Commentary: Thailand and Cambodia share a border. They also share old wounds
SINGAPORE: In a rare breach of diplomatic norms, Cambodia's former leader Hun Sen on Wednesday (Jun 18) released a recording of a private phone call with Thailand's Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra on social media, escalating political tensions surrounding a long-running border dispute.
In the 17-minute audio, Ms Paetongtarn refers to Mr Hun Sen as 'uncle' and urges him to ignore the Thai general overseeing the army in the border area whom she described as being on 'the opposite side'. The remark has fuelled speculation about her relationship with the military, a politically sensitive issue given the army's role in ousting members of her family from power – her father Thaksin in 2006 and his sister Yingluck in 2014.
Ms Paetongtarn has since apologised and defended her remarks as a 'technical attempt to calm the country', insisting there is no conflict with the Thai military.
Further muddying the waters is the personal history between the two political families. Mr Thaksin and Mr Hun Sen - who is now president of Cambodia's Senate and the father of Cambodia's current Prime Minister Hun Manet - are long-time friends.
That neither moved to defuse the situation has prompted speculation about domestic issues in both countries.
PERSONAL TIES, POLITICAL STRAIN
The two countries appear to have been taking their relations for granted, says Dr Pavin Chachavalpongpun of Kyoto University's Centre for Southeast Asian Studies.
'During good times, leaders would be willing to put aside history, but when a regime becomes vulnerable or encounters domestic challenges, sometimes it is easy and convenient and even legitimate to bring back the wounds of history to divert domestic attention,' Dr Pavin told me.
Thailand and Cambodia share an 820km land border, parts of which are still not demarcated, and parts of which include ancient temples that both sides have contested for decades.
On May 28, a Cambodian soldier was killed in an exchange of gunfire between both nations' troops at a disputed spot between Cambodia's Preah Vihear province and Thailand's Ubon Ratchathani province, reigniting tensions.
The incident triggered the most serious crisis between Cambodia and Thailand in years, with both sides making bristling statements and beefing up troops while scrambling to convene a two-day meeting of their Joint Boundary Commission (JBC) in Phnom Penh – which ended with no conclusion on Jun 15.
For Ms Paetongtarn, the crisis is an early test of leadership. Installed last year through a fragile coalition, she inherited both the Shinawatra name and its baggage. Her statement following the JBC - that Thailand 'will not tolerate maltreatment, accusations or threats from any party' - was widely seen as an effort to project firmness. But the leaked phone call and the perception that she had undermined her own army's authority has complicated that stance.
She is now facing mounting calls to resign. The conservative Bhumjaithai Party, the second largest in the alliance, pulled out of the coalition on Jun 18, saying Ms Paetongtarn had "damaged the sovereignty and well-being of the country and Thai Army".
GRIP OF SHARED HISTORY
No one expects a dramatic escalation. 'Neither country can afford a war,' former Thai foreign minister Kasit Piromya told me.
But no one expects easy or speedy resolution either, as the issues involved are complex and complicated by domestic nationalism.
In fact, like the famed stone ruins of Angkor's Ta Prohm held in place by the tentacles of giant strangler figs, Thailand and Cambodia seem unable to decisively shake off the grip of the perceived wounds of their ironically shared history.
Both countries have their own narratives to suit their mutual sense of victimhood and injustice - Cambodia through memories of the glory of its Angkor period lost to colonisation and encroachment by neighbours, and Thailand through a nostalgic view of its own imperial past, particularly the Ayutthaya era.
Border disputes are particularly difficult to resolve to both parties' satisfaction because they often represent the legacy of historical conditions that no longer exist, a former Thai ambassador told me.
Each side has its own popular narrative formed over decades or centuries, which can metastasize with each retelling until it becomes part of the national identity, spawning chauvinistic memes that later generations with no direct memory of the grievances may nevertheless accept on faith, he said.
Any agreements on the border would mean both countries would need to give up some territory, and that would be difficult for their governments to sell to their public.
The best one can hope for is that pragmatism wins over emotions. Politics should be removed from efforts to resolve border disputes, governments and opinion leaders should refrain from stoking the flames of nationalism, and quiet diplomacy allowed to take its course.
All this is, of course, easier said than done.
'For all the cooperation frameworks in the region, Thailand and some of its neighbours are still in the trust-building phase,' said the former Thai ambassador who spoke with me on condition of anonymity. 'Our proximity means we have a long history together. It also means we need to set aside our feuds and grudges if we are to have a future together.'
Nirmal Ghosh, a former foreign correspondent, is an author and independent writer based in Singapore. He writes a monthly column for CNA, published every third Friday.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Straits Times
2 hours ago
- Straits Times
Thailand's economy teeters as political turmoil threatens recovery efforts
FILE PHOTO: A view of the city at twilight as the sun sets, in Bangkok, Thailand, May 15, 2025. REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha/File Photo FILE PHOTO: Thailand's Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra speaks during a press conference at the Government House, in Bangkok, Thailand, May 19, 2025. REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha/File Photo BANGKOK - Thailand's economy is already on the ropes. Consumption has remained tepid despite a government stimulus programme, few of its economic engines are firing, and uncertainty wrought by U.S. President Donald Trump's reciprocal tariffs means that the Thai economy could grow just over 1% this year. Now, Southeast Asia's second-largest economy faces a fresh challenge: a new round of political chaos that can bring down Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra or her ruling Pheu Thai party. "We are currently in a period of economic downturn, with many issues affecting us," Visit Limlurcha, vice chairman of the Thai Chamber of Commerce, told Reuters. "This could make things even more complicated." The most significant short-term concern is the passage of a 3.78 trillion baht ($115 billion) budget for the 2026 fiscal year, which starts on October 1, that must pass through parliament over the next few months. That process could get stalled if Paetongtarn, who is under siege for her handling of a festering border row with neighbouring Cambodia, dissolves parliament and triggers fresh elections. "If parliament is dissolved before the budget is passed, the process will be delayed significantly," said Prakit Siriwattanaket, managing director of Merchant Partners Asset Management. Thailand's economy has lagged regional peers as it struggles under high household debt and borrowing costs, and sluggish demand from China, which is also a key tourism market. It expanded 2.5% last year, and growth could be further halved this year due to U.S. tariffs, Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira said last month. Thailand's stock market has been the worst performing bourse in Asia so far this year, down 23.4%. Industrial sentiment also hit its lowest in eight months in May, even as consumer confidence dropped to a 27-month low. There is a clear need to press ahead with government spending, which has dropped by over 38% annually during April-May 2025, OCBC economists Lavanya Venkateswaran and Jonathan Ng said in a report on Thursday, warning of a "double whammy" for the economy if both government expenditure and exports weaken. PROTESTS AND TARIFFS Amid the ongoing tumult, Paetongtarn may be able to hang on to her premiership and a coalition led by her Pheu Thai party could retain its majority, albeit in a weaker position compared to its previous grip on the parliament. Such an arrangement will prolong political instability and raise the spectre of street protests, which have been part of previous crises and could hit one of Thailand's key remaining economic engines: tourism. "I'm worried. I don't want the situation to cause people to take to the streets," Thienprasit Chaiyapatranun, President of Thai Hotels Association, which represents around 1,000 hospitality establishments, told Reuters. "If they take to the streets, it will hit tourism." Activists - including those who have in the past agitated against Paetongtarn's father, the divisive former premier Thaksin Shinawatra - met on Friday to plan a major protest next week, and demanded the prime minister's resignation. A government lacking full authority may also struggle in ongoing trade negotiations with the United States, which has threatened to impose a 36% tariff rate on imports from Thailand, said Natapon Khamthakrue, an analyst at Yuanta Securities. "The United States certainly would not want to talk to a government without full power or with few votes," he said. Some business chambers and analysts are, nonetheless, holding out hope that a political resolution can be found quickly, minimising damage to the Thai economy, which has been rattled by multiple coups in the last eight decades, including two against governments led by the Shinawatra family. "Although the economy is no stranger to political uncertainty," OCBC's economists said, "the timing could not be more inconvenient considering external headwinds." REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
CNA
3 hours ago
- CNA
Thai PM faces call to step down to avert coalition revolt
BANGKOK: Thailand's embattled Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra was facing the prospect of losing her government's majority on Friday (Jun 20) as a vital coalition partner looked set to demand her resignation after just 10 months in power. Paetongtarn, the politically inexperienced daughter of divisive tycoon and former premier Thaksin Shinawatra, is fighting fires on multiple fronts, struggling to breathe life into a stagnant economy facing steep US tariffs and under pressure to take a tougher stand on a territorial row with Cambodia that has seen their troops mobilise at the border. The United Thai Nation (UTN) party, the second-largest partner in her alliance, will demand Paetongtarn, 38, step down as a condition for it to remain in the Pheu Thai Party-led coalition, two UTN sources told Reuters, requesting anonymity because they were not authorised to speak to media. "If she doesn't resign, the party would leave the government," one source said. "We want the party leader to tell the PM as a courtesy." Though Paetongtarn received a boost on Friday with another coalition partner, the Democrat Party, pledging its support, Thailand's youngest premier is still in an untenable position, with her majority hinging on UTN staying in the alliance following Wednesday's exit by the larger Bhumjaithai Party. UTN has not said when it will announce its position. Asked about its decision, UTN spokesperson Akaradej Wongpitakroj declined to provide details. "We have to wait for the party leader to inform the prime minister first," he said. Reflecting concerns in financial markets, the Thai baht weakened for a fifth consecutive session on Friday and was on course to log its worst week since late February. TUMULTUOUS PAST Paetongtarn's battle to stay in power demonstrates the declining strength of Pheu Thai, the populist juggernaut of the billionaire Shinawatra family that has dominated Thai elections since 2001, enduring military coups and court rulings that have toppled multiple governments and prime ministers. But Paetongtarn is facing domestic anger and the prospect of an internal revolt over Wednesday's embarrassing leak of a phone call between her and Cambodia's influential former leader Hun Sen - once seen as a Shinawatra family ally - which her critics say posed a threat to Thailand's sovereignty and integrity. During the conversation, Paetongtarn called for a peaceful resolution of the border dispute and disparaged an outspoken Thai army general who she said "just wants to look cool", a red line in a country where the military has a high profile and significant political clout. Political activists met on Friday to schedule a major protest in Bangkok starting on Jun 28 to demand Paetongtarn resign and coalition partners leave the government. Those included groups with a history of crippling rallies against Shinawatra administrations. Paetongtarn has not commented on the turmoil in her government and has tried to present a united front on the Cambodia issue, appearing on Thursday alongside military chiefs and vowing to defend sovereignty. The premier will make a morale-boosting visit to military units at the Cambodia border on Friday, where she is due to meet Lieutenant General Boonsin Padklang, the regional commander whom she criticised in the leaked call. Paetongtarn's options for staying in power are limited unless her allies can succeed in behind-the-scenes horse-trading to keep her alliance from crumbling. A snap election could damage Pheu Thai at a time of dwindling popularity and play into the hands of the progressive opposition People's Party, the largest force in parliament. Two Pheu Thai sources told Reuters the party is confident Paetongtarn can avoid resigning or dissolving parliament and her government is considering a major cabinet reshuffle to fill vacant positions.
Straits Times
3 hours ago
- Straits Times
Thai PM faces call to step down to avert coalition revolt
Royalist activists take part in an anti-government protest, following a leak on Wednesday of a phone call between Thailand's Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra and Cambodia's Hun Sen, the influential former premier of Cambodia, amid a border dispute between the two countries, near the Government House, in Bangkok, Thailand, June 19, 2025. REUTERS/Chalinee Thirasupa TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY Royalist activists hold signs as they take part in an anti-government protest, following a leak on Wednesday of a phone call between Thailand's Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra and Cambodia's Hun Sen, the influential former premier of Cambodia, amid a border dispute between the two countries, near the Government House, in Bangkok, Thailand, June 19, 2025. REUTERS/Chalinee Thirasupa BANGKOK - Thailand's embattled Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra was facing the prospect of losing her government's majority on Friday as a vital coalition partner looked set to demand her resignation after just 10 months in power. Paetongtarn, the politically inexperienced daughter of divisive tycoon and former premier Thaksin Shinawatra, is fighting fires on multiple fronts, struggling to breathe life into a stagnant economy facing steep U.S. tariffs and under pressure to take a tougher stand on a territorial row with Cambodia that has seen their troops mobilise at the border. The United Thai Nation party, the second-largest partner in her alliance, will demand Paetongtarn, 38, step down as a condition for it to remain in the Pheu Thai Party-led coalition, two UTN sources told Reuters, requesting anonymity because they were not authorised to speak to media. "If she doesn't resign, the party would leave the government," one source said. "We want the party leader to tell the PM as a courtesy." Though Paetongtarn received a boost on Friday with another coalition partner, the Democrat Party, pledging its support, Thailand's youngest premier is still in an untenable position, with her majority hinging on UTN staying in the alliance following Wednesday's exit by the larger Bhumjaithai Party. UTN has not said when it will announce its position. Asked about its decision, UTN spokesperson Akaradej Wongpitakroj declined to provide details. "We have to wait for the party leader to inform the prime minister first," he said. Reflecting concerns in financial markets, the Thai baht THB=TH weakened for a fifth consecutive session on Friday and was on course to log its worst week since late February. TUMULTUOUS PAST Paetongtarn's battle to stay in power demonstrates the declining strength of Pheu Thai, the populist juggernaut of the billionaire Shinawatra family that has dominated Thai elections since 2001, enduring military coups and court rulings that have toppled multiple governments and prime ministers. But Paetongtarn is facing domestic anger and the prospect of an internal revolt over Wednesday's embarrassing leak of a phone call between her and Cambodia's influential former leader Hun Sen - once seen as a Shinawatra family ally - which her critics say posed a threat to Thailand's sovereignty and integrity. During the conversation, Paetongtarn called for a peaceful resolution of the border dispute and disparaged an outspoken Thai army general who she said "just wants to look cool", a red line in a country where the military has a high profile and significant political clout. Political activists met on Friday to schedule a major protest in Bangkok starting on June 28 to demand Paetongtarn resign and coalition partners leave the government. Those included groups with a history of crippling rallies against Shinawatra administrations. Paetongtarn has not commented on the turmoil in her government and has tried to present a united front on the Cambodia issue, appearing on Thursday alongside military chiefs and vowing to defend sovereignty. The premier will make a morale-boosting visit to military units at the Cambodia border on Friday, where she is due to meet Lieutenant General Boonsin Padklang, the regional commander whom she criticised in the leaked call. Paetongtarn's options for staying in power are limited unless her allies can succeed in behind-the-scenes horse-trading to keep her alliance from crumbling. A snap election could damage Pheu Thai at a time of dwindling popularity and play into the hands of the progressive opposition People's Party, the largest force in parliament. Two Pheu Thai sources told Reuters the party is confident Paetongtarn can avoid resigning or dissolving parliament and her government is considering a major cabinet reshuffle to fill vacant positions. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
