11/11/2009
Bangkok Post
There have been mixed reactions to the Thai government's diplomatic retaliation against Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen. The focus of this debate is the appointment of ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra as an economic adviser to Mr Hun Sen and his government.
Actually, what has rattled the Abhisit government was not Thaksin's appointment, but Hun Sen's remark that the ex-premier's conviction in the Ratchada land case was politically motivated, implying that the Thai judicial system was neither independent nor fair.
This inflammatory statement prompted the Abhisit government to recall the Thai ambassador to Phnom Penh.
If the government did nothing, other legal cases against Mr Thaksin might not be viewed favourably by the international community.
Of course Thai people value their relations with neighbouring countries. We treat our neighbours equally and extend assistance when necessary.
Cambodian authorities, however, still view Thailand as an aggressor. This longstanding prejudice is also exploited by Cambodian politicians for their own gain.
Thailand always wants to be a good friend of its neighbours, but it must also protect its own interests.
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