Just as every Thai schoolchild is taught about the supposed “lost territories” (to Cambodia which include Siem Reap amazingly enough, the historic center of Cambodia), so every Cambodian school child is taught about the “lost territories” to Thailand (which include much of Isan for instance which as we all know has many Hindu Khmer temples scattered about). Every Cambodia schoolchild is also taught the history of Thailand during World War II, when in alliance with Japan, Thailand seized large chunks of present day Cambodia, including Siem Reap, and declared these areas to be part of Thailand, only to return them under duress once Japan had surrendered.

The history of Thailand-Cambodia relations goes back many hundreds of years and a lot of it is not very “pretty,” much less what might be called “beautiful,” including the shameful multi-year alliance between Thailand and its military with Pol Pot and the Khmer Rouge.

Does Hun Sent Want to Play in Our Political Sandbox?

Key quotes:

The Cambodian prime minister’s attempt to liken Thaksin to Mrs Suu Kyi as both were victims of separate military coups in Thailand and Burma was simplistic and ignorant of the huge difference in characteristics and dedication to democracy between the two people, not to mention the political backgrounds leading to their overthrow.

Hun Sen insisted his remarks about Thaksin did not constitute interference in Thailand’s domestic affairs. He was quoted to have said: “This is just moral support from me. As one million Thai people of the red shirt group support Thaksin, why can’t I, as a friend from afar, support Thaksin?”

As a shrewd politician who has survived in Cambodian politics for decades while many of his arch-rivals have all lost out or faded into oblivion, I don’t think Hun Sen needs coaching.

BangkokDan

What I’m not sure is where Cambodian people come into this, and what kind of Cambodian people – those who adore or abhor him? Or those who post on Cambodian blogs and forums?

In regard to “established diplomatic principles,” what “principles” were applied when it came to the Thai Army supplying Pol Pot with weapons, money and a fortified compound/command post in Trat as what remained of his blood-soaked army killed, tortured and murdered more thousands of people in Cambodia … I don’t think that is a collective memory the Cambodians are going to forget anytime soon …

By established diplomatic principles he is way out of line and is turning himself into a pariah, arrogant and uncivilized.

By his own measurements he is doing well, and Abhisit is lagging far behind.

Of course Abhisit will never stoop down to his level and threaten to tear up maps and shoot people and openly take sides in Cambodian domestic politics, but at some point he will have to recognize the pressure from offended Thais and do something about it.

Hun Sen must be dealt with one way or another, though for the time being letting him destroy his international reputation is probably enough.