Alternatives Watch – 20xi09
Op-Ed by Ung Bun Ang
After conquering his local opponents, prime minister Hun Sen must content himself with escalating the border dispute into
a major international clash that absolutely antagonises Thai prime minister Abhisit Vejjajiva. His trump card is deposed Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra whom he has appointed as his economic adviser.
Hun Sen appears totally committed to Thaksin, eventhough he has not disclosed his main objective. He pushes so hard for Thaksin, whom he treats as an eternal friend, to be back in power in Bangkok. He openly goads the Thai prime minister into elections: “If Abhisit is so sure of himself, then he should call an election... What are you afraid of? Is it that you are afraid you will not be the prime minister?” He virtually calls the Abhitsit government a thief when he refers to the fact that it cajoles sixteen of Thaksin’s allies in parliament to form the current government. “You claim other people's property as your own. How can we respect that?” asks Hun Sen.
However, Cambodia – not Hun Sen – may just end up missing out. The adviser seems assuring when saying he sees a lot of synergy between Cambodia and Thailand. “What is good for you will also be good for my country,” claims Thaksin. This possibly means a joint-administration of Preah Vihear and other grey areas along the border is the best option for both countries. This implication is consistent with the fact that it was Thaksin’s ally Samak government that sent Thai troops to Preah Vihear in July 2008, and that the first armed clash occurred in October 2008 when Thaksin’s brother-in-law and close ally Somchai Wongsawath was the Thai prime minister. Thus, either Thaksin supports his allies’ blatant aggression, or his influence over them is insignificant. Either way, Cambodia is unlikely to benefit from the prime minister’s eternal friend.
Cambodia is not a Thaksin’s priority. In his claimed effort to reduce Cambodian poverty, the adviser promises to attract foreign investments. Nevertheless, while accepting and appreciating his appointment, Thaksin confesses, “it's not going to be fun like working to help Thai people out of poverty”. Cambodia is pushed to the back seat.
Thaksin may also have difficulty in sharing benefits, despite his sound rhetoric: “If the benefits are shared equally, surely the government can stay longer”. The fact that his own government did not last long means he failed the benefit sharing test; subsequent governments that were regarded as Thaksin’s proxies lasted even shorter. Unless he learns from the lesson, it will be doubtful how Cambodia can benefit from the wisdom. Furthermore, for a person like Thaksin who makes a fortune of two billion dollars in just four years from a telecommunication monopolistic structure secured through his connections and corruption, sharing benefits equally may just be hot air.
However, if the adviser does believe what he claims: “Everything depends on benefits”, Hun Sen can look forward to some substantial return for his titanic investment in Thaksin. Meanwhile, disappointment, if not disaster, likely awaits Cambodian people.
Ung Bun Ang
Quotable Quote:
“Benefits make a man a slave.” - Anonymous. Arabic proverb.
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