Two pilots who allowed their passenger jet to overshoot its destination by 150 miles last week have told investigators that they lost concentration because they were using their laptop computers in the cockpit.
In an admission that will strike fear into the heart of frequent flyers everywhere, the men in charge of Northwest Airlines flight 188 from San Diego to Minneapolis revealed that they were operating the machines during a discussion about crew scheduling.
As a result, the plane, which was carrying 147 passengers, lost contact with air traffic control for over an hour. It had passed Minnesota and was drifting over Wisconsin at 37,000 feet before anyone on the flight deck noticed.
The National Transportation Safety Board, which is compiling a report into the incident, said both pilots vehemently denied speculation that they fell asleep, and instead insisted that they had simply "lost track of time" while working out their new work timetables.
"There was a concentrated period of discussion where they did not monitor the airplane or calls from [air traffic controllers] even though both stated they heard conversation on the radio," said the Board, after interviewing the pair for five hours on Sunday.
Homeland Security was closely tracking the Airbus A320 during the incident amid fears that it had been hijacked, and four National Guard jets were put on standby to shoot it down should it venture near to a major conurbation.
However the two pilots, who are both said to have been in the job for many years, only realised they had overshot their final destination when an air hostess knocked on the cockpit door and asked what the flight's estimated arrival time was.
Realising the extent of their mistake, the men immediately contacted air-traffic controllers for permission to turn around, saying during radio conversation that they had suffered "cockpit distraction". The plane then landed without further incident in Minneapolis.
They were both suspended from duty, pending the outcome of investigations said Delta Air Lines, which recently bought Northwest. Customers are unlikely to be reassured by the fact that the takeover in question is said to have led to the introduction of the new staffing rota that prompted the pilots to both get their laptops out.
Delta added in a written statement the use of laptops or "engaging in activity unrelated to" flying violates company policy. Both men could eventually be fired, a spokesman added.
Pilots who flew 150 miles past airport were using laptops
Monday, October 26, 2009Author Chantha Tan Announces Publication of 3 New Books
Chantha Tan Announces Publication of 3 New Books Describing a Magical and Divine Experience. The River of Wisdom Books
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PRLog (Press Release) – Oct 23, 2009 – Vero Beach, FL - From the midst of the forgotten people seeking to flee the Killing Fields of Cambodia to a posh California neighborhood of the stars, author Chantha Tan has traveled many roads. Immigrating to the United States at the age of 17, she quickly learned the ways of her adopted country, became a successful business woman, married well, and bore two healthy and happy children.
Change descended on Chantha’s hard won privileged and orderly life with the onset of a persistent and debilitating headache for which numerous medical tests and doctor’s visits could produce no diagnosis. In excruciating pain that left her body curled up in a fetal position, unable to focus or function, Chantha was forced to turn over her work to others, step back, and attempt to regain her equilibrium through an extended rest period.
Chantha’s headache vanished one sunlit summer morning in California as quickly as it had onset. “My lesson about life wisdom started on that day in my backyard.” Chantha explains in her first book River of Wisdom: Process to Living Under Grace, published by AuthorHouse and available at booksellers or online at www.riverofwisdom.net . The headache was replaced by a deep and pure consciousness that flowed into Chantha’s mind and heart, startling and refreshing her with its powerful truths.
“I sat by myself and the life wisdom just flowed through me. I asked a question when there was something I didn’t understand. The answer and explanation would arrive, usually right away, and something letting me know where to find it,” Chantha writes.
In October of 2008, Chantha was called to write a book containing the newfound wisdom that channeled through her. “I still had no clue how I was to write a book about this subject matter. I’ve never written a book before. English is my second language,” she reveals.
Within a month, Chantha’s life was further disrupted when it became clear to her that the new life wisdom she was receiving required her to vacate California immediately and move to Florida. Deciding to move in January when her children’s school exams would be finished, her decision was confirmed by the sudden re-location of a tenant, who had been renting a home she owned in Florida.
Chantha had purchased her Florida rental property on a whim and only actually seen it for a few hours when she signed the purchase agreement. Nevertheless, she packed up her life in California and flew East with her children to Florida. The three weary travelers arrived at the remote Fellsmere farm property, with no furniture or water turned on, late one evening via rental car. They had only a couple of sleeping bags and the clothes carried in their suitcases.
“Our first day on the property we woke up surprised, greeted by two horses and one very large pig. We were scared and had to call the sheriff to rescue us from the greeters. It turned out to be a very adventurous first day on the farm. We had never lived on a farm before isolated from big suburbs,” Chantha writes.
In March of 2009, Chantha received the inspirations that led her to begin writing River of Wisdom, her first book. During the six month period that followed, Chantha completed River of Wisdom and wrote two more books, Humanity Under Siege in the 21st Century & Why? and Heaven is for Sale Now!: Since Hellven is on its Way Out in the 21st Century Period!
In addition to the books, Chantha offers free classes and is available for speaking engagements for those interested in learning more about the life wisdom that has touched her life. For further information contact (772) 202-0887, email info@riverofwisdom.net or go to www.riverofwisdom.net.
Press/Media Contact
River of Wisdom Team
(772) 202-0887
prteam@riverofwisdom.net
http://www.riverofwisdom.net
# # #
River of Wisdom publishes books and gives classes to help all humanity. All books and teachings are by author Chantha Tan.
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Government Considers Reducing Military, Police [-Eliminating Brigade B-70 is essential!]
Brigade B-70: Several thousands troops just for the protection of one man!By Sok Khemara, VOA Khmer
Original report from Washington
26 October 2009
Cambodia is preparing to retired 3,000 soldiers this year, in a bid to continue the reform of its security forces, a senior official said Thursday.
“There has been some preparation, and there is the possibility we will do it this year,” Defense Minister Tea Banh told VOA Khmer.
Cambodia hopes to eventually reduce its forces from 200,000 to 80,000.
About 100,000 soldiers are ready to retire, Tea Banh said, but the government lacks the budget to fund their retirement.
Rank, title and other details for the retirees have not been publicly released.
An infantry officer, speaking on condition of anonymity, said about 1,600 infantry personnel due to be retired, from either disability or age. About 20 military advisers are due to be retired soon, the official said.
The latest defense White Paper, published on the Ministry of Defense’s Web site, says the government has largely completely the demobilization of army personnel.
“Although 15,000 personnel, the number intended for demobilization in phase two, remain to be demobilized, the current figure represents a significant reduction compared to the approximately 165,000 personnel serving before1999,” according to the White Paper.
The five-year plan of the government calls for the demobilization of 30,000 soldiers, starting in May 2000, with a budget from donors of $45 million, but the plan was delayed until mid-2003.
Tea Banh said this year’s retirement is not budgeted through donor assistance.
The infantry officer said many soldiers want to retire, in exchange with an offer of land and money from the government.
In years past, Cambodia spent up to 30 percent of its budget for defense and national security. In 2009, defense was budgeted for $160 million of a total $1.8 billion
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Cambodia Ranked 117 in Press Freedom, a Slight Improvement
By Men Kimseng, VOA Khmer
Original report from Washington
26 October 2009
Cambodia was ranked No. 117 of 175 countries, an improvement from its No. 126 position last year, which came from the murder of an opposition journalist and his son ahead of a national election.
However, at least one opposition journalist was jailed in 2009, following reporting on corruption within the powerful Council of Ministers.
Journalists worldwide suffer from murder, imprisonment and the threat of revoked license, Reporters Without Borders said. In countries like Burma, China, North Korea and Vietnam, still restrict access to the Internet, the group said.
The report confirms a statement made by Marcus Brauchli, executive editor of the Washington Post, earlier this month.
“Some governments inevitably attempt to the unnatural and try to suppress the growth of journalism,” he said. “The Russian government has forced most of its news agency operations into the government’s hand, and many, far too many, good journalists have been assassinated with impunity.
“Until recently, Zimbabwe intimidated, imprisoned and induced to leave the country both foreign and local journalists and may still up to date,” he continued. “In Cambodia, a journalist and his son were murdered after writing critical articles of the government and a publisher was imprisoned and fined for disinformation and for dishonoring public officials.”
However, Pen Samithy, president of the Club of Cambodian Journalists, said journalists in the country are still able to do their work.
“According to my observation, the overall concern that journalists have does not prevent them from reflecting the truth,” he told VOA Khmer. “This means that every day journalists work with a higher responsibility to making improvements in the quality of journalism in Cambodia.”
Meanwhile, journalists who perform their jobs in the face of oppression have not gone unrecognized.
Peter Mackler, a former journalist for Agence France-Presse, died in June 2008 at 58, suffering an apparent heart attack after working in journalism for more than 30 years. As a reporter and editor, Mackler covered the Gulf War in 1991; conflicts in Bosnia, Kosovo and Afghanistan; the Palestinian intifada; the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks in New York; and George W. Bush’s presidency.
He trained journalists in some developing countries like Lebanon, Iran, Malaysia and Cyprus. He also trained VOA Khmer staff.
In memory of Mackler’s work, his family and friends set up the “Peter Mackler Award” to honor courageous and ethical journalists. The first winner was a Sri Lankan journalist sentenced to 20 years in jail for inciting “communal disharmony.”
“I am delighted to hear that you are honoring Peter’s legacy by recognizing courageous and ethical journalists with the Peter Mackler Award,” former US secretary of state Condoleeza Rice said in a letter to organizers. “Throughout his distinguished thirty-three year career in journalism, Peter was a champion of the freedom of the press who fought tirelessly to defend the rights of reporters to publish stories without fear of retribution.”
In Cambodia, Hang Chakra, publisher of the opposition Khmer Machas Srok newspaper, remains in jail for an article dishonoring a senior government official.
Reporters Without Borders has also appealed for his release.
This year’s ranking puts Cambodia above neighboring Thailand, which was ranked No. 130.
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Cambodian PM 'was misinformed'
October 27, 2009
By Supalak Ganjanakhundee
The Nation
"I understand that Prime Minister Hun Sen made such remarks because he was misinformed about Thaksin and the whole situation in Thailand, so we have to give him the facts," Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya said yesterday.
Hun Sen said upon his arrival at the Asean Summit that he would offer Thaksin refuge in Cambodia and appoint him as an adviser. He said Thaksin was a victim of political changes in the wake of the 2006 coup.
"We will tell him what happened in Thailand over the past three years and that his many trials have nothing to do with the coup," Kasit said.
The letter would not be an argument or condemnation of Hun Sen but just a plain description of Thaksin, the political situation and Thailand's justice system, he said.
Many criminal cases arose before the coup and asset concealment actually took place only within Thaksin's family, he said.
Hun Sen's invitation to Thaksin threw more fuel on the fire after the two countries have faced off over the controversial Preah Vihear Temple for over a year.
The government had Deputy PM Suthep Thaugsuban explain the matter to Hun Sen during his two-night stay in Thailand.
The foreign ministry would make the clarification and send it through diplomatic channels to him again within a week to make sure he gets the right picture, Kasit said.
While declining to interpret Hun Sen's move, Kasit said his government would simply regard the incident as the Cambodian premier, who is an old friend of Thaksin, just getting the wrong idea.
Kasit rejected a demand by a group of senators to retaliate against Hun Sen since the two governments have promised to jointly develop their countries and not to bring up internal politics.
"We don't allow a minor thing to jeopardise the entire relationship," he said.
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Ball is in Cambodia's court, PM says
October 27, 2009
The Nation
His remark suggests it's up to Prime Minister Hun Sen to strengthen bilateral ties or allow them to suffer after the verbal spat between him and Abhiisit over the weekend.
Speaking to Nation Multimedia Group's editor-in-chief Suthichai Yoon on the World Pulse TV show - being aired nationwide this evening, Abhisit said there would be no diplomatic protest or recalling of Thai ambassadors at this point in time.
Diplomatic relations went into a tailspin last week after Hun Sen said his "old friend" Thaksin Shinawatra, the former Thai PM, would be welcome to live in Cambodia.
Hun Sen said he would not extradite Thaksin to face prison terms in Thailand because he considered his crimes were political in nature. He later said he would make the fugitive premier an economic adviser.
Hun Sen made the statement shortly after arriving in Thailand to attend the 15th Asean Summit in Cha-am over the weekend.
Abhisit said Hun Sen needed to hear all the facts before any conclusion could be reached. The Cambodian needed to know what laws Thaksin had violated and then decide as to whether the former PM should be sent back to Thailand, if and when he arrives in
Cambodia.
Abhisit dismissed suggestion that Hun Sen's remarks spoiled the Asean Summit, hosted by Thailand in Hua Hin and Cha-am over the past weekend. The PM said he was satisfied with the outcome of the summit.
No other leaders at the summit asked about Hun Sen's statement, Abhisit said.
When asked about Chavalit Yongchaiyudh's trip to Phnom Penh, which sparked Hun Sen's remarks, Abhisit suggested the Pheu Thai politician needed to re-evaluate whether his actions had hurt or helped relations with Cambodia.
Abhisit said he was willing to talk to Thaksin about national reconciliation provided the fugitive premier returned to the country and accepted findings from the country's justice system, which had convicted him of fraud and corruption.
"If he is not willing to abide by our law then what's the use of talking to him?" he asked.
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What is Hun Sen fishing for?
October 27, 2009
By Avudh Panananda
The Nation
The Heenes family grabbed worldwide attention by floating an odd-looking balloon and making the spectacle of a six-year-old boy trapped inside it.
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen used Pheu Thai Party adviser Chavalit Yongchaiyudh as a conduit to talk about his buddy-buddy ties with fugitive ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra.
The balloon boy incident was exposed as a sham as soon as the balloon ran out of hot air. The brouhaha about the political threesome will not outlast the hot air coming out of Hun Sen's mouth.
Unlike the balloon-boy incident, which ended up as a joke, Thai and Cambodian citizens may find themselves in the predicament of a dealing with a sick joke that causes unwarranted concern over the mutual interests of the two neighbouring countries.
Thaksin, Chavalit and Hun Sen have undoubtedly tried to gain their respective advantages. But are they striving to serve Cambodia and Thailand or individual agendas?
It is a myth that the Thaksin-Hun Sen ties go back decades. The two were never close before Thaksin came to power in 2001.
Chavalit, though a self-proclaimed expert on Cambodian affairs, has never had a personal bond with Hun Sen. He relied on his aide Wichit Yathip to arrange his trip last week to Phnom Penh.
Wichit, in turn, works through Defence Minister Tea Banh instead of directly dealing with Hun Sen.
Because of Thaksin's personal touch to push for Thailand Inc diplomacy, Hun Sen looked to Bangkok in a favourable light to further the interests of Cambodia.
The Thaksin administration tried to advance the joint development of the overlapping sea boundaries and cross-border projects coinciding with the promotion of Thai satellite business.
Then, and now, Hun Sen's motive is consistently benefit-driven and not his personal ties with Thaksin.
At the peak of Thaksin's popularity in 2003, Hun Sen wanted to lessen Thai domination in the wireless commnunications business. He pushed for the granting of an operating licence to a Japanese operator.
This led to a failed coup in Phnom Penh. Cambodian leaders, particularly those in the Hun Sen camp, had lingering doubts about the involvement of certain Thai figures. Soon after, Hun Sen fanned the Cambodian backlash on a Thai television actress. This in turned led to riots and the torching of the Thai Embassy.
To this day Thaksin and Hun Sen still cast suspicion on one another although they have been boasting about their buddy-buddy ties for mutual gains.
It is noteworthy that Thaksin posted a profuse thank-you note on Twitter but made no mention about accepting Hun Sen's offer for an exile haven.
In light of Hun Sen's temperamental wrath as shown in 2003, Thaksin is justified in being cautious. He should doubly be on guard because he has yet to deliver a lucrative deal for Koh Kong development using the investment funds from the Gulf countries.
The deal was reportedly brokered in Phnom Penh during a round of golf after he was ousted from power.
If Hun Sen and Thaksin both are truly buddies, then the exile in Phnom Phen should have already happened.
Hun Sen's remarks on his undying friendship were designed to grab publicity. Chavalit and Thaksin managed to inflate their international stature in the eyes of the red shirts.
What's in it for Hun Sen? As a big fish in Tonle Sap, the Cambodian prime minister may want to flex his might in the uncharted waters of the Chao Phya.
It is no secret that he feels restless over the stalled talks on the overlapping sea boundaries. But transplanting himself into the thick of Thai politics is guaranteed to get a flak instead of achieving anything favourable for Cambodia.
Should Hun Sen want results in dealing with Thais, he ought to emulate the example set by Burmese Prime Minister General Thein Sein. In contrast to Hun Sen's megaphone diplomacy, Thein Sein tactfully sent a bouquet of flowers with a get-well message to His Majesty.
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Suthep sets out case for ending spat
27/10/2009
Bangkok Post
Mr Suthep also clarified that Bangkok had allowed Sam Rainsy entry to Thailand in his capacity as leader of the Cambodian opposition. He said this should not be compared with Thaksin's position as Mr Rainsy was not a political fugitive wanted by Phnom Penh.Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban has used his personal connections with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen to defuse a potential diplomatic spat between the two countries.
Mr Suthep yesterday said he met the Cambodian leader for two hours on Saturday after a gala dinner hosted by Thailand for leaders attending the Asean summit.
The meeting was made necessary by Hun Sen's reiteration soon after arriving in Thailand last Friday, that former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra was welcome to stay in Cambodia without fear of repatriation.
Mr Suthep's mission was to make the Cambodian leader understand the real situation in Thailand, particularly concerning the legal cases against Thaksin.
He explained that Thaksin was unlikely to return to Thailand any time soon and that the Democrat-led government was not "a temporary" administration.
Mr Suthep also clarified that Bangkok had allowed Sam Rainsy entry to Thailand in his capacity as leader of the Cambodian opposition. He said this should not be compared with Thaksin's position as Mr Rainsy was not a political fugitive wanted by Phnom Penh.
Hun Sen criticised Thailand on Friday for allowing his political rival to use the Kingdom to attack his government.
Mr Suthep earlier offered Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva his services in helping mend ties with Cambodia after Phnom Penh was angered by Thailand's protest against the listing of the Preah Vihear temple as a World Heritage Site under the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation.
He visited Hun Sen before the Democrats came to power and twice since.
Mr Suthep was appointed chairman of the Joint Technical Committee, a position normally headed by the foreign minister, based on his close ties with the Cambodian leader.
The Joint Technical Committee has the role of demarcating the overlapping maritime boundary in the Gulf of Thailand and jointly developing areas where the issue of sovereignty cannot be settled.
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Chavalit draws govt ire
PM slams Puea Thai chairman's 'tactics'
27/10/2009
Bangkok Post
Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban met Hun Sen on Saturday to discuss issues involving Thaksin.Puea Thai Party chairman Chavalit Yongchaiyudh has sparked a furious backlash from the government by insisting he will embark on trips to Burma and Malaysia in the wake of his remarks about ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra being welcome "any time" in Cambodia
Hun Sen promised to stop saying anything that might damage Thailand, Mr Suthep told reporters yesterday in Cha-am district in Phetchaburi.
The government, which insists Gen Chavalit discredited the Thai administration by his visit with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, has made it clear the opposition party politician should not meddle in diplomatic affairs.
Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya yesterday asked Gen Chavalit to put the national interest before personal benefits ahead of his plans to visit other countries.
The government had no authority to block his travel plans but it would not succumb to pressure from other countries as a result of his visits, the prime minister said. Gen Chavalit will visit the lower South on Nov 3 followed by unscheduled trips to Malaysia and Burma, his close aide, Lt Gen Piratch Swamiwas, said yesterday.Gen Chavalit's first foreign trip after assuming the chairmanship of the opposition party was to Cambodia last Wednesday. Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen told him he welcomed Thaksin to Cambodia.
Hun Sen also said on Friday after coming to Thailand for the Asean summit that the Cambodian government would not hand over Thaksin if Thailand sought his extradition.
Mr Abhisit responded by asking Hun Sen to decide between personal relations and bilateral benefits with Thailand.
Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban met Hun Sen on Saturday to discuss issues involving Thaksin.
Hun Sen promised to stop saying anything that might damage Thailand, Mr Suthep told reporters yesterday in Cha-am district in Phetchaburi.
Mr Kasit also sent a stronger message to Gen Chavalit in his bid to have the Puea Thai chairman reconsider his diplomatic strategy.
"You should ask Gen Chavalit whether his visits to neighbouring countries will benefit Thailand," the foreign minister told reporters. "He should ask himself about what he is doing. Is it serving somebody?"
After the talks on Saturday between Mr Suthep and the Cambodian leader, the Foreign Ministry will submit evidence to Phnom Penh regarding the legal action taken against Thaksin.
It would be "factual" regarding the legal process the government was taking on the ousted prime minister, the foreign minister said.
Mr Kasit said he hoped that after the formal explanation, there would be no conflict between the two countries over Thaksin.
Lt Gen Piratch shrugged off the government's criticism and insisted Gen Chavalit had no plan to scrap his visits to Burma and Malaysia.
"He will meet leaders and will criticise no one," the aide said. "What Gen Chavalit is doing is not for anybody in particular. He used to give suggestions to the government but the government never listened to him."
Gen Chavalit said last week he would use his personal connections with leaders of neighbouring countries to clear their misunderstandings about Thailand.
He claimed the foreign policy under the Democrat-led government had caused strains.
The Cambodian prime minister's remark favouring Thaksin continued to upset a group of 40 senators who urged the government take a tougher diplomatic line on Cambodia.
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A big bully next door and traitors in the house
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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