Tensions between Thailand and Cambodia are rising

Source: MO

Due to provocations from Prime Minister Hun Sen of Cambodia, tensions between Thailand and Cambodia high up.

Just before the start of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit on October 23 in Cha-am,

Hun Sen said that former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra is very welcome in Cambodia. Thaksin, immensely popular with poor Thais, was ousted from power in Bangkok in 2006 by a military coup and lives in exile. He got in Thailand convicted of a conflict of interest. Hun Sen said Cambodia is ready to host Thaksin and would not extradite him if Thailand asked for that.

The Cambodian Prime Minister makes controversial statements
The Thai newspapers are very indignant about the statements of the authoritarian Hun Sen. The Cambodian prime minister even stated that he wants to use Thaksin as an economic adviser. Thaksin still has many supporters and influence in Thailand and would like to return to his country. From just over the border and with the support of Cambodia, he could get even more involved in Thai politics.

The Thai government expressed its displeasure
"If Thaksin moves to Cambodia, it will affect our relationship," Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya said at a press conference in Cha-am. Kasit, together with Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, is part of a coalition government that replaced Thaksin allies with the support of the Thai army last year. The previous government came to power in December 2007 through democratic elections.

Border disputes between the two countries
There have been tensions between Cambodia and Thailand over the border line for some time. The two countries use different maps and do not agree on the exact course of their 800-kilometer border. The main point of contention is a tenth century Hindu temple, Preah Vihear. The French settlers in Cambodia claimed the temple, but when the French left, Thai troops occupied the site. Thailand returned Preah Vihear to Cambodia following a 1962 International Court ruling, but troops from the two countries have been eyeing each other in the mine-strewn area of ​​the temple ever since.

Thai nationalists reacted furiously last year when the World Heritage Committee confirmed that Preah Vihear belongs to Cambodia. Thailand and Cambodia increased their troop strength around the disputed area. Three people were killed in a shootout in April. In September, Hun Sen ordered his soldiers to immediately open fire if Thai people crossed the border illegally.

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Cambodian Foreign Minister Hor Namhong demanded that the border dispute also be included in the agenda of the Asean summit in Cha-am, but host country Thailand prevented that. Cambodia had previously reported the matter to the UN Security Council. The other member states of ASEAN were not happy about this.