The Thaksin Card

[Alternatives Watch]

Alternatives Watch – 20xi09


THE THAKSIN CARD


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.