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Abhisit won't cut troops

Khmer pullout from temple 'a tactical ploy'

• Published: 14/11/2009 at 12:00 AM
• Newspaper section: News

Thailand will not dance to Cambodia's tune by withdrawing troops from the disputed Preah Vihear temple area, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva says.

Mr Abhisit said yesterday more pressure would be put on Cambodia next week.
Cambodia's removal of troops from the area was just a tactical ploy, he said. Phnom Penh wanted to give the appearance there were no problems relating to its plans to develop the ancient Hindu temple as a World Heritage site.

"It is their plan and we are not going in that direction," Mr Abhisit said, after a meeting with Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya.

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen ordered the withdrawal of the 911 special forces unit from its post at the temple. The pullout ceremony was held in Siem Reap yesterday where Hun Sen and fomer Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra met with 60 Puea Thai Party MPs and other Thaksin supporters.

The troop withdrawal came amid increasing tensions between the two neighbours which have escalated since Hun Sen appointed Thaksin as an economic adviser to his government and also his personal adviser. The ensuing diplomatic spat worsened on Thursday when Cambodia expelled a senior Thai envoy, which caused Mr Kasit to cut short his visit to Singapore.

Mr Abhisit said the government was reviewing projects with Cambodia and some of them might be put forward to the cabinet for consideration next week.

He said the government was not distracted by the diplomatic spat with Cambodia and its diplomatic response was in line with proper procedure.

"There is nothing special about this because we have more important things to do," he said.

Mr Abhisit said the government would take appropriate diplomatic measures against Cambodia.

"We will not take action in haste. The steps we are to take must guarantee results," he said.

The government is reviewing a 1.4 billion baht soft loan for a road project linking Surin province to Siem Reap.

He said Cambodia's actions were intentionally provocative.

"Partly this is because they [Hun Sen and Thaksin] need each other," he said.

Mr Abhisit said the Thai-Cambodian rift was not serious enough to close the Thai embassy in Phnom Penh.

Mr Abhisit scoffed at Thaksin's remarks that the government was promoting a false sense of patriotism.

"We have not. The sentiment is stirred by Thaksin's actions which are found unacceptable and against the nation's interests," he said.

Thaksin told Puea Thai MPs who visited him in Siem Reap last night the withdrawal of Cambodian troops was down to his friendship with Hun Sen.

Hun Sen told the MPs that he was devastated by Thaksin's fate.

"He is a great asset to Thailand but he has no place to stay. He doesn't even have a passport from his own country," he was quoted as saying.

Hun Sen also said "Cambodia would not interfere in Thailand's internal affairs and the appointment of Thaksin would foster 'unprecedented' relationship between the two countries."

Relations between Thai and Cambodian soldiers deployed in the disputed area seem to have remained undisturbed by the diplomatic flare-up.

Sgt Maj 1st Class Jongrak Taenhom, who is among 10 Thai soldiers deployed near Wat Kaew Sikha Khiri, said there was no tension between Thai and Cambodian soldiers.

"We eat together. We talk. There is no strain or tension. And now they have pulled out, so there is nothing to be tense about," he said.



And there is this in PPT -

New: Sneaky Cambodians

Those damned sneaky Cambodians have withdrawn troops form the border near the Preah Vihear temple area.

Fortunately, according to the Bangkok Post (14 November 2009: “Abhisit won’t cut troops”), Thai premier Abhisit Vejjajiva is not fooled by the sneaky Cambodians and their ploys.

Abhisit understands their tricks and he won’t allow Thailand to be duped. Indeed, Thailand will put “more pressure on Cambodia next week.” Having huddled with the likes of Kasit Piromya, Abhisit knows that the Cambodians are in a corner and this is the time to pressure them. Abhisit said the government was reviewing projects with Cambodia and some of them might be put forward to the cabinet for consideration next week.

He said the government was not distracted by the diplomatic spat with Cambodia and its diplomatic response was in line with proper procedure.
By withdrawing his troops, the devious Hun Sen was taking yet another action that fits a pattern that Abhisit characterized as “intentionally provocative.” This was clear to all.

So conniving are the Cambodians that: “Relations between Thai and Cambodian soldiers deployed in the disputed area seem to have remained undisturbed by the diplomatic flare-up.” One soldier said that: “We eat together. We talk. There is no strain or tension. And now they have pulled out, so there is nothing to be tense about…”.

It must be difficult for the brains trust at the Democrat Party and in its government to deal with such devious bastards.

Warwick

I take my hat off to the Thai government.

After Thaksin's spell in power, with his numerous abuses of position and cronyism, it must have seemed a difficult task for anyone to be able to portray him as a wise and statesmanlike leader but Abhisit and his advisers have risen to the task magnificently.

the dogcatcher

Does,nt have a passport. It's because he's a criminal you cretin.

dirtydog

Those nasty devious Cambodians trying to trick the Thais, they probably have weapons of mass destruction aswell, was Mark really educated in England? He's a fuking embarrassment to the English education system.

Panda

Now Thaksin has left Cambodia, and the Cambo troops have withdrawn from the disputed temple site, its taken the wind out of Abhisits sails. He is only preaching to the converted anyway. Hun Sen/Thaksin 1 vs Abhisit 0.
Its all left Abhisit looking like a bit of a fool with his political chest thumping and threats intended to stir up nationalistic fervour against Cambodia. Yet he keeps digging the hole deeper on advice from his minders. No wonder he is scared to face the people in an election.

Smug Farang Bore

Thats no ordinary rabbit - he ll do you pal... RUN AWAY..! RUN AWAY...!

StrontiumDog

Panda, you seem to possess a rather myopic view of proceedings...and have certainly bought into the hype. A game is being played, but Thaksin's position isn't stronger. Nothings changed in Thailand. If anything Thaksin's position is weaker. The Thai's I've talked to seem to think he's a blithering idiot.

__________________
Eat plutonium death, mutant scum...

Smug Farang Bore

^ n they should know one when they see one...!

StrontiumDog

Damn straight bro!

Panda

Would seem an ideal time for Abhisit to call an election then if your view is correct.

Oh, but thats right. He is waiting for "stability" to return to the country before he faces the people. In other words, -- suppress the masses and eliminate the opposition.

benbaaa

There was a quote missing from the original piece.

EmperorTud

It is the only way he'll ever be elected, and he and his supporters know it.

Conversely many I have spoke to think he's too clever for Abhisit.

Panda

Abhisit is just a puppet for the old oligarchical elitist regime. But he picked a side to get into power and now he has to follow their fascist line. Something not to good if you want to legitimately get elected in a democratic system. He has no choice but to keep digging the hole deeper or he will surely be replaced.

StrontiumDog

Panda, I don't disagree with you as such, because I'm kind of anti both sides. I abhor Thaksin, but equally I've not much good to say about the current bunch of smucks.

As a westerner I don't feel any need to pick a side. Something others seem to struggle with..

I see faults where they exist...and there's plenty to see!

Abhisit will cling to power as long as possible, as it stands now he will more than likely lose, but the horrifying possibility of the Pheu Thai party and red shirted sycophants gaining power makes me want to throw up.

crippen

Sounds a bit like the UK political scene to me .Very troubling.

Bettyboo

Abhisit will not possibly be democratically elected - the Thai masses see through him, and hate him...

Ironically enough, he could have become a good politician (maybe) if he had chosen the democratic route.

Plan B

Takky's playing an interesting game.

It'll be fun to watch. Is it part of a larger plan, or his last ditch effort to stay in the limelight?


Politics in Western countries rarely ever gets this interesting.

Panda

You can throw up if you think it will make a difference.
Ultimately its up to the Thai people to decide who will run their country under a democratic system. And the trend in the will of the people over recent years has been towards a more fair and equitable society over the military/elite class oligarchy. Doesn't matter who leads the government so much as their underlying political philosophy. What it comes down to in Thailand is oligarchy Vs democracy.
Thaksin saw the road to power was through democracy. Abhisits crowd saw the road to power was through a military coup to overthrow the democratically elected government. No one can turn back the hands of time, but the only way to clear the slate and start again is to put it to the vote of the people. Something Abhisit and his military/elite class minders are loathe to do.
Its a competition between democracy and a defacto fascist military dictatorship.
But the walls are closing in on the old ruling class elite. After the last military coup to remove the peoples choice of government such tactics are losing their credibility as the people become more educated and less submissive.

Thailand is at a turning point in their history.
The choice for the ruling class elite/military alliance is clear, --- either go the way of Burma or let democracy take its course. Warts and all. This thing is a lot bigger than Thaksin Vs Abhisit.

StrontiumDog

Panda, anyone with a pulse knows this already (I'm a little shocked you feel the need to repeat it), but red shirted cronyism doesn't help democracy, it hinders it.

cambtek

Hun sen is playing with the thais and they know it.
Fancy withdrawing troops at the moment-master stroke.
Hun sen is a better pollie than anyone in thailand,except maybe thaksin.
But did you see hun sens swing the other day at siem riep-embarrassing!