Cambodia and Thailand agree to remove troops from disputed border

[serenitynow]

PM Hun Sen called k. Thaksin his 'eternal' friend. The appointment of k. Thaksin as economical advisor to the Cambodian government in 2009 was the reason for the Thai government under PM Abhsit to put the MoU on the disputed maritime zone and it's exploration on hold. That made sense. The one who knows about your position, thoughts, weaknesses and bargaining position starts to advise the other side, imagine. Nothing to do with 'Thaksin hatred', only with sound 'real-politiek'.

The 'fact' that all of a sudden the Cambodian government seems co-operative with the Thai government having done nothing yet seems suspicious. To suggest it's because of a different stance of the new Thai government is ridiculous. I've got it from a source close to the PM "it's too early, we will elaborate later, give us six months'. The seemingly friendly attitude is verbal only, a newsflash already has

""Hor Namhong, Cambodia's Foreign Minister said, "Samdach [Hun Sen] said Cambodia cannot withdraw troops from the 4.6 kilometre square area, and we will keep this issue for the ICJ. If the ICJ judges that the area belongs to Thailand, Cambodia will offer it to Thailand.""

http://www.phnompenh...k-on-track.html

Seems reasonable but the absence of that absurd little toad Kasit can only be to Thailand's better interests.

Until this newest Thaksin shill got installed into the FM's office I never imagined someone worse than Kasit ever appearing in a Thai government again. This new guy is not only a political leper, as was Kasit, but he shows every sign of being wholly incompetent as well. That's a pretty important portfolio you know.

[Siam Simon]

The whole "Yellow Shirts/PAD/Democrats caused the border fighting" makes no sense whatsoever, or else what would keep the same people to stir up trouble again and discredit the PTP government?

There haven't been any significant changes in the military structure, so the same people in the army then are in command now.

That's not to say that the PAD clowns didn't make things any better with their idiotic antics, but the break of hostilities, IMO, was a political ploy by Hun Sen on behalf of his "eternal friend" (one could only hope that in due time they both spend eternity together where they deserve)

It makes perfect sense if you replace the word 'Democrats' with 'Army'. imo It was an an attempt by that ugly triumvirate to scupper the general election, and only the Cambodian army's restraint/reticence stopped said uglies from achieving their goal.

Since it didn't benefit the Thai army at all I'm not very inclined to believe that. On the other hand it greatly benefited Hun Sen and Thaksin/PTP, I don't hold the Thai Army in that low esteem to not known when they are making such an obvious own goal.

They weren't making an own goal. They were trying to create a big enough problem to abort the general election. Thankfully, the Cambodians showed restraint. imo, Of course.

[rubl]

Since it didn't benefit the Thai army at all I'm not very inclined to believe that. On the other hand it greatly benefited Hun Sen and Thaksin/PTP, I don't hold the Thai Army in that low esteem to not known when they are making such an obvious own goal.

They weren't making an own goal. They were trying to create a big enough problem to abort the general election. Thankfully, the Cambodians showed restraint. imo, Of course.

Restraint? Shooting on/from both sides. Accusations on both sides. Inviting k. Thaksin a know fugitive criminal, open armed welcome by PM Hun Sen, private session with Camb. government on economics. Restraint? More like thumbing your nose at someone, I'd say.

"Hor Namhong, Cambodia's Foreign Minister said, "Samdach [Hun Sen] said Cambodia cannot withdraw troops from the 4.6 kilometre square area, and we will keep this issue for the ICJ. If the ICJ judges that the area belongs to Thailand, Cambodia will offer it to Thailand."

http://www.phnompenhpost.com/index.php/2011091651697/National-news/relations-back-on-track.html

[elgato]

I hardly call this news......good that the agreement has been reached.......but really Thaksin is thinking months if not years ahead of most, and nobody with a brain sees this development as anything other than expected........yes he built the relationship which is now benefitting Yingluck and Thailand........and of course might possibly assist in any effort to allow his return

Ya think?

[Buchholz]

They weren't making an own goal. They were trying to create a big enough problem to abort the general election. Thankfully, the Cambodians showed restraint. imo, Of course.

Restraint? Shooting on/from both sides. Accusations on both sides. Inviting k. Thaksin a know fugitive criminal, open armed welcome by PM Hun Sen, private session with Camb. government on economics. Restraint? More like thumbing your nose at someone, I'd say.

"Hor Namhong, Cambodia's Foreign Minister said, "Samdach [Hun Sen] said Cambodia cannot withdraw troops from the 4.6 kilometre square area, and we will keep this issue for the ICJ. If the ICJ judges that the area belongs to Thailand, Cambodia will offer it to Thailand."

http://www.phnompenhpost.com/index.php/2011091651697/National-news/relations-back-on-track.html

More "restraint" shown by Cambodia's next despotic leader...

Cambodia recruiting more soldiers to fight against Thailand

BANGKOK, May 1 2011 (NNT) - Major-General Hun Manet announced that he would give 1 house and 5 rai of land to anyone willing to become a soldier and fight against Thailand.

Deputy Army Commander Major-General Hun Manet, the eldest son of Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Sen, has announced that he would give 1 house and 5 rai of land plus a few thousand baht of their normal salary to anyone who are willing to become a soldier and fight against Thailand.

-- NNT 2011-05-01

Very lucky there weren't more Thai casualties from the Cambodian shelling:

A house burns in a Thai village near a 11th-century Preah Vihear temple at the border between Thailand and Cambodia February 4, 2011. Thai and Cambodian soldiers exchanged fire in a two-hour border clash on Friday that killed two Cambodian soldiers and a Thai villager, the latest in an ancient feud over land surrounding the 900-year-old Hindu temple.

REUTERS

http://news.yahoo.com/nphotos/slideshow/photo//110204/ids_photos_wl/r806077240.jpg/

Edited September 18, 2011 by metisdead
Copyrighted Reuters photo removed.

[RedNIvar]

More "restraint" shown by Cambodia's next despotic leader...

Cambodia recruiting more soldiers to fight against Thailand

BANGKOK, May 1 2011 (NNT) - Major-General Hun Manet announced that he would give 1 house and 5 rai of land to anyone willing to become a soldier and fight against Thailand.

Deputy Army Commander Major-General Hun Manet, the eldest son of Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Sen, has announced that he would give 1 house and 5 rai of land plus a few thousand baht of their normal salary to anyone who are willing to become a soldier and fight against Thailand.

-- NNT 2011-05-01

Very lucky there weren't more Thai casualties from the Cambodian shelling:

A house burns in a Thai village near a 11th-century Preah Vihear temple at the border between Thailand and Cambodia February 4, 2011. Thai and Cambodian soldiers exchanged fire in a two-hour border clash on Friday that killed two Cambodian soldiers and a Thai villager, the latest in an ancient feud over land surrounding the 900-year-old Hindu temple.

REUTERS

http://news.yahoo.co...r806077240.jpg/

Well logically would you believe news written about Cambodia from a Thai news agency? Scratch that, I just realized Thai's have an impeccable reputation of stating the truth.

[scotbeve]

PM Hun Sen called k. Thaksin his 'eternal' friend. The appointment of k. Thaksin as economical advisor to the Cambodian government in 2009 was the reason for the Thai government under PM Abhsit to put the MoU on the disputed maritime zone and it's exploration on hold. That made sense. The one who knows about your position, thoughts, weaknesses and bargaining position starts to advise the other side, imagine. Nothing to do with 'Thaksin hatred', only with sound 'real-politiek'.

The 'fact' that all of a sudden the Cambodian government seems co-operative with the Thai government having done nothing yet seems suspicious. To suggest it's because of a different stance of the new Thai government is ridiculous. I've got it from a source close to the PM "it's too early, we will elaborate later, give us six months'. The seemingly friendly attitude is verbal only, a newsflash already has

""Hor Namhong, Cambodia's Foreign Minister said, "Samdach [Hun Sen] said Cambodia cannot withdraw troops from the 4.6 kilometre square area, and we will keep this issue for the ICJ. If the ICJ judges that the area belongs to Thailand, Cambodia will offer it to Thailand.""

http://www.phnompenh...k-on-track.html

Seems reasonable but the absence of that absurd little toad Kasit can only be to Thailand's better interests.

Step right up Ladies and gentlemen to the greatest show on earth....

[Buchholz]

The non-PhotoShopped pic of the current Foreign Minister shows a dramatic improvement in clown appeal.

[whybother]

More "restraint" shown by Cambodia's next despotic leader...

Cambodia recruiting more soldiers to fight against Thailand

BANGKOK, May 1 2011 (NNT) - Major-General Hun Manet announced that he would give 1 house and 5 rai of land to anyone willing to become a soldier and fight against Thailand.

Deputy Army Commander Major-General Hun Manet, the eldest son of Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Sen, has announced that he would give 1 house and 5 rai of land plus a few thousand baht of their normal salary to anyone who are willing to become a soldier and fight against Thailand.

-- NNT 2011-05-01

Very lucky there weren't more Thai casualties from the Cambodian shelling:

A house burns in a Thai village near a 11th-century Preah Vihear temple at the border between Thailand and Cambodia February 4, 2011. Thai and Cambodian soldiers exchanged fire in a two-hour border clash on Friday that killed two Cambodian soldiers and a Thai villager, the latest in an ancient feud over land surrounding the 900-year-old Hindu temple.

REUTERS

http://news.yahoo.co...r806077240.jpg/

Well logically would you believe news written about Cambodia from a Thai news agency? Scratch that, I just realized Thai's have an impeccable reputation of stating the truth.

I didn't realise Reuters was a Thai news agency.

[nurofiend]

Makes the Abhisit gov look pretty stupid but no doubt part of Hun Sen & Thaksins plans.

Abhisit may have been well educated and had Political experience, however, if there's one issue he blew big time was the border dispute over the temple. Any leader who refuses to give an inch or negotiate and compromise a disputed state issue should not hold such a position as he did. He has twice the experience and education of the current PM and she seemed to handle the situation in just a couple of months. Maybe that's where the saying comes from, "too smart for your own good".

The "situation" was handled because of the two hugging guys are buddies and the predecessor was not. Nothing really surprising about that.

and it's got absolutely nothing to do with how abhisit dealt with the situation... they just weren't buddies