The Wimp (Abhisit), The Bully (Hun Sen) and The Traitor (Chavalit): Characters for a new Thai-Cambodian soap opera?October 27, 2009
By Sopon Onkgara
The Nation
Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva tried hard not to be perceived as a wimp after his Cambodian counterpart, big bully Hun Sen, stole the thunder before the Asean Summit over the weekend, with an affirmation that he would provide refuge to fugitive former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.
The first slap in the face was felt. Then came another blow to the other cheek. Hun Sen insolently declared that he would not abide by the extradition treaty agreement with Thailand. Interpretation of the pact would be based on his own opinion.
Such a hostile gesture is so unbecoming of a guest invited to participate in a significant meeting, attended by Asian national leaders, including from major powers such as China and Japan. Hun Sen himself might not find it easy to rub shoulders with people from the civilised world after spending half his life in jungles and around the Khmer Rouge killing fields. That's why, when the opportunity came, he tried to make the most of it, making his presence felt, if not shocking fellow Asean members and especially dialogue partners.
Those familiar with Hun Sen's unwashed manners have not been surprised. His act was fully intentional and prepared well in advance, with a team of news reporters tipped in advance about his willingness to exhibit his flair for bullying.
Abhisit just tried to put on a brave face. During their formal handshake, he failed to conceal his current view of Hun Sen. The younger man, groomed with finesse at Eton and Oxford, tried hard to put up with the Cambodian leader, a cut-throat in his own right from his years with the Khmer Rouge.
Hun Sen offers to provide protection to Thaksin, who can live in a luxury mansion in Phnom Penh and do whatever he pleases. The Cambodian leader regards the Thai fugitive as an eternal friend indeed, whose personal significance outweighs Cambodia's overall relations with Thailand.
Thaksin is a billionaire. Such a man will be welcome in a not-so-civilised society that respects money more than honesty and clean hands. As the saying goes, there is no honour among thieves, and this particular case provides proof of that.
Abhisit had to show what he felt about Hun Sen's confident remarks. But instead of a direct strike at the Cambodian leader, Abhisit chose instead to criticise Gen Chavalit Yongchaiyud for his role in subverting national security by acting as a dangerous liaison to enable Thaksin to stay in Cambodia - just a stone's throw from the Thai jail to which the disgraced billionaire has been sentenced by the Supreme Court.
Hun Sen's offer to provide refuge to Thaksin is a display of contempt for the Supreme Court's verdict.
Abhisit was too soft on Hun Sen, despite the insult. It isn't certain whether he wants to be Mr Manners, with complete diplomatic nicety, or just a confirmed wimp, as jeered by his critics.
Maybe Abhisit needs more time to muster enough courage, and also to seek a prudent way in which to deal with this rough man. Hun Sen does not care about diplomatic civility when he wants to get messages across to neighbours. But Abhisit should not take longer than is necessary to reply, now that the country's dignity has been trampled over by the Cambodian hotshot.
Hun Sen might not have been this arrogant if it were not for some sort of assurance given during his huddling with Chavalit, who visited Phnom Penh prior to Hun Sen's arrival in Thailand for the Asean Summit. The former Thai prime minister had been warned by General Prem Tinsulanonda, president of the Privy Council, that he should be careful about his political role, as he could be perceived as a traitor in some quarters.
Not long after the echo of that warning had faded, Chavalit did exactly what he was warned against - not caring about what people say or think about him. A public opinion poll showed a high rate of disapproval. But this is a time when many people could be regarded as traitors, especially with more than 50 retired generals becoming members of the Pheu Thai Party, commanded by Thaksin.
They are retired military men who have turned themselves into soldiers of fortune. They cannot resist the smell of Thaksin's money. Never mind their earlier pledge about loyalty to the nation's revered institutions. The Thaksin crowd openly sides with Hun Sen, forgetting that they are Thais and supposed to be loyal to the country of their birth.
What we can expect from now on is a messy future in the political, economic and social sectors. Chavalit's pack of old soldiers and politicians loyal to Thaksin, and the red shirts, will engage in a dangerous power game with the Abhisit government. The coalition has become a direct target for toppling by whatever means possible, via the power of Thaksin's money.
Hun Sen is laughing in Phnom Penh. The episode confirms his belief that not just Cambodians have been perceived as traitors; some old soldiers and politicians in Thailand are just as bad themselves.
Abhisit is fighting a war on two fronts. The most dangerous enemies are the ones who also live in this land.
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