Thailand And Cambodia Shoot For Football Diplomacy

[webfact]

Thailand and Cambodia shoot for football diplomacy

Nirmal Ghosh

The Straits Times

Call it football diplomacy.

After over two years of withering rhetoric, downgraded relations and artillery exchanges, Thailand's relationship with Cambodia is set to see a dramatic turnaround this month with a friendly football match between Thai MPs and Cambodian government officials.

The game on Sept 23 will be preceded by a visit to Phnom Penh by Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra this Thursday. During the day-long trip, she is expected to request the release of two Thai nationalists jailed in Cambodia on spying charges; it is likely that Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen will agree.

Mr Hun Sen is close to Ms Yingluck's brother Thaksin Shinawatra. Former premier Thaksin, who is now a fugitive, is also due to visit Cambodia but - probably to deter talk that he is the de facto prime minister of Thailand and his sister is merely a front - a day after Ms Yingluck leaves.

A source in Phnom Penh, who is familiar with the arrangements, said it was not yet clear whether Thaksin would stay on to take part in the football game.

Thaksin will, however, meet key "red shirt" figures and supporters during a trip to Siem Reap.

Mr Hun Sen is expected to be at the game, mingling with the Thai MPs - reportedly all from the red shirt movement that protested in support of Thaksin in 2009 and last year in the streets of Bangkok and other cities. He may even kick the ball around a bit.

The Yingluck visit and the football match signal a "new beginning for the relationship" between Thailand and Cambodia, said former Thai foreign service official Pavin Chachavalpongpun, now a fellow at the Institute of Southeast Asian Studies in Singapore.

The football match is said to be the idea of local Phnom Penh politician Klaing Hout, 41, who is little known but seen as politically ambitious.

Mr Klaing Hout, a fluent Thai speaker, has been assigned to coordinate affairs relating to Thailand, especially with the red shirts, many of whose leaders fled to Cambodia following the army crackdown on their protests in Bangkok. Mr Klaing Hout, a source in Cambodia said, "corresponds directly and frequently with Hun Sen and Thaksin".

Thailand's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has distanced itself from the football match, which it says is a private affair. But the match underscores the long ties between Mr Hun Sen and Thaksin.

Mr Hun Sen arranged safe houses for red shirts fleeing military crackdowns in Bangkok, and riled Thailand's conservative, royalist elite by making Thaksin an economic adviser to his government. The former Thai premier, suspected by many of the old elite of being a closet republican, is still technically a fugitive from the law in Thailand, where he was sentenced to two years in jail on a conflict-of-interest conviction.

When the Democrat Party was in power in Thailand, diplomatic relations were downgraded, not just over the Thaksin issue but also over disputed land near the ancient Preah Vihear temple on the border - a longstanding bone of contention.

Relations broke down to the point where the two countries shelled each other with heavy artillery and rockets at two areas along their border earlier this year - sparking a crisis for Asean.

For the red shirts, playing football under the patronage of Mr Hun Sen underscores the movement's new sense of legitimacy after it helped power the Puea Thai party to a decisive win in Thailand's July 3 election, paving the way for Ms Yingluck to take power.

The movement is also flexing its muscle. Red shirt MP Jatuporn Promphan has said the red shirts need to be ready to "protect" the Yingluck government from attempts to undermine it.

Mr Jatuporn - a prominent red shirt - has said more friendly football encounters may follow with neighbours like Laos and Myanmar.

He and other red shirt MPs who want to play in the Sept 23 game are being prosecuted for their part in last year's violent protests in Bangkok, and will have to petition the courts to leave the country. If they cannot leave, the game may be played in Thailand.

-- ANN 2011-09-13

related:

Thaksin To Visit Cambodia This Friday : Hun Sen

[Buchholz]

A source in Phnom Penh, who is familiar with the arrangements, said it was not yet clear whether Thaksin would stay on to take part in the football game.

It would be a shame if the viewing world were to be deprived of the opportunity to observe a professional veteran with both Manchester United AND Manchester City experience.

World-class talent like that is a rarity in SE Asia.

[hammered]

Will the game be live on Thai TV? Those old government versus opposition ones used to be and quite amusing they were too. Hopefully this one will be too.

[Buchholz]

It will be when Team Cambodia comes to Thailand to play Team Red

If they cannot leave, the game may be played in Thailand.

[robsamui]

A source in Phnom Penh, who is familiar with the arrangements, said it was not yet clear whether Thaksin would stay on to take part in the football game.

It would be a shame if the viewing world were to be deprived of the opportunity to observe a professional veteran with both Manchester United AND Manchester City experience.

World-class talent like that is a rarity in SE Asia.

with all his millions you'd think he'd get a set of good dentures .....

R

Edited September 13, 2011 by robsamui

[Ricardo]

Hope the 'Reds' don't score any own-goals !

[elgato]

Thailand And Cambodia Shoot For Football Diplomacy

I think "shoot" is the operative word given recent events between the two countries!

[Bakseedaa]

Will the game be live on Thai TV? Those old government versus opposition ones used to be and quite amusing they were too. Hopefully this one will be too.

Who in their right mind would want to watch such a waste of taxpayers moneys...? Oh, I forgot about you Hammered... has the name to do with your condition..

[kraplung]

Will Max play in gaol?........oops, I meant goal.

Edited September 13, 2011 by kraplung

[MaiChai]

Amazing how Thai Cambodian relations improve when Taksins PT gets in power? Makes you wonder if the Cambodia/Thai dispute before was just an attempt to destablise the Thai government?

[Buchholz]

Amazing how Thai Cambodian relations improve when Taksins PT gets in power? Makes you wonder if the Cambodia/Thai dispute before was just an attempt to destablise the Thai government?

Cambodia's Two Decade Long Despot Hun Sen certainly let it be known in other areas where his interests were.

Just one example:

Mr Hun Sen arranged safe houses for red shirts fleeing

Thailand's instability was his gain.

[Buchholz]

Still, when it's all said and done, I do hope Pele' gets a chance to show his stuff...

[lungmi]

Will the game be live on Thai TV? Those old government versus opposition ones used to be and quite amusing they were too. Hopefully this one will be too.

Who in their right mind would want to watch such a waste of taxpayers moneys...? Oh, I forgot about you Hammered... has the name to do with your condition..

Yes, I'm hammered too.

[sexy man]

put thasin at full back as he is good at rearguard actions

[ToffeEFCpower]

Can you imagine Jatuporn belting down the wing with that gut bouncing about lol

[Bagwan]

Thanks to this unedifying news that incompetent but powerful crooks will settle their differences by a game of soccer, I cannot get the memory of the footballing nuns from a Monty Python episode out of my mind.

If this novel approach to solving world problems works can we expect to see Taliban United vs Washington City any time soon?

[Buchholz]

Can you imagine Jatuporn belting down the wing with that gut bouncing about lol

Judging by how he looks today, it just seems to get bigger and bigger...

Edited September 13, 2011 by Buchholz

[hpwheelman]

Thanks to this unedifying news that incompetent but powerful crooks will settle their differences by a game of soccer, I cannot get the memory of the footballing nuns from a Monty Python episode out of my mind.

If this novel approach to solving world problems works can we expect to see Taliban United vs Washington City any time soon?

No, you can't. We consider that sport to be a woman's game, or for children. No offence intended, but if you don't know that by now, you should.

Edited September 13, 2011 by hpwheelman

[KKK]

India and Pakistan use cricket for their sport diplomacy and where has it got them; nowhere as this ridiculous PR excersise will.

[Buchholz]

Will the game be live on Thai TV?

It will be when Team Cambodia comes to Thailand to play Team Red

If they cannot leave, the game may be played in Thailand.

Court permission sought for bailed reds to visit Cambodia

The defence team on Wednesday petitioned for a court permission for four bailed red-shirt leaders to visit Cambodia from tomorrow to Sunday.

As reason to travel abroad, the petition cited the government's instruction for the four as the advance party to prepare for a friedly football match between Thailand and Cambodia, scheduled to take place next Saturday in Phnom Penh.

The defence will post Bt600,000 in cash as surety.

The four are former Red-shirt Chairman Veera Musigapong, two Pheu Thai MPs, Natthawut Saikua and Weng Tojirakan, and Secretary to the Deputy Interior Minister Yoswaris "Jeng Dokjik" Chuklom. They have been released on bail pending trial on terrorism charges in connection with the last year's riots.

-- The Nation 2011-09-14

Edited September 14, 2011 by Buchholz

[Buchholz]

Court allows 3 of 4 Reds to travel to Cambodia

The Criminal Court Wednesday approved the travel petition for three of four red-shirt leaders to visit Cambodia.

The court allows Veera Musigapong, two Pheu Thai MPs, Natthawut Saikua and Yoswaris "Jeng Dokjik" Chuklom to make a two-leg trip to Phnom Penh.

In the first leg, the reds would travel to prepare for the friendly football match from tomorrow to Monday and return to attend the match on Friday to Sunday.

But another red-shirt leader, Weng Tojirakan, would have to refile his petition tomorrow due ot incomplete documentation.

-- The Nation 2011-09-14

Edited September 14, 2011 by Buchholz

[Buchholz]

Almost like the Beijing Olympics this football match.

[Buchholz]

The bailed-out-of-the-country dates are Sept. 15-19 and Sept 23-25.

.

[rubl]

Will we have a karaoke party after the football match? Our favorite fugitive and singer k. 'burn-it-my-way' Arisman is still in Cambodia somewhere. He could celebrate with the four UDD / red-shirts coming over. Afterwards he might even want to turn himself in seeing how well 'suspected terrorists' are treated in Thailand

[RickBradford]

Maybe Thaksin will climb onto the team bus after the game, and get back into Thailand as the border cops, distracted by the on-board singalong, fail to see him hiding under the back seat.....

[Bagwan]

Thanks to this unedifying news that incompetent but powerful crooks will settle their differences by a game of soccer, I cannot get the memory of the footballing nuns from a Monty Python episode out of my mind.

If this novel approach to solving world problems works can we expect to see Taliban United vs Washington City any time soon?

No, you can't. We consider that sport to be a woman's game, or for children. No offence intended, but if you don't know that by now, you should.

And exactly who are 'We"? Whoever you are, I suggest you Google for Norman Hunter, Nobby Styles, Chopper Harris and a few other gentle folk. Maybe you are from the country where excessively tall males play netball and others play rounders - under different names of course. How very butch. No offence of course.

Why I should have an intimate knowledge of what those of a different country and culture think about particular sports is beyond my ken.

[rubl]

Snippets from the OP:

Thaksin will, however, meet key "red shirt" figures and supporters during a trip to Siem Reap.

This was written before some 'key UDD' figures had received permission to travel outside Thailand. Maybe k. Thaksin plans to meet k. Arisman and a few others. K. Thaksin has gone on record saying he doesn't know any red-shirts.

Mr Hun Sen is expected to be at the game, mingling with the Thai MPs - reportedly all from the red shirt movement that protested in support of Thaksin in 2009 and last year in the streets of Bangkok and other cities. He may even kick the ball around a bit.

I assume normal MPs are very busy implementing those election campaign promises. The UDD MPs will not be really missed. Still interesting to read PM Hun Sen is so impartial and doing his best to further Cambodian - Thai cooperation.

Mr Klaing Hout, a fluent Thai speaker, has been assigned to coordinate affairs relating to Thailand, especially with the red shirts, many of whose leaders fled to Cambodia following the army crackdown on their protests in Bangkok. Mr Klaing Hout, a source in Cambodia said, "corresponds directly and frequently with Hun Sen and Thaksin".

Waiting for someone to remark on the Karen who fled Myanmar for similar reasons.

Thailand's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has distanced itself from the football match, which it says is a private affair. But the match underscores the long ties between Mr Hun Sen and Thaksin.

As it's a private affair all political aspects / links should be avoided. For a private affair I don't think the court should have granted a few UDD MPs to visit Cambodia.

Mr Hun Sen arranged safe houses for red shirts fleeing military crackdowns in Bangkok, and riled Thailand's conservative, royalist elite by making Thaksin an economic adviser to his government. The former Thai premier, suspected by many of the old elite of being a closet republican, is still technically a fugitive from the law in Thailand, where he was sentenced to two years in jail on a conflict-of-interest conviction.

No comment.

For the red shirts, playing football under the patronage of Mr Hun Sen underscores the movement's new sense of legitimacy after it helped power the Puea Thai party to a decisive win in Thailand's July 3 election, paving the way for Ms Yingluck to take power.

How does this match with the 'private affair' ?

The movement is also flexing its muscle. Red shirt MP Jatuporn Promphan has said the red shirts need to be ready to "protect" the Yingluck government from attempts to undermine it.

No protesting against our smiling PM Yingluck, bad form. No wreaths either, you hear?

He and other red shirt MPs who want to play in the Sept 23 game are being prosecuted for their part in last year's violent protests in Bangkok, and will have to petition the courts to leave the country. If they cannot leave, the game may be played in Thailand.

Again all planned, but btw need permission to leave the country something we asked a long time in advance (i.e. 2 days before the first trip). PM Hun Sen and maybe k. Thaksin will be present. typically Thai planning, or just a lot of bluster and other types of BS?

[hpwheelman]

Thanks to this unedifying news that incompetent but powerful crooks will settle their differences by a game of soccer, I cannot get the memory of the footballing nuns from a Monty Python episode out of my mind.

If this novel approach to solving world problems works can we expect to see Taliban United vs Washington City any time soon?

No, you can't. We consider that sport to be a woman's game, or for children. No offence intended, but if you don't know that by now, you should.

And exactly who are 'We"? Whoever you are, I suggest you Google for Norman Hunter, Nobby Styles, Chopper Harris and a few other gentle folk. Maybe you are from the country where excessively tall males play netball and others play rounders - under different names of course. How very butch. No offence of course.

Why I should have an intimate knowledge of what those of a different country and culture think about particular sports is beyond my ken.

Was wondering who that would piss off. We would be Americans. As in the Washington city (Assumed this was supposed to mean Washington DC, but I could have been wrong) people. I am guessing you meant basket ball and baseball as well. Or maybe volleyball? Remember that we Americans had to Google that guy, uh... The football player who went to play for the LA galaxy soccer team. Hell, I didn't even know we had a soccer team in LA, and I am from there. I honestly am not intending to insult, I am just letting you know we really do not know or care much for that sport, and as a nation we really do think of it as a child's/woman's game. Men play baseball and American Football, women play soccer aka to the rest of the world as football. And as to why you should know, well if you wanted to make a relevant comment about the two countries playing a sport game to determine anything, you should pick a sport that both would want to play. Ahh I remember now, David Beckham. International superstar right? Could walk down any street in America and be left alone cause no one would know who he was. Most still probably don't.

Edited September 14, 2011 by hpwheelman

[Buchholz]

Court says yes to red-shirt Cambodia trip

The Criminal Court yesterday allowed red-shirt leaders facing charges of terrorism and prohibited from leaving the country to travel to Cambodia.

Veera Musigapong, Natthawut Saikua and Yoswalit Chooklom received court permission to leave the country on condition that each puts up a surety of Bt600,000 and reports to the court on September 26.

The three red-shirt leaders said in their request submitted to the court they would join a group of Pheu Thai Party MPs led by Jatuporn Promphan, who is also a red-shirt leader, for the trip to Cambodia. The red-shirt politicians' group is part of Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra's entourage on her official introductory visit to Cambodia today.

The red shirts requested permission to travel to Cambodia from today to next Monday and from September 23 to 25.

A friendly football match is scheduled for September 24 in Phnom Penh between red-shirt politicians and members of the Cambodian government.

Natthawut said yesterday the red shirt-leaders had to travel to Cambodia before the friendly football match in order to take part in the preparation for the event. He said that due to increased interest, the event was going to be bigger than earlier planned.

"Our main duty involves public relations. If the people of both countries have a good mutual understanding, both Thailand and Cambodia will benefit," he said, adding that the idea of a friendly football match would also extend to other neighbouring countries in a bid to boost bilateral ties.

Late in the afternoon, Korkaew Pikulthong and Kwanchai Praipana - banned by the court from leaving the country during the trial against them - also got court permission to join the other red-shirt leaders on their travel to Cambodia.

Weng Tojirakarn, another red-shirt leader and Pheu Thai MP prohibited from leaving the country, would submit his request for court permission today, his lawyer Winyat Chartmontri said.

"The defendants are going to travel to Cambodia on an order from the government. They are going to cooperate for a friendly football match to improve ties between the two countries," the lawyer said. "They are also going to help Thai activists imprisoned in Cambodia," he said, referring to the yellow shirts' Veera Somkwamkid and Ratree Pipattanaopaiboon.

The lawyer said the red-shirt leaders had no schedule to meet with fugitive former premier Thaksin Shinawatra, who is expected to travel to Cambodia later this month.

A high-ranking source in the Cambodian government said that Veera and Ratree, imprisoned for illegal entry and spying, were expected to be released during Yingluck's visit to Cambodia.

-- The Nation 2011-09-15

[Buchholz]

The bailed-out-of-the-country dates are Sept. 15-19 and Sept 23-25.

All the important Red Shirts are in Cambodia playing footie when the Red Shirts have their Bangkok rally on Sept. 18?