Mentre le Borse continuano a correre in tutto il mondo e la liquidità (iniettata dai governi) le fa rifiorire (insieme alle banche e agli operatori finanziari), sembra diversa la realtà nel mondo produttivo, per chi ci lavora e per le economie più fragili.

Scendiamo nella calura della Cambogia dove sta passando l’euforia della corsa alle costruzioni, dei capitali stranieri che spingevano corruzione, land grabbing, dislocazione della produzione. In questi dieci anni di corsa (il PIL aumentava del 10% all’anno), il governo ha accumulato oltre USD 600 milioni di dollari (al netto di quelli intascati dal sistema politico) e ora, in molti, chiedono che li tiri fuori per assicurare qualche ammortizzatore sociale in una situazione di crisi.

Nei paesi neo-globalizzati non esistono stimoli per l’economia, protezioni all’industria, sostegni ai lavoratori. In questi paesi chi non ha più lavoro deve arrangiarsi, tornare con la coda fra le gambe a coltivare mais e riso nei villaggi o migrare. La Cambogia, come altri paesi simili, stava entrando con fatica nel mondo economico spinta dai due più strutturati vicini Thailandia e Vietnam, dalla Cina che delocalizzava il tessile e da altri paesi asiatici (fra i quali spicca la Corea del Sud) che investivano nell’esplodente mercato immobiliare con l’intento di fare una nuova Bangkok, a costi minori. Il Governo di Hun Sen gongolava e, senza tanti scrupoli, spediva via i contadini dalle terre comuni (land-grabbing) per affidarle agli investitori internazionali che volevano legno pregiato, gomma e altre risorse naturali e i poveracci dai quartieri da ristrutturare di Phnom Penh. Nelle fabbriche tessili e chimiche i lavoratori avevano i salari più bassi dell’Asia.

Chiaramente, come ovunque, il decennio d’oro ha portato immensi e ineguali benefici, concentrati nel sistema politi-affaristico che domina la Cambogia, come altri paesi simili. Le città hanno visto un aumento di macchine, baretti, prostituzione, case moderne, grattacieli. Dalle campagne arrivavano giovani per cercare fortuna, impoverendo ancora di più il sistema economico e sociale, nel 70% della Cambogia fatto di villaggi di palafitte circondate da risaie non è cambiato nulla, almeno in meglio. Poi la crisi, creata e voluta da lontani trafficanti, con l’immediata conseguenza di un crollo delle esportazioni calcolato mediamente del 44% nei paesi più svantaggiati (dato WTO).

 La shining Phnom Penh fatica a diventare la nuova Bangkok e attrarre aziende e uomini d’affari nei nuovi grattacieli lungo il fiume. Aumenta, invece, lo dicono le statistiche e le frequentazioni il numero di ragazze nei baretti,  aumentano quelli che cercano d’arrangiarsi. Le fabbriche tessili dei cinesi stanno chiudendo a raffica, ormai non si riesce più ad esportare e a trovare manod’opera disposta a lavorare per USD 100 al mese. L’export (specie verso gli USA) crolla del 15 % al mese, ornai da più di un anno e il settore sembra ormai morto (crisi strutturale). 77 fabbriche sono state chiuse (e parte dei guadagni riportati nei paesi investitori, altre 53 hanno sospeso le attività, solo dall’inizio del 2009, dicono dal Ministry of Labour , oltre 30.000 persone sono rimaste senza posto di lavoro, cioè circa 150.000 persone senza reddito. Nelle fabbriche tessili lavorano in maggioranza donne (ragazze) che cercano di mantenersi e passare qualche dollaro alle famiglie nei villaggi. Il 56% della popolazione cambogiana è sotto i 25 anni e spera di trovare un futuro.

Quindi, i dance bar  pieni  di di ragazze, più del solito, che cercano di racimolare qualche dollaro (guadagno medio di una bar girls USD 500-600 al mese) o di trovare un fidanzato, possibilmente occidentale. Le tensioni della crisi economica , (la ricchezza vista e non presa, le disparità, e la mancanza di opportunità) scendono nel sociale e aumentano gli episodi di violenza il Ministry of Women Afairs ha dichiarato che rate of domestic and sexual violence is 22 percent and it is increasing. Il Police Blotter (cronaca nera del Phnom Penh Post) aumenta lo spazio e non racconta solo d’efferate vendette a base di acido gettato in faccia ai rivali d’amore o a scannamenti per questioni di gioco o di soldi ma anche di bande armate di AK-47 che assaltano  i negozietti. Four robbers armed with AK-47s robbed a store vendor in Siem Reap province’s ; A man was arrested in Battambang province’s Ratanak Mondol district after he tried to rape a woman who was washing her clothes at a river on Friday; Two men were arrested for beating up a blind beggar in Phnom Penh’s Dangkor district … tosteal him 11,500 riels (USD 3) e così via.

Intanto nelle campagne scoppiano rivolte contadine per impedire che gli portino via la terra, nel povero distretto di Rattanakiri, a Kampong Thom, Oddar Meanchey. E’ il fenomeno del land grabbing, comune a tutti i paesi poveri anche africani, con l’appoggio (pagato) dei governi. Compagnie multinazionali (spesso cinesi),  nazionali ammanicate,  si prendono la terra migliore per sfruttare le risorse naturali (legno, gomma, minerali) o produrre cereali o riso per i loro mercati in deficit alimentare. In Cambogia tutti i documenti legali di proprietà furono distrutti dai Khmer Rossi e, oggi, la terra è di fatto proprietà dello stato che ne fa quello che vuole. Intorno a Shianoukville, immensi appezzamenti sono inutilizzati ma recintati e di proprietà di pezzi grossi legati a Hun Sen, si attende la speculazione turistica per venderli.

Nella capitale, la gente vagola con gli infernali motorini nella più bella stagione dell’anno, i ragazzi si incontrano sotto l’immenso Ananas (il monumento all’amicizia di facciata con il Viet-Nam) prossimo al fiume, il bel mercato in stile coloniale francese ha visto scendere un po’ i clienti, vicino il nuovo Super Store pieno di ragazzini che guardano le ultime novità della moda e della tecnologia. Nessuno parla dello stanco processo ai vecchi Khmer Rossi che si trascina da più di un anno. Pochi parlano dell’ ex-premier thailandese Thaksin, gran riccone, ricercato nel suo paese per corruzione, ed accolto in Cambogia come capo di stato. Qualche storia di spionaggio, un ragazzo thailandese è finito in prigione per aver passato all sua ambasciata gli orari dei voli di Thaksin e, come tradizione, i rapporti con il potente vicino sono diventati pessimi. Addirittura si parla di blocco delle frontiere. Per adesso ci stanno rimettendo solo i contadini delle zone di confine che non riescono più ad esportare la loro povera cassava (mandioca, manioca, tapioca, yucca) nei vicini villaggi thailandesi.

November 24, 2009 by The son of the Khmer Empire

On November 8, on his return to Cambodia from the inaugural Mekong-Japan leaders’ summit in Tokyo, Hun Sen (the Traitor) recalled how Thailand once gave shelter to two leaders of the infamous Khmer Rouge, Nuon Chea and Khieu Samphan.

The Khmer Rouge, which ruled Cambodia from 1975 to 1979, left up to two million people dead.

“Thailand did more than violate international law. It had signed a peace pact. If Thailand does not respect international law, how can you expect us to respect Thai law?” he said.

When the siamese officials as asked about this in an informal chat, then siamese officials were quick to say the episode was in the past.

SE: The Siam think that what Hun Sen (the traitor) said was already happened and it is completely in the past, so it should not be mentioned. However, here come another siam who said the past can´t be forgotten and it still beats his heart and all siamese hearts and memories. And what happened in the past can´t be accepted and forgiven.

“Thai nationalists consider the 1962 ruling on the temple an injustice. We respect the court ruling but hope to one day have the evidence to prove the temple itself is ours,” Siamese Justice Minister Pirapan Salirathavibhaga told The Associated Press.

SE: Wow!!! It is really surprising to hear that the Siam know how to spell the word ”INJUSTICE” and understand what they mean. It seems that their effort of  stealing our national property will never end in these thief-born Siams and the loss  of stealing our temple really hurt them and make them lose faces. But these stupid people never understand how we hurt when they support the Khmer Rouge and keep invading our temple- Preah Vihear.  They should know their people are not the builders of this prestigous temple and they don´t have such a competent either.

So if your mental people want to have faces and respect from your neighbors, you must accept the past as well as the present. Or if you don´t accept the past please reject all the past. It is so simple, then you will become a REAL human being.

November 18, 2009 by  The son of the khmer Empire

I am so sick to read the news on Kohsantepheap publishing about the destitute life of  our people who are begging for survival and it is even sadly heart-broken when most of them say, “Please kindly give me a chance to taste a good food once in a life time“. In such a traumatic situation, they have received no attention or help from the government and their lives just  go on suffering and depending on the generosity of their neighbors or other Cambodians -inside or outside the country.

Grandma Yim Lim lives in Kompong Thom. She has no relatives. She is old and sick and live on alm from the good neighbors. She can´t afford for daily food and medication. She is waiting for her last day and asks for help from the generosity of our beloved people.

Mrs Kheng Art has been sick and half of her body can´t move anymore. She has five children, the eldest is working in Phnom Pen and the four younger are at home. She lives on daily help from the generosity of the villagers and the chief of the village. Her husband, a district military official,  died in 2006.

Why does such a suffering situation still allowed to happen in our country? Do Cambodian leaders see this? Or they just don´t want to see or know about it?

To say this, I am afriad that  Hun Sen, a leader of Cambodia,  doesn´t  know about this, because he always says that Cambodia is developing now and Cambodia is not that poor like that of Sudan och Somalia. And he even proudly added that his government don´t leave anyody die of hunger. He said that on 02 July 2006. Furthermore, he even threatened those who criticed his government as moving backward or poorer and also cursed them be struck by lightning. 

 With a very favorable  political environment given by hundred millions of donation, billions of soft loan, and annually increased national tax income, and export favor from international community, why can´t Cambodia leaders help improve the living standard of these destitute people in our country? And how long will they have to wait for help?

We are also wondering  what are those ministries of the Kingdom doing? And what are they spending their finance on? Why can´t we have  the pension politic for the old and the allowance politic for the children of the have-not? 

Hun Sen, as a former Khmer Rouge and as a leader today, should know that many people were killed during the Khmer Rouge regime and some of all the survived lost all their families, relatives and today live alone or isolated. So the ideal politic for available pension must be prioritized to ease those who survived the regime and live alone who now become old, weak, sick, suffering, and lonely so that they can have a chance to achieve peace and  happiness by living econmically,  dignifiedly and respectfully.

 To the end, I would like to express my deep gratitute to our beloved people who keep helping our poor countrymen in the country and as well as a big thank to Kohsantepheap Daily which keeps publishing such an appeal.

However, I also would like to tell our beloved people and Kohsantepheap Daily that such a help is not sustainable and this will never be  ended if the same government still hold on the power without political will to make a positive change.

So, I humbly would like to ask all the respected countrymen and Kohsantepheap Daily that the donation must be brought with the massage of change, the message of self-realization, and the message of democracy, but not a message which steers to strenghten an individual power by trying to develop a personal-cult  of any leader in any party like it has been done so far. 

The Mirror, Vol. 13, No. 637

Several mails I had received during the week requested what this week’s editorial should be about. Agreed. The visit of Mr. Thaksin Shinawatra to Cambodia has more than any other recent event received wide international attention – at the same time it resulted in bringing a range of different and opposing issues to the surface, beyond the straightforward political tensions.

The disparities start with the wording, how the visitor is called in national and international media: the possibilities extend from the fond description of Mr. Thaksin Shinawatra as an “eternal friend” by Prime Minister Hun Sen, to the more neutral description when referring to the “former Thai prime minister ousted by a military coup,” to the references – and this not only in part of the Thai press – to the “convicted fugitive, because of corruption, and who finally violated the bail requirements and fled the country to avoid going to prison.”

This is the first controversy.

The Cambodian government did not only refuse to live up to the Cambodian-Thai extradition agreement, “considering the prosecution and legal process against Thaksin Shinawatra as a politically motivated proceeding,” and therefore even handed back the Thai documents submitted to seek Mr. Thaksin Shinawatra’s extradition. On the other hand, the Thai government and part of the Thai media felt that already that extending an invitation and offering the function to be an adviser to the Cambodian government were an insult to the legal system of Thailand.

As a public reaction in Thailand, the popularity of the Thai Prime Minister, Mr. Abhisit Vejjajiva, almost tripled, with appruval rates of 24% in September to 69% recently, according to a poll.

The interpretation of Prime Minister Hun Sen, that the present Cambodian-Thai dispute is basically a personal dispute between the two prime ministers, was not shared in the international press. More fundamental problems were touched upon: What does it mean for the international standing of a country when a search warrant by Interpol can be dismissed, after the fugitive, who is being sought under a “red alert” warrant, after a bail violation, and after a criminal conviction for corruption in dealing with the sale of valuable public property to a family member, up to the grotesque $60,000 event of the mysteriously mistaken box of chocolate.

How would such events be dealt with under a Cambodian anti-corruption law, due to be adopted by the National Assembly since a decade ago? If actions of corruption are committed in combination with political ones, are they then no longer subject to criminal prosecution?

There were several rumors and denials – that Mr. Thaksin Shinawatra would fly together with the Cambodian Prime Minister to the APEC meetings in Singapore.

Surprising also, that the Cambodian Prime Minister compared him to Aung San Suu Kyi in Myanmar. In an interview with Times Online, Mr. Thaksin Shinawatra said: “There are some similarities there, but not really everything. The similarity is we won elections, we rule the countries. We’ve been ousted by the coup d’etat and we come from the people. We are democratically elected leaders and we come from the majority of the people – a big majority, not just a small majority. She’s under house arrest, I’ve been kicked out of the country.”

The Cambodian government has never found such strong critical words against the ruling military in Myanmar. Will the Cambodian government also accept such advice and change its position? The statement “I’ve been kicked out of the country” contrasts with the fact that the self imposed exile abroad started with breaking bail arrangements with the Thai law enforcement authorities, traveling abroad without the promised return.

But the invitation to Mr. Thaksin Shinawatra as economic adviser may lead to a second kind of controversies.

Press reports in Cambodia were not enthusiastic about his speech in front of 300 selected economists. The Cambodian Daily said that his address “primarily dealt in generalities and contained little that Cambodian economists will not already know.” Not only that: Some of his advice runs contrary to some of the traditional approaches of Cambodian economic practice.

Thakshin Sinawatra became the favorite politician among a majority of the rural population in Thailand because of his new policy of favoring them directly, with debt relief and village loan funds administered by the local communities themselves. The revenue of the public and the private sector should, first of all, be directed towards the poorest sector of society, is his advice. Large scale land leasings to big companies in favorable relation with the government, leading to considerable groups of the rural population losing their land, coming to demonstrate in Phnom Penh, asking for justice, as happens so frequently in Cambodia, are not compatible which the vision of Thaksin Shinawatra’s economic policies.

Surprising is also his emphasis on the need of reconciliation and good neighborliness between Cambodia and Thailand, in order to foster Cambodia’s economic development, including the promotion of Thailand and Cambodia together for international tourism, presenting themselves as a “joint destination.” This runs against many recent antagonistic trends: the Thai government had proposed to submit Preah Vihear together with the Cambodian government to the World Heritage Committee, which was flatly rejected by the Cambodian side. During the last year there were even plans discussed in Cambodia to create an international airport 500 meters below the mountain range where Preah Vihear is situated, which is conveniently accessible from the north, from Thailand. This plan, to exclude the natural access to Preah Vihear – and therefore tourism via Thailand, was soon given up again as economically completely unreal. The public outcry some years ago, when Bangkok Airways had named one of its airplanes Angkor Wat – while other planes are named according to other international destinations, promoting tourism to these places – has no place in this context. The Cambodian Daily reported his emphasis on the need for cooperation between Thailand and Cambodia, as the two countries’ economic fortunes are inextricably linked – adding: “Of course, not all my compatriots see it that way right now.” Those who see it differently in Thailand are assumed to suffer from being shortsighted, driven by false patriotism.

One may ask whether the anti-Thai actions of 2003, when the Thai embassy in Phnom Penh was ransacked because of a baseless rumor, resulting in further arson so that the hardware damage alone of that night was estimated at US$56 million, and the tensions before and after the designation of Preah Vihear as a World Heritage Site, would also fall under a similar verdict by Mr. Thaksin Shinawatra, that a false patriotism is in the way also in some of the Cambodian attitudes and actions.

It is surprising to consider how future suggestions of the new economic adviser of the Cambodian government will be handled, while land conflicts in rural areas continue, further large scale leasings of land are under consideration inviting countries from the Middle East to start agro-business ventures, and Japanese companies are considering to create new large tree planting schemes in Cambodia.

Mr. Thaksin Shinawatra’s suggestions may not only be unwelcome in his own country. They run counter to major trends of present day Cambodian big business.

.

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Finally the Cambodian war is coming to an end of its news cycle. There’s still the issue of the Thai engineer arrested there but it’s basically over. Just like Rakesh brouhaha it didn’t produced any long lasting results and the only one with a cool head on his shoulders was Abhisit, he didn’t say or do anything he might regret later.

Why was it insane? Well, lots of people were really into it, commenting on every move, blow by blow, and keeping scores, like in this blog entry at Absolutely Bangkok. What escapes people is that this is 21st century, the world is flat, and even African states realize that cooperation is good, war is bad.

There are no winners in a war and no benefits in “winning” either, unless you have clear objectives like developing nuclear weapons (allegedly Iran).

Cambodia has absolutely nothing to fight for, and a lot to lose.

So far they lost tourism at their second biggest cultural site and prospects of offshore oil and gas drilling, and a goodwill of their biggest neighbor. There is also an arguable loss of any credibility as a civilized nation, and short term effects like lower income from border trade and casinos.

There’s absolutely no prospect of regaining those lost opportunities via their little war, no matter how hard they try. They might want to offset those losses by getting services of Thaksin as their economic advisor, but that’s where it gets really bizarre, because Thaksin himself is preaching synergy and mutual benefits, not fighting.

Did they even listen to him? Did he listen to himself?

Sophon Ongkara in The Nation thinks that Cambodian business elite and policy makers were not impressed by Thaksin’s effort so far, and so it’s the only ray of light in their hopelessly insane war-mongering. Perhaps someone on that side would rise and ask Hun Sen – Where are you going with this? Have you lost your mind?

On the ground reports from Cambodia are scarce, Nation’s Suwalak being the only one providing a constant stream. In the beginning of the affair he was reporting that average Cambodians were happy with Thaksin’s appointment and that the resultant spat with Thailand was something Hun Sen could easily fix (or win). That was just naive. The sooner they realize it the better, but rising nationalism there is something that is not going away and it will affect Thai-Cambodian relationships in many ways that can’t be predicted.

For now it’s only an intermission.

ASTV/Manager Online (15 November 2009) posts the People’s Alliance for Democracy’s “The Thai People’s Declaration to the World” and includes a video of its delivery. While PAD’s claim to speak for all Thais is grandiose PPT reproduces it in full, with some emphasis added by us, to provide the flavor of PAD’s royalism and nationalism. At the same time, it shows that Thaksin remains the enemy for PAD:

We are the people of the Kingdom of Thailand and are citizens who are loyal to our nation, our religion, and our monarchy. We gather here today at Sanam Luang in the capital city of Bangkok and are joined in spirit and in faith by Thai citizens from across the Kingdom.

We come today to declare our purpose to everyone around the world, the following:

1. The Kingdom of Thailand is one kingdom that cannot and will not be divided. The people of Thailand have always been and continue to be loyal to our nation, our religion, and our monarchy. The Kingdom of Thailand is governed under a constitutional monarchy and will never be ruled by any other system because we, the people of Thailand, are prepared to protect our nation, our religion, our King, our independence, our sovereignty, and our national interests…we protect these institutions with our lives.

2. Fugitive Thaksin Shinawatra has been found guilty by the Supreme Court of Thailand for abuse of power and continues to flee and remain on the run. While he is hiding from the law, he is still wanted in many other corruption cases, but continues to create trouble and harm Thailand and its people, increasingly so that he has become the most wanted fugitive in the Kingdom’s recent history. Fugitive Thaksin Shinawatra will repay and return all assets that he has acquired through unjust means.

We, the people of Thailand, will continue to monitor and demand those assets until they are rightfully returned to Thailand.

3. We declare that Fugitive Thaksin Shinawatra has now become an enemy to the Kingdom of Thailand. He has become a traitor to his motherland by threatening Thailand’s national security and becoming an antagonist to Thailand’s constitutional monarchy. He has conspired with the enemy in undermining Thailand’s dignity.

It has been apparent throughout his years as a fugitive that Thaksin Shinawatra has tried his best to incite political and ideological separation among Thais nationwide and also between the Kingdom of Thailand and its neighbor, Cambodia…a conflict that will not only affect Thai citizens, but also holds repercussions for the people of Cambodia and the citizens of Southeast Asia as a whole.

4. We declare that the Kingdom of Thailand’s justice system is fair and just….a system that utilizes judicial, humanitarian, and compassionate philosophies in deliberating cases. While trying to disgrace and discredit Thailand’s judicial system around the world, Fugitive Thaksin Shinawatra uses that same judicial system to file lawsuits against others as well. He has now become the Kingdom’s most frequent plaintiff.

We condemn Fugitive Thaksin Shinawatra and Mr. Hun Sen for dishonoring the Kingdom of Thailand’s judicial system. In doing so, both have also insulted the people of Thailand in the most shameful way and, for this, should never be forgiven.

5. We declare that the Kingdom of Thailand and the Kingdom of Cambodia and its peoples remain friendly neighbors. We, therefore, call upon Mr. Hun Sen to cease his activities in conspiring with Fugitive Thaksin Shinawatra in turning Thailand into an enemy of Cambodia. Mr. Hun Sen should also immediately strengthen ties with Thailand and urgently act upon what is called for in Former King His Majesty Norodom Sihanu’s [sic] royal missive.

6. Following in our ancestors footsteps, we, the people of Thailand, continue to be at peace with our neighbors and the world. We are dedicated to cooperating with the peoples and governments of nations around the world in protecting world peace, human rights, and the wellbeing of mankind.

Our gathering today reflects a great deal about the current state of the Kingdom of Thailand. Our presence represents Thai citizens who remain devoted to protecting the honor and dignity of our nation, our King, and our constitutional monarchy as stipulated in the Kingdom of Thailand’s constitution.

Declared to those present here and around the world…November 15, 2009 at Sanam Luang, Bangkok, Kingdom of Thailand

With Heartfelt Respect and Peace

The People of Thailand

Who remain loyal to our nation, our religion, and our monarchy

Prachatai (17 November 2009: “Fierce PAD nationalism on stage”) has a post that reflects on the PAD rally and its expressions of “nation, religion, monarchy” – and where we found the link for the declaration above. PAD’s speakers took a stage that was adorned with slogans “which read in Thai ‘Unite the Strength of the Land. Protect Nation, Religion and King’, and in English ‘Fight for Thailand. Fight for our King’.”

The speeches were hardly “dedicated to cooperating with the peoples and governments of nations around the world in protecting world peace, human rights, and the wellbeing of mankind” as in the statement above.

Some examples from Prachatai’s report include “Prasert Lertyaso called for the beheading of Hun Sen, General Chavalit Yongchaiyudh, and Thaksin Shinawatra, alluding to an old Thai saying of shedding blood to wash royal feet.” Saken Sutthiwong said reported to have attacked Cambodia and Cambodians in racist and nationalist terms. A group of students condemned Hun Sen and Thaksin, calling the latter “the traitor.” Reminiscent of similar statements in 1975-76 that led to violence,  a “group of artists also read a statement, referring to both men as ‘non-human’.”

General Preecha Iamsuphan said “it was time to get rid of traitors, adding “We have to quickly finish them off for the sake of our beloved King and ancestors, so that Thais stop quarrelling with one another because of these scoundrels.”

Appointed senator Khamnoon Sitthisaman said that he expected Thaksin to intensify with Thaksin marching into Thailand from Cambodia. The aim would be an election that Thaksin’s supporters would win or a “people’s revolution.” He finished his speech with lines from the king’s anti-communist anthem “We Fight.”

Sondhi Limthongkul drew on figures from Thailand’s past, created in royalist myths, to emphasize nation, religion and monarchy. He claimed that the current king needs the protection of PAD: “We have our duty to protect Nation, Religion and King. As I have always told you, His Majesty has no one else to count on, except us…”. Sondhi also cited a parable that allowed him to join with General Preecha in saying that the traitors needed to be “finished off,” obliquely warning that if this meant invading Cambodia, so be it.

The Prachatai article states that as well as the royal anthem, other nationalist songs were played and sung, including the notorious “Scum of the Earth.” PAD called for another rally on the king’s birthday, 5 December.

Some commentators around the blogs think that PAD are finished as a political force. Certainly, their appeal seems somewhat diminished. However, the calls to xenophobic nationalism remain powerful and PAD is likely to remain useful in the continuing struggle being waged against Thaksin. Calling for another rally on 5 December is an interesting ploy, especially as the government has already arranged the obligatory mammoth celebrations.

Thai envoy meets for the first time on Tuesday Thai engineer detained in a Cambodian prison on charge of spying flight information of ex-Thai Thaksin Shinawatra and Cambodia’s PM Hun Sen.

The Cambodian side contacted Thai embassy in Phnom Penh on Tuesday morning, confirming that the envoy; Chalotorn Paowiboon, can meet Siwarak Chutipong at the prison. Later the envoy then met Siwarak and contacted his mother; Simaluck Na Nakhon Panom, allowing him to talk to his mother. Simaluck quoted her son as saying that he is ok.

This is the first contact of Siwarak since he was arrested last week in Phnom Penh last week. Cambodian authorities had earlier refused consular visit of Thai embassy in Phnom Penh. Simaluck who was a teacher of Nakhon Ratchasima Technical College in Nakhon Ratchasima said she was ready to go to Phnom Penh to visit her son.

The Nation

By THE NATION ON SUNDAY,
THAI NEWS AGENCY
Published on November 15, 2009

Thailand is preparing to evacuate its citizens from Cambodia if the diplomatic row between the countries worsens, Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban said yesterday.

“The arrest of a Thai national will not lead to closure of the embassy [in Phnom Penh]. The Thai government will ensure security for the Cambodian Embassy in Thailand and we believe Cambodia will also take care of our embassy in that country,” Suthep said.

“If bilateral relations become more violent, the government is ready to evacuate Thai citizens from Cambodia immediately,” he added.

In early 2003, the Thai Embassy in Phnom Penh was burnt by rioters and several Thai-owned businesses in Cambodia were attacked following a rumour that a Thai actress had claimed the Angkor Wat temple – Cambodia’s prized cultural icon – belonged to Thailand. An evacuation of Thai citizens followed the riots.

Suthep said the government had provided legal assistance for a Thai engineer arrested in Cambodia last week on charges of spying.

Siwarak Chothipong, 31, who works at Cambodia Air Traffic Service, is accused of supplying the Thai Embassy with details of ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra’s flight schedule, according to Cambodian police.

Thailand submitted a request to visit the detained suspect, which was being considered by Cambodia’s Interior Ministry, said officials from both countries.

“We have to see him, whatever happens,” said Chavanond Intarakomalyasut, secretary to Thailand’s foreign minister. “Thailand categorically denies all of the spy allegations.”

There was no reply from the Cambodian authorities yesterday, he said, adding that it was probably because it was a holiday.Suthep told journalists that flight information on Thaksin’s journey to Cambodia was not a secret, as the Aviation Department and Aeronautical Radio of Thailand had been asked to allow his chartered jet to fly over Thai airspace.After learning that the plane had Thaksin on board, the government refused to allow it permission to pass through Thai airspace as he has been convicted and was also facing charges of threatening national security, Suthep said.The deputy prime minister said Thailand would use this evidence to defend Siwarak, but the government would not intervene in Cambodia’s judicial system. Initially, Samart Corp – Siwarak’s employer – sent a lawyer to assist him.In Singapore, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said yesterday that the ongoing diplomatic spat between Thailand and Cambodia would not affect cooperation among Asean members, emphasising that the problem must be solved by the two countries.Abhisit, who is attending the 17th Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum meeting, told journalists that Asean Secretary-General Surin Pitsuwan had advised that Thailand and Cambodia should resolve the tension before the Asean leaders meet US President Barack Obama today.He affirmed that Thailand, currently the Asean chair, would not raise the issue at the meeting.

The Nation has come up with another of their odd editorials that mixes rightist nationalism and hatred of that “devil” Thaksin Shinawatra. In this missive (The Nation, 14 November 2009: “Trampling on national dignity for Thaksin”) the editorial writer points an accusing finger at more traitors in the Peua Thai Party.

Because Peua Thai lawmakers went to see Thaksin in Cambodia, they are considered to have betrayed the motherland in several ways. Not least, they cozy up with the enemy Cambodian leader Hun Sen, betraying the nation: “Giving Hun Sen full approval for his action, the politicians have all but shown contempt for the sovereignty of Thailand, which is under the control of the Democrats.” These Thais were “with Cambodian leaders … just as a Thai citizen was being arrested and accused of spying.” By doing this, and meeting Thaksin, they are accused of “undermin[ing] the courts that are supposed to represent our political system – the implications are much more profound.”

Chavalit Yongchaiyudh and other Peua Thai politicians “defend their leader, not Thailand’s reputation.” The Nation says: “They are playing a major role in a dangerous diplomatic situation by making it easier for Hun Sen to not take a step back and reconsider his own actions. While Thai reporters covering the controversial Thaksin visit in Cambodia were barred from attending his address to businessmen on Thursday, the red-shirt group’s TV station in Bangkok managed to air the entire speech to its audience in Thailand.”

Wasn’t it Hun Sen who withdrew troops? Oops, sorry, that was a “ploy” that no one could fall for. Of course, The Nation is embellishing on the Thai journalists being hard done by bit. Maybe The Nation should watch more red shirt TV?

The Nation continues to flay about over the incomplete extradition letter to Cambodia. Readers might find this a useful backgrounder on extradition.

Update: The Nation (15 November 2009: “Military denies report about arrest of its spy”) has another one of those immediate and incomplete denials that raises questions. All the more so when it comes from the Thai military who regularly have a kind of Sgt Schultz response to any accusations against their personnel. This time, when the Cambodians claim to have grabbed another Thai spy said to be from the “Armed Forces’ Security Centre” and apprehended at the “City Angkor Hotel in Siem Reap where ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra stayed during his visit to Cambodia…”.

An Armed Forces spokesman “said no one by the name of Manit, as claimed by Cambodia, worked under the centre.” He went on to speculate that the Cambodians “had slandered the Thai Armed Forces and called on Cambodia to identify the last name of the person arrested.” Its when these kind of things are said that suspicions are raised – we’ve got no Manit spying, but we might have spies with other names….

The spokesman “urged the public to use discretion and not believe any information without checking, as the country may fall victim to ill-intentioned groups.” There’s those traitors again.

As relations get worse between the two governments, Thailand is preparing to evacuate its people.

Those damned sneaky Cambodians have withdrawn troops form the border near the Preah Vihear temple area.

Fortunately, according to the Bangkok Post (14 November 2009: “Abhisit won’t cut troops”), Thai premier Abhisit Vejjajiva is not fooled by the sneaky Cambodians and their ploys.

Abhisit understands their tricks and he won’t allow Thailand to be duped. Indeed, Thailand will put “more pressure  on Cambodia next week.” Having huddled with the likes of Kasit Piromya, Abhisit knows that the Cambodians are in a corner and this is the time to pressure them. Abhisit said the government was reviewing projects with Cambodia and some of them might be put forward to the cabinet for consideration next week.

He said the government was not distracted by the diplomatic spat with Cambodia and its diplomatic response was in line with proper procedure.

By withdrawing his troops, the devious Hun Sen was taking yet another action that fits a pattern that Abhisit characterized as “intentionally provocative.” This was clear to all.

So conniving are the Cambodians that: “Relations between Thai and Cambodian soldiers deployed in the disputed area seem to have remained undisturbed by the diplomatic flare-up.” One soldier said that: “We eat together. We talk. There is no strain or tension. And now they have pulled out, so there is nothing to be tense about…”.

It must be difficult for the brains trust at the Democrat Party and in its government to deal with such devious bastards.

Prawase Wasi, sometimes said to be a “liberal royalist,” has made an interesting statement that The Nation (14 November 2009: “Beware of the Thaksin-Hun Sen trap – Prawase”) reports.

Prawase, who has a considerable audience amongst Bangkok’s middle class and NGOs, “warned the government yesterday not to fall into a trap set by fugitive ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra and Cambodian leader Hun Sen,” who he sees as being in a “temporary alliance for some purposes.”

Prawase warned “against fuelling feelings of patriotism among the people, which he said could lead to hatred against people in the neighbouring country and even a war between the two nations.” He sees this diplomatic spat as being essentially a matter of disagreements between politicians. He added that “ordinary citizens should not allow themselves to become victims of politicians, and politicians should not lead their people to war.”

That might all sound reasonable and in line with the “liberal royalist” position that politicians are not to be trusted are venile and cause problems.

But Prawase then seems to get a bit odd, saying “he suspected Hun Sen’s trump card would be to lead his country into a war with Thailand in order to deflect the public’s attention from his faults.” He also urges “Thais to view the Cambodians with kindness as Thailand is like an adult while Cambodia is a child. Thailand has more population, greater military might and economic power…”.

In the end, then, if reported correctly, while Prawase urges restraint, he sounds little different from the old-fashioned paternalistic “big Thai brother” lecturing the Cambodians. That mixes his message.

Meanwhile, PAD is set to rally, in the same places that the red shirts have recently held mass rallies. But, as noted previously, without the huge military presence and Internal Security Act. This is because PAD is pro-government, and its rally is claimed to be “an expression of loyalty to the Royal Family and to show its readiness to protect the country’s dignity.” The Nation’s headline, claims a “huge” police presence, but it is miniscule compared with the turnout for red shirt rallies and the newspaper is simply trying to convey evenhandedness by the government. But it is biased.

Update: Just to help out, the Office of the Attorney-General has suddenly decided to revive some cases against Thai Rak Thai politicians from the annulled 2006 election. No surpise in this as it is a regular pattern of post-2006 coup governments to attack the “Thaksin regime.” The Democrat Party and its powerful backers must be feeling pressured and need their judicial system backers back in the game.

Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya said on Friday that Cambodia’s arrest of a Thai engineer on spying charges is nothing more than intimidation with the intention to defame Thailand. Cambodia has charged Siwarak Chothipong, an engineer of Cambodia Air Traffic Services, for “stealing” the flight information of ex-Thai PM Thaksin Shinawatra and Cambodia’s PM Hun Sen.

Cambodian prosecutors alleged that Siwarak stole the information and sent it to Thai embassy’s first secretary Kamrob Palawatwichai. Cambodia on Thursday expelled Kamrob following the accusation that he had executed work in contradiction to his position. He was ordered to leave the country within 48 hours. “It is clearly intimidation with intent to defame Thailand by Cambodia,” said Kasit, who cut short his participation in ministerial preparatory meetings for the Apec Summit in Singapore.

He accused Thaksin of being the major cause of all the problems Thailand having with Cambodia. He said he had assigned officials of Thai embassy in Phnom Penh to assist and provide legal advice to Siwarak. Cambodia’s appointment of Thaksin as the adviser to Hun Sen and his government has seen the start of the current diplomatic rows between the neighbouring countries. Both have recalled their ambassadors and the first secretaries. Thailand has downgraded relations and reviewed cooperation with and loans given to Cambodia. 

The Nation

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva on Thursday ordered an review of two road construction projects with Cambodia which involved loans of more than Bt1.4 bn to Phnom Penh.

The review is a further move of his government to protest Cambodia’s appointment of convicted ex-Thai PM Thaksin Shinawatra as economic adviser to Khmer PM Hun Sen and his government.

Deputy Finance Minister Pruetichai Damrongrat told reporters that the No 68 road will link Chong Chom checkpoint in Surin province to Cambodia. Meanwhile Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban said that the cabinet will not consider an financial assistance of Bt31 million to Cambodia in its meeting next week.

The proposal is put on hold as a measure of Thailand to protest Cambodia. In a separate interview, Abhisit said he was considering further measures against Cambodia, but vowed that his government would not seal off checkpoints on the border and said that the rift with Phnom Penh would not lead to violence.

“I don’t want the situation going out of control,” he said.

The Nation

I guess everybody has seen these excerpts from Hun Sen’s press conference in The Nation, along with Cambodia’s official response to extradition request.

It’s a clear case that it’s better to be quiet and appear stupid than to open your mouth and remove all doubts. Hun Sen might have raised a few points worth a discussion, but he also said a few things simply unacceptable in international relations. What is he going to do to take them back? Apologize? Not likely. Sit it out and hope for a mood change? There will be serious Asean pressure to normalize the relationships ASAP.

The reality is that Thailand doesn’t really need Cambodia in any particular way, not politically, nor economically. It can just shut the diplomatic ties, leave the border open and ignore Hun Sen, even refuse to attend meetings held in the same room. Thaksin did that once when Asean wanted to talk about Tak Bai and it worked.

If Thailand suspends diplomatic relations, Abhisit will have a legal reason not to attend, the pressure is all on Hun Sen – it’s a lot easier for Thailand to reopen the embassy than for Hun Sen to apologize to Abhisit.

So the question is – what is Hun Sen going to do when it comes to taking responsibility for his words?

If he hopes that Thaksin proxy will come back to power and relations will be restored, he is seriously mistaken.

The interview was given three days ago and it appeared in Thai papers yesterday, though there were references to it in the English media, too.

Right now both sides moved past those accusations. Abhisit basically ignored them and focused on official channels – request extradition, resubmit the request, and so on.

There are no clues as to what will be included in the second request but I hope they focus no this interesting wording in official Cambodian letter – that at the time of the coup Thaksin was overwhelmingly and democratically elected by Thai people.

They could simply state that it is factually untrue – Thaksin relinquished his democratic mandate when he dissolved the parliament in February that year. He failed to regain it after April elections, and he promised not to resume premiership on the national TV. All of that happened half a year before the coup, so he didn’t have any electoral mandate at that time.

Let’s see how Cambodians would try to correct this obvious mistake.

Thailand could also point that downgrade in relationships is not connected to Thaksin’s role as an advisor but to Thaksin’s extradition matter.

There’s also a question of a rumor about a hundred opposition MPs meeting with Thaksin in Siem Reap. For now there’s a picture of one coming for the lecture in Phnom Phenh, and reports of some red shirts moving there overland. Cambodian excuses that they are paying personal visits that have nothing to do with Thai politics would sound really lame when the news reaches other Asean members.

Abhisit also said he doesn’t want to involve Asean in this bilateral spat. This is actually cool, because they will come knocking and begging anyway, and he’d send them to talk to Hun Sen first, as he is the one in the attack mode.

It’s hard to see how the situation can backfire on Abhisit domestically, all he has to do is to up the ante once in a while to be seen as strong, in the meantime he can just go on with governing the country, playing the part of the elephant that doesn’t respond to barking dogs, and that’s how it will play out in the end. Hun Sen’s talk doesn’t really hurt, only makes him look like barking mad, for saying these kind of things.

Emotions will subside, trade will not be affected, business will go on as usual, internationally Thailand would look like a victim of an unprovoked and unwarranted attack, and domestic opposition will be all but destroyed.

The Mirror, Vol. 13, No. 638

“Phnom Penh: A Source from the Thai News Agency (TNA) said on Tuesday that the Thai parliament decided to cancel a Cambodian-Thai memorandum of understanding, but senior officials of the Royal Government of Cambodia consider this as only a dream of people who do not know the law.

“According to a report from TNA published on Tuesday, 10 November 2009, the [Thai] parliament decided to terminate a Memorandum of Understanding between the Kingdom of Cambodia and the Kingdom of Thailand, signed in 2001. This decision was made after the Kingdom of Cambodia recently decided [by Prime Minister Hun Sen and a Royal decree] to appoint the former Thai prime minister, Mr. Thaksin Shinawatra, as an economic adviser of the Royal Government and of Prime Minister Samdech Hun Sen.

“TNA said that the Thai parliament decided to officially cancel the Memorandum of Understanding signed by Thai former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Surakiart Sathirathai, and the Minister of the Council of Ministers, Deputy Prime Minister Sok An, on 14 June 2001, though there has be no improvement at all within the eight years since it became valid.

“The head of the National Border Committee, Senior Minister Va Kimhong, spoke during a press conference held in the morning of 10 November 2009 at the Council of Ministers, where he said that the Memorandum of Understanding was agreed upon between the Royal Governments of the Kingdom of Thailand and the Kingdom of Cambodia about the overlapping zones at the seabed of the two countries in 2001. He added that the aims of this 2001 Memorandum of Understanding are:

1. To seek an agreement for a treaty about overlapping zones; and
2. To explicitly demarcate the sea border between Cambodia and Thailand.

“The Senior Minister explained the cause how these overlapping emerged, saying that because Cambodia drew a line in 1972, while Thailand also designated its seabed in 1973, so this overlapping zones emerged. The government had sought to negotiate since 1970 and 1971 to find a solution at the region of the later overlapping zones. He went on to say, ‘In fact, we again started negotiations since 1995 with a Deputy Prime Minister as the head of the negotiations at that time, during the first term of the Royal Government, but the talks failed, and only in 1999, 2000, and 2001, there came a situation to sign that Memorandum of Understanding. Its major goal was to agree to develop those overlapping zones, as well as to clearly demarcate the sea border.’

“A Source from [the Thai well known newspaper] The Nation said that recently, yellow shirt demonstrators [supporters of the current Thai government] of the Thai People’s Alliance for Democracy had submitted 11 documents, detailing the agreement between the Kingdoms of Cambodia and of Thailand, asking their Royal Government to check, and to cancel the Memorandum of Understanding. On Tuesday, the parliament of the Kingdom of Thailand decided to send this request to cancel this Memorandum of Understanding into the parliament for discussion and approval.

“Responding to questions of journalists about the intention to cancel the Memorandum of Understanding between the Kingdoms of Cambodia and of Thailand, Senior Minister Va Kimhong said that this canceling is only a dream of a group of people who do not know the law, and if Thailand had people with knowledge about the law, it would have been impossible to decide as they did.” Kampuchea Thmey, Vol.8, #2095, 11.11.2009

Newspapers Appearing on the Newsstand:
Wednesday, 11 November 2009

Deum Ampil, Vol.3, #333, 11.11.2009

• [Thai ousted prime minister] Thaksin Shinawatra Arrived in Cambodia, and [Prime Minister] Hun Sen Welcomed Him with Most Friendly Greeting, as Gestures for an Eternal Friend
• Samdech Euv [the former King] Sent [opposition party president] Sam Rainsy’s Letter to Three Samdechs [Samdech Hun Sen, Samdech Heng Samrin - the president of the National Assembly, and Samdech Chea Sim - the president of the Senate], related to the Cambodian-Vietnamese Border Markers [Mr. Sam Rainsy's letter claimed there were irregularities when the border markers were set]
• An Exclusive Rice Import Company from Singapore ["ALM"] Comes to Cooperate with the Golden Rice Association of Cambodia [to invest in rice cultivation in Cambodia for export to Singapore]
• The Russian Government Is Considering to Cancel the US$1.5 Billion Debt That Cambodia Owes [according to high ranking officials of the National Assembly that have just returned from a visit to Russia which Mr. Heng Samrin led]
• Typhoon Ketsana Caused a Loss of US$140 Million [there were 43 deaths, 67 serious injuries, and 22,800 families lost their homes - according to the National Disaster Management Committee]

Kampuchea Thmey, Vol.8, #2095, 11.11.2009

• Thailand Decided to Cancel a Memorandum of Understanding, and Va Kimhong Said It Is an Action of People Who Do Not Know the Law
• In one Week Indonesia Will Exhibit Its Products in Cambodia [at the Mondial Center in Phnom Penh]

Khmer Amatak, Vol.10, #672, 11.11.2009

• Nine Types of Special Food Was Prepared to Welcome Thaksin Shinawatra, [Prime Minister] Hun Sen’s Eternal Friend, when He Arrived in Cambodia

Khmer Machas Srok, Vol.3, #525, 11.11.2009

• Only Now the Government Discovers that Many Appointments Did Not Create Any Tasks to Do, and Waste National Resources

Koh Santepheap, Vol.42, #6802, 11.11.2009

• The Thai Parliament Meeting Had Disputes and Disagreements during the Discussion about the Intention to Cancel the Memorandum of Understanding about [maritime] Borders
• Cambodia Welcomes Thaksin Shinawatra, while the Thai Deputy Prime Minister Announced that There Is No Plan to Close the Cambodian-Thai Border Crossings
• Ms. Aung San Suu Kyi [a Burmese elected democracy leader] Might Be Released for the 2010 Elections [according to the general director of the Ministry of Interior of Burma, Mr. Min Lwin]

Phnom Penh Post [Khmer Edition], Vol.1, #43, 11.11.2009

• Cambodian-Thai Relations Became Tenser when Thaksin Shinawatra Arrived in Cambodia; Mr. Thaksin Shinawatra Said, “I Do Not Come Here to Help Cambodia against Thailand”
• The Authorities Prevented [24] Students [from different universities in Phnom Penh and in Svay Rieng] to Visit the Border in Svay Rieng [at the point where Mr. Sam Rainsy was accused of removing border markers; they claimed they had received high-level officials' order]

Rasmei Kampuchea, Vol.17, #5044, 11.11.2009

• Thaksin Shinawatra [and former Thai prime minister Somchai Wongsawat] Landed in Cambodia in His Own Plane, and He Will Stay in Cambodia Two to Three Days;
• Reactions Were Expressed against the Presence of Thaksin Shinawatra in Cambodia [the Cambodian Independent Teachers' Association and the Human Rights Party claimed that the presence of Mr. Thaksin Shinawatra in Cambodia does not help the government with anything, but it will step up further tension between the Cambodian and Thai governments; however, the spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs claimed it will help Cambodia's economy]
• POSCO E&C [a leading construction company from South Korea] Inaugurated an Occupational Safety Section for the Construction of High Rise Buildings along the River [it plans to construct one 45-storey building and two 42-storey buildings behind the Russian Embassy along the Basak River, worth about US$300 million - Phnom Penh]

Have a look at the last editorial – you can access it directly from the main page of the Mirror.
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