Another thing that people tend to forget, even in local media, that current Thaksin’s exile is not directly related to the coup …

Oh puhlease. This is just eccentric.

(BD: OK guys that’s the last tit for tat. Back to substance!)

BBC routinely presents him as self-exiled after 2006 coup.

In only one day, Hun Sen has achieved the following:

- Admitted that he was provoking political tensions between neighboring countries for personal reasons – ”The problem with Thai-Cambodia relations is really a problem between myself and Khun Abhisit (Vejjajiva), the prime minister of Thailand” – instead of acting in the national interest of Cambodia or in the common interest of both countries.

- Violated international law: the refusal to even consider the extradition request and forward it to a Cambodian court is a blatant violation of international law. Clearly, if Hun Sen really believes that Cambodia has grounds to refuse extradition, then why does he not allow the process to follow its natural course and forward it to a Cambodian court?

- Tried to draw neighboring countries into the dispute by claiming: ”He (PM Abhisit) has problems with all his neighbors, including Laos, Cambodia, Malaysia and Burma.”

- Insulted Thailand and its justice system by declaring, ”There is nothing in the Thai judicial system that is worth respecting.”

- Insulted Thailand’s Prime Minister: ”You’ve stolen somebody else’s chair to seat yourself in. You claim other people’s property as your own. How can we respect that?”

- Showed his current contempt for Thailand: ”What does Thailand have that Cambodia has to respect?”

- Showed his eternal contempt for Thailand: ”Where was Thailand during the Angkor era? They claimed that Cambodia trespassed into Thai territory, but how could we? Study your history and see who the aggressor is.”

- Insulted everybody’s intelligence: ”Thailand is evidently attacking Cambodia.”

No doubt, the events of 2003 warranted the border closing. But at that time violence was simply the act of some angry and misinformed Cambodian people. In 2009, it is Hun Sen, the leader of Cambodia, who is acting the thug.

This cannot be tolerated. It is time for Thailand to adopt the toughest diplomatic stance: sever all diplomatic ties with Cambodia.

CANDIDE

BangkokDan

Thai government should also respond to “overwhelmingly and democratically elected” part in Cambodian official response – Thaksin lost that mandate when he dissolved the parliament, and he publicly promised not to assume premiership again.

It is par for the anti-Thaksin course to bend the truth until it fits in respect of this gentleman. Have seen this ad-nauseam on ThaiVisa.

Saying white is green don’t make it so, however much we may think it ought to be so.

(BD: But you can say yellow is green, na?)

Today’s issues are different, today’s he’s reacting to refusal to extradite Thaksin.

If he plays it cool he can drive home the point that the extradition is the issue, not Thaksin’s role as an economic advisor, as Hun Sen mistakenly thinks. It’s a lot harder for Hun Sen to justify extradition refusal than talk about relatively innocent advising role.

Thai government should also respond to “overwhelmingly and democratically elected” part in Cambodian official response – Thaksin lost that mandate when he dissolved the parliament, and he publicly promised not to assume premiership again.

All in all, Abhisit can just really ignore Hun Sen – it doesn’t hurt him in any way, his approval rate soared, and there was no real harm done. It would be far more difficult for Hun Sen, far more difficult to get relationships back to normal, and an apology would be a minimum.

http://www.bangkokpost.com/breakingnews/159859/pm-calls-for-unity-and-patience

Which (inter-alia) means that Abhisit shouted and foamed at the mouth and got all hysterical and then got his ass kicked. So now he thinks shouting is not the answer. It’s always interesting and useful to see Thais taught a lesson in how to behave.

I must say when I read this piece I chortled a chortle. Everyone knows the cognitive dissonance that Thais are afflicted with as a consequence of being able to be aware of the facts but believe something at complete variance to the facts. But in this piece, Abhisit shows just how ludicrous it can all get when taking to extremes.

In contrast, for him to then say there is no good reason to change the political situation seems sincere. Setting aside the extraordinary dishonesty and humbug, if I were in his shoes wouldn’t want to risk an election either.

He’s the clear winner so far, and the Thai government have acted predictably stupidly (as usual).

Why doesn’t the Thai govt just ignore the man.

Recalling an ambassador because of a fugitive implies that that fugitive is recognized on a state-to-state level.

The fugitive throws them a bait, and they fall all over it. Thaksin couldn’t wish for better PR.

He’s playing them exactly the way he intended to.

Again, Bangkok should just ignore the man.

Mighty Thailand, little Cambodia, who has lost face?

BangkokDan

If a neighbor shits on your lawn, it’s not called a victory.

The thing is, Thailand can just ignore Cambodia altogether, it’s a lot easier to send an ambassador back then apologize for your own words, if there’s ever going to be a settlement.

Thailand can close the embassy, severe all diplomatic relationships – it costs nothing to restore them in terms of dignity. What is Hun Sen going to do to make it possible?