai likes, keeps a bit of hope to get some square decimeters back.

[asiawatcher]

As the elections are near - it would appear Cambodia may be the aggressor, knowing Thailand can only retaliate and thus with Thaksin and his best mate Hun Sen in cahoots, you would think part of the plot would be paid for by guess who? And if the Govt can be shown to be weak or unwilling to settle, it improves voting chances against the Dems. I would not discount this theory as Thaksin has stooped very low in everything he does and this may all just be a matter of money and that he has enough of to gamble.

[dumball]

In this good article, TheNation seems to discover that unarmed officials are better than soldiers but, please, remember that Cambodia suggested that a lot of times.

Even the permanent ceasefire the Cambodian wanted had been refused by Thailand.

Thai army needs reasons to buy weaponry but the most important point is that when the border will be delimited (and Preah Vihear will be in Cambodia for sure and possibly a few more square centimeters), the game will be over, the losses will be lost for ever and this is something some people in Thailand cannot accept. The actual non-peace situation, that the Thai likes, keeps a bit of hope to get some square decimeters back.

I believe that both you and the nation have hit this squarely on the head , I have been trying to make this point in various threads , the problem is that even many on this forum cannot see the forest for the trees . The child like thinking of those supposedly in charge of affairs in Thailand have no true concept of what a real debate amongst themselves could achieve , the problem there is quite plain to see from the outside , not one of those who make decisions seem able to make a commitment for the people of their own country , they merely squabble amongst themselves as to whom should get what for their own personal gain .

Stop living in antiquity and come into the world that is today , right here in front of your eyes as plain as the sight of the sun , whilst you are quibbling over the crumbs , your nation is leaving the major part of the loaf for others to take advantage of in the here and now , the eventual losses to Thai will be far greater than a few square metres of scrubland .

Edited April 25, 2011 by webfact
quote fixed /Admin

[Oberkommando]

Both good, insightful posts from geovalin and dumball.

However I feel that there are a few in the Thai government that see the need for real negotiation with a third party, but they are over-ruled by the PAD sympathisers and the army.

[dumball]

'Oberkommando' timestamp='1303696957' post='4379495']

Both good, insightful posts from geovalin and dumball.

However I feel that there are a few in the Thai government that see the need for real negotiation with a third party, but they are over-ruled by the PAD sympathisers and the army.

There-in lies the true basic reality of what ails Thailand in a generalised sort of way , too many cooks spoiling the broth that becomes inedible for the masses , those in power appear to work more on individual causes as apposed to collective agreement by elected government .

Similar to a successful marriage , which they should be , a point of compatibility needs to be attained by all of the participants in all and any decision making , pigs require much larger ears for that state to be achieved I fear .

[reason1]

Have every 10th man on the front line from politicians/ the Houise that be improve their wishes for peace - if only? every conflict everywhere