Some sincerity, please

The clash between the Thai military and Cambodian troops along the border on Oct 15 has raised questions about Phnom Penh's sincerity in settling the border dispute through diplomacy.

The road to peace has been ruined despite several rounds of multi-level meetings between the two countries.

The two nations have promised many times in the past few months to exercise restraint. But Phnom Penh has failed to keep its promise.

Every time a clash happens, the Foreign Ministry has summoned the Cambodian ambassador or the charge d'affaires to protest against the Cambodian action, and they always promise to resolve things through negotiations. But a short time later, another clash occurs.

The fighting last Wednesday was quite serious - seven Thai soldiers were injured and two Cambodian soldiers killed.

After the Foreign Ministry went through its usual pattern of protesting through diplomatic channels, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen said on Friday that the conflict would not end in war, that both sides would exercise restraint along the border and the problems would be tackled through bilateral talks. But what does that mean?

Phnom Penh's past record in keeping its word has not been good. And because of this Thailand has started to have doubts about its neighbour's sincerity. Asean members Indonesia and Malaysia have even offered to act as mediators.

The Cambodian government needs to show it is genuine about settling problems through bilateral talks.

Bringing bilateral problems to the international community or to the International Court of Justice, as earlier suggested by Mr Hun Sen, will not help ease tensions and instead will only heat up the conflict.

Cambodia became angry in July after the government opposed its request to take the border issue to the multilateral level through Asean members and the 15 members of the United Nations Security Council.

The Cambodians thought the government feared losing the case if it went to the International Court of Justice, which is what happened 50 years ago when Thailand lost the Preah Vihear temple to Cambodia in the same court.

In fact, Thailand has never feared taking a case to court. Thanks to many countries like the United States, China and Russia, as well as UN secretary-general Ban Ki-moon, Thailand has stuck to its position and not played Cambodia's game.

The Phnom Penh government should know that the world has changed and no third country wants to get involved or support another country in a war against its neighbour, especially if nothing would be gained by that third country.

A key point in the conflicts between Thailand and Cambodia has been the demarcation of the disputed 4.6-square-kilometre overlapping area. The issue is unlikely to be settled unless border demarcation is finished.

Examples from other countries with similar border problems can be used as a model.

Until the problems are resolved, both countries must abide by their commitment and exercise restraint. This will surely take time, but a victory from the process will likely last longer than one derived from war.

source bangkok post

Gunfire at the border

Foreign Minister Sompong Amornvivat urged Thai nationals in Cambodia to leave for home immediately after a Wednesday afternoon military battle along the disputed border left two Cambodian soldiers dead.

"Thai businessmen who have no need to be in Cambodia now, please rush back to Thailand," Sompong told reporters.

"We have our evacuation plan ready," he added.

In the Northeast, officials told residents of the border to be ready to move out quickly in case hostilities resume and escalate.

Thai and Cambodian troops fired rockets and small arms at each other for about 10 minutes at the border of Kantalak district, Si Sa Ket province at around 2.30pm.

The incident reportedly occurred three kilometres from Phreah Vihear temple, and at the site of an Oct 3 clash which left two Thai soldiers and one Cambodian wounded. Thailand issued an official protest to the Cambodian government over that alleged border incursion.

Cambodian army commander Brig Gen Yim Pim said fighting had "paused" after the battle, as commanders tried to negotiate a cease-fire.

Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat said the two countries' foreign ministers were talking. Both sides said they wanted a peaceful resolution. "Cambodia is a good neighbor. We will use peaceful means. If there is violence, we have to negotiate," he said.

Cambodia’s Preah Vihear governor Prieb Tan claimed that Thailand started shooting at the Cambodian army first. Thai army spokesman Sansern Kaewkamnerd, meanwhile, claimed that Cambodian soldiers started the shooting first by firing about seven to eight shots onto the Thai soil so Thai soldiers had to defend themselves by firing them back using small weapons.

According to Col Sansern, four Thai army rangers were wounded while one Cambodian soldier was killed in the incident.

On Tuesday, Col Sansern reiterated that Thailand would not shoot first, but warned that Thai troops were ready if Cambodian forces encroach into Thailand. The Thai army is ready to confront any incident to protect the country’s sovereignty, he said.

Meanwhile, Thailand put air force fighter jets and C-130 transport planes on alert. The C-130s have been used in a previous operation to bring Thais back home from Phnom Penh.

"Normally we have fighter jets on stand-by at various regional headquarters ready for operation within five minutes, but under the current circumstances we have increased our readiness," Grp Capt Montol Suchookorn was quoted by the AFP news agency.

source bangkok post

Police chief is sorry for riot

The Commissioner-General of the Royal Thai Police, Pol Gen Patcharawat Wongsuwan, expressed his grief over the police’s effort to disperse the crowd of protesters in front of the parliament on October 7.

On the occasion of the National Police Day on Monday, Pol Gen Patcharawat paid homage to King Rama IV Monument and made merit for the policemen and people who died during the riot last week.

After the religious ceremony, the national police chief said he felt sorry about the incident on October 7, which left two dead and over 400 injured.

He then reminded the police to continue to work at their utmost, protect the royal institution and democracy, and be dependable for the public.

Concerning the People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD)’s plan to file a lawsuit against the police for allegedly using forceful means to disperse the demonstrators, Pol Gen Patcharawat said the government will have to take care of its state agencies, but the investigation result must be revealed first.

Meanwhile at the Royal Thai Police Headquarters on Rama I Road, about 500 people led by former Police Department director Salang Boonnag gathered at the main entrance to voice their support to the police.

Pol Gen Salang said he has not withdrawn the plan to take over Government House from the PAD and return to the government. He insisted no matter what happen after the operation, he will take the full responsibility.

Pol Gen Salang said he could not bear to see Thailand losing its reputation.

source bangkok post