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CNA
18 hours ago
- Politics
- CNA
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.
New Indian Express
a day ago
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Thai prime minister's leaked phone call with Cambodia's Hun Sen sparks outrage, political turmoil
Paetongtarn said her comments were a negotiation tactic and that her goal was to bring peace between the countries. However, she said she would no longer engage in a private talk with Hun Sen as she could not trust him. 'It's now clear that all that he cares about is his popularity in the country, without considering impacts on relations with other countries,' she said. Thailand's Foreign Affairs Ministry said it submitted a protest letter over the leaked recording with the Cambodian ambassador, saying that Cambodia's actions were unacceptable and 'a breach of diplomatic etiquette, a serious violation of trust, and undermines conduct between two neighboring countries.' Paetongtarn has described the two families as having close, longtime relationships. Her father Thaksin and Hun Sen reportedly regard each other as 'godbrothers.' In 2009, Hun Sen appointed Thaksin as a Cambodian government adviser, but Thaksin soon resigned the position. Mounting pressure Hours after the leak, the Bhumjaithai party, the biggest partner in Paetongtarn's ruling coalition, said it would quit because of the leaked phone call. The party's statement said the recording 'posed an impact on Thailand's sovereignty, territory, interests and the army.' The party called for Paetongtarn to take responsibility for the damage, although they did not say how. There has already been a rift between Bhumjaithai and Pheu Thai over reports that the former would be shuffled out of the powerful Interior Ministry. Several Bhumjaithai leaders are also under investigation over the alleged rigging of the Senate election in which many figures who are reportedly close to the party claimed a majority of seats. The departure of Bhumjaithai left the 10-party coalition with 255 seats, just above the majority of the 500-seat house. Opposition leader Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut of the People's Party on Thursday called for Paetongtarn to dissolve Parliament and hold a new election. He said the leaked phone call was 'the last straw' that destroyed people's faith in her administration. Dozens of nationalists protesters gathered near the Government House on Thursday, holding Thai national flags and signs calling for Paetongtarn to resign. Some senators said they will file a motion to impeach her, and several other individuals also filed complaints over the matter to law enforcement agencies. People have also expressed concern that Paetongtarn's comment towards the local army commander could potentially lead to a military coup. Her father, Thaksin, was ousted in a coup in 2006, and Thaksin's sister, Yingluck Shinawatra, became prime minister in 2011 and was also toppled by the military in 2014. The military said in a statement Thursday that it would like the people to 'maintain confidence in the Royal Thai Army's steadfast commitment to constitutional monarchy and its readiness to execute its constitutional mandate of protecting national sovereignty through established legal frameworks and institutional mechanisms."
France 24
a day ago
- Politics
- France 24
Thailand's 'Yellow Shirts' return to streets demand PM quit
The scandal rocked Paetongtarn's coalition after the Bhumjaithai party, a key partner, pulled out on Wednesday, accusing her of undermining the country and insulting the dignity of the military. The leaked call, in which Paetongtarn referred to the Thai army's northeastern commander as her opponent and addressed Hun Sen as "uncle" has drawn strong public backlash. The protest, held in scorching tropical heat, drew mostly elderly demonstrators wearing yellow shirts -- the colour strongly associated with Thailand's monarchy -- who accused the 38-year-old leader of "lacking diplomatic skills" and "endangering national interests". "I was very disappointed when I heard the (leaked) audio," Kanya Hanotee, 68, a temple worker told AFP. "She lacks negotiation skills. Who does she think she is? This country is not hers." Protesters waved Thai flags and placards labelling Paetongtarn a "traitor", and chanted "Get out!" and "Go to hell!" while dozens of riot police stood nearby. Many in the crowd were longtime supporters of the conservative, pro-royalist "Yellow Shirt" movement, which has fiercely opposed the Shinawatra political dynasty since the 2000s. Kaewta, 62, a housewife from Bangkok said she joined Yellow Shirt protests near Bangkok's Democracy Monument two decades ago. "I didn't support any political party. All I knew was that I hated Thaksin and his family," she told AFP. "Our politicians are all corrupt." 20-year battle The battle between the conservative pro-royal establishment and Thaksin's political movement backed by its own "Red Shirt" supporters has dominated Thai politics for more than 20 years. Yellow Shirts, backed by Royalists and business elites, led 2008 protests that shut Bangkok's airports, stranded tourists, and helped topple a Thaksin-linked government. In 2010, pro-Thaksin "Red Shirt" protesters rallied in Bangkok in opposition to the military-backed government, ending in a bloody crackdown that left more than 90 people dead. "The power has been passed from her father to her aunt, and now to her," said Mek Sumet, 59, an electrical equipment seller who took part in the 2008 Don Mueang airport occupation. "She doesn't think of the country but only of herself," he told AFP. The kingdom has had a dozen coups since the end of absolute monarchy in 1932, and the current crisis has inevitably triggered rumours that another may be in the offing. Despite Thailand's long history of coups, some protestors openly welcomed the idea of another military intervention. "I want the military to take control," Kanya told AFP.
The Star
7 days ago
- Politics
- The Star
Court calls witnesses in Thaksin hospital probe
The top court ordered 20 witnesses to testify in a case over former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra's (pic) hospital stay following his return from exile. Thaksin, 75, returned to Thailand in August 2023 after more than a decade in exile and was sentenced to eight years in prison on graft-related charges. He was sent to a detention facility but quickly moved to a private room in a police hospital due to health issues, sparking public speculation that he was being given special treatment. The Supreme Court's Criminal Division for Holders of Political Positions is investigating whether he served his sentence properly, and yesterday summoned witnesses including doctors from the Department of Corrections to appear next month. Winyat Chatmontree, head of Thaksin's legal team, said the dates could clash with a separate criminal trial on lese-majeste charges over comments the former premier made to South Korean media a decade ago, which is also set to begin next month. Former Manchester City owner Thaksin, ousted in a 2006 coup, returned to Thailand on the same day the Pheu Thai Party, led by his daughter Paetongtarn, formed a coalition government, fuelling speculation of a political deal. He spent around six months in the Police General Hospital before being pardoned by King Maha Vajiralongkorn and freed on parole. The legal developments come as the government faces a border dispute with Cambodia and internal tensions within its coalition. Thaksin remains popular among his support base but is strongly opposed by the country's royalist and military establishment. — AFP
The Star
13-06-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Top Thai court calls in 20 witnesses in Thaksin hospital probe
Members of the media wait in front of the Supreme Court on the day of the hearing on the legality of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra's six-month hospital stay before he was granted parole, in Bangkok, Thailand, on Friday, June 13, 2025. -- Photo: REUTERS/Chalinee Thirasupa BANGKOK (AFP): Thailand's top court on Friday ordered 20 witnesses to testify in a case over former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra's hospital stay following his return from exile. Thaksin, 75, returned to Thailand in August 2023 after more than a decade in exile and was sentenced to eight years in prison on graft-related charges. He was sent to a detention facility but quickly moved to a private room in a police hospital due to health issues, sparking public speculation that he was being given special treatment. The Supreme Court's Criminal Division for Holders of Political Positions is investigating whether he served his sentence properly, and on Friday summoned witnesses including doctors from the Department of Corrections to appear next month. Winyat Chatmontree, head of Thaksin's legal team, said the dates could clash with a separate criminal trial on lese-majeste charges over comments the former premier made to South Korean media a decade ago, which is also set to begin next month. The Supreme Court refused his request to reschedule its hearings. Former Manchester City owner Thaksin, ousted in a 2006 coup, returned to Thailand on the same day the Pheu Thai Party, led by his daughter Paetongtarn, formed a coalition government, fuelling speculation of a political deal. He spent around six months in the Police General Hospital before being pardoned by King Maha Vajiralongkorn and freed on parole. The legal developments come as the government faces a border dispute with Cambodia and internal tensions within its coalition. Thaksin remains popular among his support base but is strongly opposed by the country's royalist and military establishment. - AFP
