EDITORIAL
The public must focus on reality, not nationalism
The Nation


A general view of the trial between Cambodia and Thailand over the Preah Vihear Temple, in the renovated hall of the Peace Palace, at the International Court of Justice in the Hague, the Netherlands, on April 15.

BANGKOK: -- Whatever the international court decision on the disputed Preah Vihear Temple, Thailand's good relationship with Cambodia is of paramount importance

The Thai legal team representing the country at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in the case of disputed Preah Vihear Temple have returned to Bangkok. Greeting them and even labelling them as heroes is the right way for society to express its gratitude for their great efforts. However, this country must separate sentiment from reality.

The most important thing to bear in mind is that the good performance by our legal team might not lead to victory in the court battle that also involves Cambodia's claim to the temple. There are many unpredictable factors in any court trial.

The love and support that Thais extended to the team should not be converted into nationalism or anti-Cambodian sentiment. Relations between Thailand and Cambodia, and most importantly with the Cambodian people - who are in fact are our relatives and neighbours - must be paramount.

The Hindu temple of Preah Vihear has been at the centre of the border dispute, and sometimes-sour relations, between the two countries for a long time. Nationalist sentiment has in the past implanted bad feelings and a negative attitude among Thais toward Cambodia and the Cambodian people, and vice versa.

In 1962 the ICJ ruled that the temple is situated in sovereign Cambodian territory and ordered Thailand to withdraw its troops from the temple and its vicinity. The dispute should have come to an end then. Indeed, it was supposed to have been settled in a manner of brotherhood and neighbourliness, but nationalist sentiment has too often dominated Thai politics in the past few years.

This sentiment fuelled the fires of the dispute, which descended into border skirmishes causing casualties on both sides.

Cambodia chose an uncompromising but still peaceful way to bring the case to court again in 2011, seeking an interpretation of the 1962 judgement to make clear the "vicinity" of the temple from which Thailand, by order of the court, is obligated to withdraw its troops.

During testimony last week, the Thai team used strong language in accusing Cambodia of distorting the 1962 judgement to claim a larger slice of territory adjacent to the temple. But the public in both countries, notably in Thailand, who watched the live televised hearing, should realise that such words were used in the court context only.

The land in dispute, the much-discussed "vicinity", has yet to belong solely to either party. If one listened to the court hearing carefully, both sides defined the vicinity differently, so the court has asked them to explain exactly their interpretations of the area.

The disputed area adjacent to the temple is just 4.6 square kilometres (2,875 rai). It is a tiny portion of the border between the two countries, stretching from Ubon Ratchathani to Trat on the Thai side. In terms of relations between Thailand and Cambodia, it should be even less significant. In the worst-case scenario for Thailand, if the court rules in favour of Cambodia, it is a rather small issue in comparison to the overall border.

Cambodia's Foreign Minister, Hor Namhong, representing his country in court, put forward a positive outlook, saying that, whatever the court's decision, it should not affect the good relationship between Thailand and Cambodia. Indeed, we must respect the eventual decision and do all we can to maintain brotherly ties with our neighbour next door.


-- The Nation 2013-04-23

Maybe the nation should stop printing such nationalist, jingoist headlines too, over this case.

The entire Thai outlook and attitude on this issue is out of whack. On one hand, the Thais make it a life or death issue. On the other hand, a Thai judgment after all of this out of whack nationalism will surely lead to a deep resentment by the Cambodians. The previous "opinion" piece on heroes was a laughable article reflecting a complete lack of reality.

Can't they just share it?

No its not the public who must focus on reality its those running the respective countries.

The public or a fair proportion of them have now been stirred up to nationalism over this which is a crying shame for it can only lead to trouble, but then that was probably the idea.

As an aside; if those who continually post bashing the Nation haven't got anything constructive to say on a topic have a go at writing a news article in Thai and see how you get on.

Good idea, THE NATION!

Why don't you start leading as a good example?

...one child cuts it in two, and the other child gets first choice

Is there even a Thai word for reality? Came to think of it is there a Thai word for rationality?

That's laughable... nationalism is the only thing that's been rammed down the Thai throats since birth. What do they expect a change in attitude? Not going to happen for at least a 1,000 years.

They always refer to it as the Hindu temple and never as the Khmer Hindu temple.

I'm pretty sure that is deliberate.

next they will blabla about siem riep which i was told means: the defeat of siam ...

yes, put attention to this, so the great leader can continue to rob the country

That's laughable... nationalism is the only thing that's been rammed down the Thai throats since birth. What do they expect a change in attitude? Not going to happen for at least a 1,000 years.

Man's got a point. Kids knee height are spoon fed only Thai information and to be proud of their country, not a bad thing but one would think as the kid gets older, he/she would be taught more about the world, other nationalities and opportunities OUTSIDE of Thailand. Many Thai's only start learning about foreign countries, cultures and people in their adulthood.

As said above, a change in attitude would take a looooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooong time!

Maybe the nation should stop printing such nationalist, jingoist headlines too, over this case.

I agree with this, But.. If it was the US, Great Britain or France, Germany, etc and etc., it would also be Nationalism. I'm not saying Cambodia is right nor am I saying Thailand is right. I'm just saying when it comes to border disputes, it's always about Nationalism.

hasnt it got something to do with the oil and gas rights in the ajoining sea

http://www.clc-asia.com/the-struggle-between-thailand-and-cambodia-over-oil-and-gas-resources/

@ Nattydread

The disputed area, also known as the Overlapping Claims Area (‘OCA’), has been a point of contention in the relationship between the two countries and the settlement of the dispute would be a boon to not only diplomatic relations, but also to further energy exploration and production in South-East Asia.

The OCA is a 27,000 sq km offshore area estimated to contain up to 11 trillion cubic feet of natural gas and under determined quantities of condensate and oil.

See what you mean. 11 trillion cubic feet of gas and UNDER DETERMINED amounts of condensate and oil sounds like a lot of money!

Maybe the nation should stop printing such nationalist, jingoist headlines too, over this case.

I agree with this, But.. If it was the US, Great Britain or France, Germany, etc and etc., it would also be Nationalism. I'm not saying Cambodia is right nor am I saying Thailand is right. I'm just saying when it comes to border disputes, it's always about Nationalism.

Thailand refuses use of map?

Just the language suggests they instruct the court what they can do.

Thais tell court they can't judge this way or that.

Yes in the rest of the world it would be nationalism, it would also be inaccurate and inappropriate reporting of the story.

There is a difference between telling a story, and telling the story you want to tell.

That's laughable... nationalism is the only thing that's been rammed down the Thai throats since birth. What do they expect a change in attitude? Not going to happen for at least a 1,000 years.

Man's got a point. Kids knee height are spoon fed only Thai information and to be proud of their country, not a bad thing but one would think as the kid gets older, he/she would be taught more about the world, other nationalities and opportunities OUTSIDE of Thailand. Many Thai's only start learning about foreign countries, cultures and people in their adulthood.

As said above, a change in attitude would take a looooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooong time!

Damn, delete thai and add american! Funny.

Much ado about nothing! Next...

No its not the public who must focus on reality its those running the respective countries.

The public or a fair proportion of them have now been stirred up to nationalism over this which is a crying shame for it can only lead to trouble, but then that was probably the idea.

As an aside; if those who continually post bashing the Nation haven't got anything constructive to say on a topic have a go at writing a news article in Thai and see how you get on.

The Nation bills itself as an English Language Newspaper covering Thai and International News. As such it is incumbent upon them to provide articles by journalists that are familiar with the English language - it's not an amateur blog where they can get away with it. Add on a complete lack of follow up to major stories and a political agenda and you end up with The Nation. Why shouldn't I and others complain about the lack of professionalism. There are other Thai English Language newspapers that do an (arguably) better job IMO.

Who stirred up this nonsense in the first place : the PAD , followed by the ultra royalists and then soon enough the Democrat Party jumped on the nationalist bandwagon .

Nothing else .

That's laughable... nationalism is the only thing that's been rammed down the Thai throats since birth. What do they expect a change in attitude? Not going to happen for at least a 1,000 years.

Man's got a point. Kids knee height are spoon fed only Thai information and to be proud of their country, not a bad thing but one would think as the kid gets older, he/she would be taught more about the world, other nationalities and opportunities OUTSIDE of Thailand. Many Thai's only start learning about foreign countries, cultures and people in their adulthood.

As said above, a change in attitude would take a looooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooong time!

Damn, delete thai and add american! Funny.

... Neeeeeext ....