This is what the border clash between Thailand and Cambodia for the Preah Vihear temple ruins and surrounding land has come down to. Thailand is accusing Cambodia of using Black Magic and Cambodia is accusing Thailand of war crimes and using cluster bombs.
The disputed area at Preah Vihear has been quiet for a couple of days though the sabers are still being rattled by politicians and will get louder on Monday when Foreign Ministers from Cambodia and Thailand present their respective cases to the United Nations. It should be a real comedy for two politicians trying to maintain “face” in front of their constituents and the rest of the world.
There is an excellent editorial on Preah Vihear in today’s Nation
If this dispute becomes internationalised, Thailand stands to lose face in the long run, as the 1962 ruling will be amplified and make Thailand look as if it is still crying over spilled milk.
This is what the whole mess is about – face. Thailand, primarily the yellow shirt political party, has made this a rallying call, getting folks all riled up about an issue that has already been resolved. At least resolved in the eyes of the rest of the world. So, for the sake of politics, and trying to get the Thai people all up in arms, the yellow shirts keep harping on this issue, forgetting the facts, and are trying to use this as an excuse to oust the current Thai Prime Minister.
I don’t understand the Thai Government’s position in all of this. The Hague has already ruled on Preah Vihear in 1962 using a French map from the early 1900′s. UNESCO has already declared the area a World Heritage site for Cambodia. It definitely is spilled milk or sour grapes.
And then today, in the Bangkok Post, the 2nd Thai Army Chief, Lt Gen Thawatchai, passed out Buddhist amulets to Thai soldiers guarding the border because of rumors that the Cambodian Army is using Black Magic.
Now, I am a firm believer in wearing a Buddhist amulet or three and I believe that if you believe it will protect you, it will. I just hope that the Thai Army uses more conventional means for protection like body armor, Kevlar helmets, and digs in deep in bunkers.
And, I also hope that the Thai people come to realize that this whole mess is all political and nothing will be gained by this dragging on. I expect the Thai Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya and his Cambodian counterpart Hor Nam Hong will both come off looking like fools in front of a world audience next Monday. Khun Kasit will need some sort of magic to convince the UN that Thailand still has a stake at Preah Vihear.
But, hey, it isn’t about facts, it is about face.
Preah Vihear Temple Ruins
Preah Vihear Temple Ruins Cambodian Flag
Preah Vihear Temple Ruins Cambodian
Preah Vihear Temple Ruins Cambodia
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