Embarrassing trio

24/10/2009
Post Bag (Letter to the Bangkok Post)
Bankok Post

Re: ''Chavalit's trip raises tension,'' Bangkok Post editorial, Oct 23, 2009. The news about Gen Chavalit Yongchaiyudh claiming that Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen is happy to provide his country as a haven for the fugitive from Thai justice, Thaksin Shinawatra, should not embarrass the two countries more than those three individuals themselves. Why?

First, it is an open secret that Thaksin and Hun Sen have been closely linked ever since Thaksin was not yet Thailand's prime minister. Both Thaksin and Hun Sen have been rumoured to have had vested interests while serving their countries. The only difference is that Thaksin was ousted by a coup in 2006 while Hun Sen's hold on power remains intact.

Second, Gen Chavalit's claim that Hun Sen's wife cried for Thaksin's disgrace was misconstrued and inaccurate because, during her visit to Bangkok while Thaksin was in power, she was received lavishly, beyond her expectations. This is a personal feeling and has nothing to do with Thaksin being right or wrong, good or bad.

Third, if Hun Sen has said what Chavalit claims he has said (that Cambodia is prepared to shelter Thaksin), then Hun Sen has confessed for the first time that he and Thaksin have been putting their heads together for something very fishy - something that could be bad for Cambodia and Thailand's longstanding relations - but good for the two only.

Thaksin Shinawatra may have thought he made the wisest decision in choosing Gen Chavalit as his right-hand man in Thailand. He should think again. Even I am embarrassed every time people hear my name and ask: ''Not that Chavalit, are you?

CHAVALIT VAN
Chiang Mai

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