Cambodia Sees End Of 'Nightmare' Thai Relations

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Cambodia sees end of 'nightmare' Thai relations

PHNOM PENH, August 11, 2011 (AFP) - Cambodian premier Hun Sen said Thursday the "nightmare" of strained relations with Thailand was over as he vowed to work with the new government in Bangkok to resolve a border row.

The countries have engaged in occasionally deadly clashes over a disputed area near a 900-year-old temple, though tensions have eased since an election victory by allies of ousted ex-leader Thaksin Shinawatra last month.

"Now is a good opportunity to announce a new era of cooperation between the Cambodian government and the Thai government led by the Puea Thai Party," Hun Sen said in a speech in the Cambodian capital.

"I think everything that happened in the past can be considered as the last nightmare of the relationship between Cambodia and Thailand. From now on, ties will be better," he vowed.

He added that Cambodia was "looking at all means" to improve the border situation and that he suspected the dispute would no longer be a major issue of concern for the 10-member Association of Southeast Nations (ASEAN).

Cambodia is due to take over as ASEAN chair from Indonesia in 2012.

Phnom Penh has made no secret of its delight with the new Thai government -- especially Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, the sister of Thaksin, whom Hun Sen has described as an "eternal friend".

Under previous Thai premier Abhisit Vejjajiva the border spat twice escalated into heavy arms clashes this year, prompting Phnom Penh to take the dispute to the United Nation's highest court.

The Hague-based International Court of Justice in July asked both nations to withdraw military personnel from around the Preah Vihear temple complex.

Neither side has pulled out yet, though the border situation has been calm and Hun Sen said Cambodia had started to reduce troop numbers from other areas near the temple.

Although Thailand does not dispute Cambodia's ownership of Preah Vihear, both Phnom Penh and Bangkok claim a 4.6-square-kilometre (1.8-square-mile) area of adjacent land.

In February 10 people were killed in fighting at the temple site and fresh clashes broke out further west in April, leaving 18 dead.

-- (c) Copyright AFP 2011-08-11

[wiscoman]

Thats good no more senseless fighting and dying over a few rai of land.

[kraplung]

One of the dumber conflicts in recent times should hopefully be brought to an end.

[Fookhaht]

Thats good no more senseless fighting and dying over a few rai of land.

Useless, ugly, burnt-rock land, to boot.

[REM]

One of the dumber conflicts in recent times should hopefully be brought to an end.

I know a resolution that stops the fighting is always good, but I think the reason for the resolution is as dumb as the conflict. Hun Sen's 'eternal friend's' sister, so now they can stop. They will parade this all over town on how good they work........

[DP25]

Of course the problem will stop, because Cambodia will no longer be launching attacks against Thailand.

[wackysleet]

Of course the problem will stop, because Cambodia will no longer be launching attacks against Thailand.

Don't tell me, you obviously glean your information from The Nation. Have you ever thought of looking for a truly independant news source in Thailand that isn't government or army controlled.

[moe666]

Of course the problem will stop, because Cambodia will no longer be launching attacks against Thailand.

Don't tell me, you obviously glean your information from The Nation. Have you ever thought of looking for a truly independant news source in Thailand that isn't government or army controlled.

Other than the red shirt rag what would you recommend.

[surangw]

if it weren't for the hot air generated by politicians about this, no one would give a hang.

maybe the whole thing was fired up to take the focus off real issues

[Thaddeus]

if it weren't for the hot air generated by politicians about this, no one would give a hang.

maybe the whole thing was fired up to take the focus off real issues

Well, blow me, I hadn't thought about that one.

Politicians creating nationalistic scenarios for their own ends, never, surely.

Funny how the little toy plane incident in Germany got solved very quickly also.

(hint, contains just a pinch of sarcasm)

Now, that minimum wage thing only needs a wave of the magic wand.

[geovalin]

I'm afraid we have to be cautious.

Foreign policy in Thailand is made by Yellow Shirt and Invisible Hand. Even if the gvt wants peace, if army and YS and IH create artificial provocations at the border, the fights will go on.

Please remember: "A Yellow Shirt wish is an order."

[wiscoman]

Your misinformation is comical

Of course the problem will stop, because Cambodia will no longer be launching attacks against Thailand.

[Flatouthruthefog]

if it weren't for the hot air generated by politicians about this, no one would give a hang.

maybe the whole thing was fired up to take the focus off real issues

Yes, and the real issue is the enormous submarine oil and gas reserves not very far away - which would have been affected by a newly aligned border.

The truth will 'out', but maybe not in my lifetime.