Challenge To Correct Bungled Foreign Policy; Thai Opinion

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BURNING ISSUE

Challenge to correct bungled foreign policy

By Supalak Ganjanakhundee

The Nation

A major lesson the new government can learn from outgoing Abhisit Vejjajiva and his crew over their foreign-policy and diplomacy mistakes is how to achieve a balance and separate domestic politics from foreign affairs.

Abhisit's government was wrong since day one in office when it mixed political interest with foreign policy and employed all resources to hunt for his enemy, ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra. The search eventually damaged everything around it, including relations with many countries Thaksin had set foot in.

Abhisit spent nearly all of Thailand's international credit accumulated for years by previous governments to persuade many countries to block and ban Thaksin from entering their territories.

To stop his travelling, the Foreign Ministry revoked all of Thaksin's Thai passports. The measure later backfired when Thai authorities could not trace his travel documents as he adopted many other foreign passports in different names. That was the legal loophole and excuse for officials not to cooperate with the government in hunting him, for the simple reason they could not identify the man called Thaksin and locate his residence any more.

Furthermore, the enforcement of a policy to hunt Thaksin was discrimination that really damaged Thailand's international credibility. Abhisit's government employed fierce and tough action and reaction against some countries that welcomed Thaksin, but was very lenient to many where Thaksin stayed or even lived.

Abhisit downgraded relations with Cambodia as soon as it learned that Thaksin had been appointed economic adviser to the Cambodian government and to Prime Minister Hun Sen. The Thai Foreign Ministry under Abhisit, however, did nothing in the case of the United Arab Emirates, Russia and even recently Brunei when it became clear Thaksin lived or appeared in those countries.

In the case of Cambodia, Abhisit and his crew lost their common sense in handling relations and balancing pressure from nationalists as ties with Phnom Penh became linked with the Thaksin move.

Abhisit and the nationalists accused Thaksin and his government associates - under late prime minister Samak Sundaravej - of supporting Cambodia to list the Hindu temple of Preah Vihear as a World Heritage Site in exchange for business interests based on natural resources in the Gulf of Thailand. The outgoing government, from its day until its last day in office, has been unable to prove the allegation - but the relationship has already been damaged.

Many relations have gone far beyond repair as the two countries faced off in the International Court of Justice over Preah Vihear. If the new government is unable to persuade Cambodia to withdraw the case from the ICJ, the two countries must continue their court fight to the end - and that might end up with the loss of territory where Thailand has claimed its sovereignty. Nobody in the outgoing Cabinet seems ready to take any responsibility should Thailand lose the case.

The new government promises to be on good terms with Thaksin when his younger sister Yingluck Shinawatra likely takes the premiership, but Thaksin's case is still far from over. The close relations with Thaksin are an irony and a problem as Abhisit and all Thaksin's enemies will not ease their pressure on the new government to bring him to justice.

The fact that Abhisit and his crew failed over the past years to bring him back will not be a good excuse for the new government to ignore the issue, since Thaksin's enemies will not give up. Their pressure will put the government in a difficult position as it directs its foreign policy towards countries where Thaksin goes and lives.

The new prime minister needs to select the right person to head the Foreign Ministry, a professional with enough ability to balance domestic politics and foreign affairs. Otherwise, the hope of restoring Thailand's credibility and role in the international community will be abortive.

-- The Nation 2011-08-03

[backtonormal]

Two and a half years where a foreign policy only entails chasing one man. Quite pathetic really. Now Thaksin gets invited to Japan and I think Germany, was he only ever out of favour in Thailand. Foreign governments are aware who is the power broker in Thailand so now they want to court him. Can anybody think of anything the Dems did right ummmmm.

[Thaddeus]

[pisico]

Two and a half years where a foreign policy only entails chasing one man. Quite pathetic really. Now Thaksin gets invited to Japan and I think Germany, was he only ever out of favour in Thailand. Foreign governments are aware who is the power broker in Thailand so now they want to court him. Can anybody think of anything the Dems did right ummmmm.

Define what is right.

The Dems did everything right for the elite in Bangkok, for themselves and the military.

Now, was it right for the foreign policy of the country? Were the policies and laws enacted for the benefit of all in Thailand, not just the micro-cosmos of Bangkok?

Were the rifts with Cambodia a distraction from the actual dealings in government that affected all (not just the 1/6 of the country in Bangkok) in Thailand?

As the writer of the OP indicates, to demonize Cambodia over the appointment of Thaksin as an adviser to Hun Sen showed immaturity and poor brinkmanship on the part of Abhisit's government.

It appears that the Dems were acting out of spite, under the pressure of some "hidden hand" or simply sheer ineptitude.

In hindsight looks like the Dems did everything right not to garner the favor of the Thai people in the provinces and some of the South.

Of course the rabid deniers of facts will continue asserting that the PTP won due to corruption, etc. Those who repeat the same mistakes of the past can only expect to see the same results.

Dems should reflect, nurse their bruised egos and not be quick to condemn those who do not agree with their fantasy land ideas of the world.

Then again, we will see the "usual suspects" who will take one phrase or two out of context and elaborate their rebuttals based on what only exists in their jumbled minds.

[OzMick]

They deported Victor Bout - certainly didn't hurt relations with the US, though the Russians weren't amused. SNN!

Relations with the UK seem to be OK, but that may change if persona non grata has his way.

Nigeria still sends their "tourists" with their great deals.

Calling Hun Sen a thug wasn't diplomatic. Accurate, but not diplomatic. OTOH Hun Sen has been quite provocative, IMHO another of Thaksin's ploys to destabilise the past government.

Relations with Moldova are.......................are there any?

BTW I have a solution to the Prea Vihear problem. i doubt that too many Thais are too attached to a mouldy old Hindu temple, it is the map rort that incites them. So pull the place apart and re-assemble it on the other side of the ridge. Cambodia gets their temple and Thais get to keep their land.

Too simple! (the plan or me?)

[hammered]

It would be almost impossible to have a worse foreign policy than the last lot. They made Thailand look silly with their obsession over Thaksin, and ended up being far too confrontational to achieve their ends in other areas. In retrospect Kasit was a disasterous choice too as he was always going to be blinded by domestic political issues that he felt strongly over and was extremely partisan about. A more neutral choice would have been better. It seems PTP have learnt form the Dems mistakes and arent going to appoint an uber-red. Just concentrating on issues of import to the country will be a massive improvment. Im sure they'll have no problem forgetting about pursuing Thaksin around the globe as number one issue.

[animatic]

The internal politics screwed up the external politics more than the other way round... More likely they need to get the house in order... tall order

Of course outgoing foreign policy people in most nations are always judged by their 'loudly trumpeted by the opposition' failures, and rarely for the successes, that most don't see or here of, but the opposition also never speak of.

Edited August 3, 2011 by animatic

[hammered]

The internal politics screwed up the external politics more than the other way round... More likely they need to get the house in order... tall order

I think just in style, someone not as temptestuous as Kasit alone will improve relations with a lot. The two names being bandied around seem to be solid choices. The other aspect is that obviosuly they wont be talking to other countries about Thaksin, and that in itself will relax foreign players as no country really likes to get involved in sidetaking in an internal political battle that could go either way, so there will be sighs of relief there too.

Kasit in short is a great act to be following. You would have to pretty much morph into Mussolini on speed to be any worse.

[DP25]

There is no foreign policy to correct. There no more reason for Cambodia to instigate conflict. The conflict successfully split the PAD from the Democrats before the election. Now they can proceed with dividing up the natural resources from the gulf

[rixalex]

It would be almost impossible to have a worse foreign policy than the last lot. They made Thailand look silly with their obsession over Thaksin, and ended up being far too confrontational to achieve their ends in other areas. In retrospect Kasit was a disasterous choice too as he was always going to be blinded by domestic political issues that he felt strongly over and was extremely partisan about. A more neutral choice would have been better. It seems PTP have learnt form the Dems mistakes and arent going to appoint an uber-red. Just concentrating on issues of import to the country will be a massive improvment. Im sure they'll have no problem forgetting about pursuing Thaksin around the globe as number one issue.

Im sure they'll have no problem forgetting about pursuing Thaksin around the globe as number one issue.

Well of course not. Their problem will be forgetting about bringing him back all nicely white-washed and clean, as number one issue. Will they succeed? Have my doubts. We'll see.

It's all very well lambasting the outgoing government for spending a lot of its time chasing after Thaksin, but i wonder how many governments, put in the same circumstances, would do any different?

Imagine it. Obama gets impeached for breaking the law, gets convicted, and goes on the run. He then starts organising violent protests from afar on the streets of America with the intention of trying to force the new government into toppling (now before anyone says it, i am aware that the details in this example are not exactly the same as what Thailand faced, but the principles are the same). In these circumstances, how would an American government react? And bear in mind how they have spent the last several years dealing with Obama.

I just think it is unfair to blame the Dems so harshly for the way they tried to deal with Thaksin - i don't think they had much choice. I also think it a bit rich to be rushing to praise the PT party for not getting bogged down in dealing with a problem that they themselves instigated.

[animatic]

The internal politics screwed up the external politics more than the other way round... More likely they need to get the house in order... tall order

I think just in style, someone not as temptestuous as Kasit alone will improve relations with a lot. The two names being bandied around seem to be solid choices. The other aspect is that obviosuly they wont be talking to other countries about Thaksin, and that in itself will relax foreign players as no country really likes to get involved in sidetaking in an internal political battle that could go either way, so there will be sighs of relief there too.

Kasit in short is a great act to be following. You would have to pretty much morph into Mussolini on speed to be any worse.

The guy who replaced Noppadom would be a good choice, but somehow I don't think he is motivated.

[cdnvic]

I deleted one post and a reply. I know it was only a joke, but please keep Thailand's rather vigorous defamation laws when posting, especially about public officials.

[geriatrickid]

Finally, an admission that the former Abhisit government was incompetent on foreign diplomacy. The tide is turning and slowly but surely, the entrenched interest groups are beginning to accept the election of the PTP government.

I know it is not good form to gloat, but many of the views stated in this article were voiced by multiple people in the forums. In all cases, the anti Thaksin contingent replied with a barrage of negativity. Vindication is sweet.

[hellodolly]

It would be almost impossible to have a worse foreign policy than the last lot. They made Thailand look silly with their obsession over Thaksin, and ended up being far too confrontational to achieve their ends in other areas. In retrospect Kasit was a disasterous choice too as he was always going to be blinded by domestic political issues that he felt strongly over and was extremely partisan about. A more neutral choice would have been better. It seems PTP have learnt form the Dems mistakes and arent going to appoint an uber-red. Just concentrating on issues of import to the country will be a massive improvment. Im sure they'll have no problem forgetting about pursuing Thaksin around the globe as number one issue.

I think you are being a little harsh with the imposable word. That being said you are correct that they did not do much for their foreign policy. The biggest mistake they made was putting Kasit in. As for chasing Thaksin if it made a difference it would have been a positive one. He was a fugitive and like all other countries Thailand tried to have him brought back and pay for his crimes. The way they handled and still are Cambodia was a disgrace and that did not and is not helping them. Over all they were ineffectual and one can only hope the PT does better.

I often wonder what all this talk about the poor downtrodden people of Thailand is all about. If you listen to a Thaksin suporter he did wonders for them. In my opinion if the PT is going to help them they will have to set new policies of their own. Thaksin and Abhist have not really helped them a lot. With the power they have in the house now they can make a real difference if they chose to do so.

[hellodolly]

Finally, an admission that the former Abhisit government was incompetent on foreign diplomacy. The tide is turning and slowly but surely, the entrenched interest groups are beginning to accept the election of the PTP government.

I know it is not good form to gloat, but many of the views stated in this article were voiced by multiple people in the forums. In all cases, the anti Thaksin contingent replied with a barrage of negativity. Vindication is sweet.

What are you talking about Supalak Ganjanakhundee admited that they were ineffectual. Not the Dems. And if you had been following the threads on the handling of the Cambodia situation you would have noticed that he was not getting a lot of support for his style.Nothing finally about it that has been going on for a while now.

[FOODLOVER]

Bungle in the Jungle you say?

[Thaddeus]

Bungle in the Jungle you say?

JT

Quality.