While Thai domestic politics are in turmoil, Thai leaders should demonstrate maturity and dignity and learn from the notable achievements of Cambodian leaders.
It is absurd and unexpected for a Thai leader to openly suggest “the arrest of Samdech Techo and Samdech Thipadei should they be found in Thailand.” Even if one does not understand international law, they should at least grasp the principles of international diplomacy. Or is it a case of not understanding either? If so, a leader of this caliber will only cause Thailand to regress and bring shame to its youth, people, and intellectuals. Such a leader does not even measure up to the understanding of most Thai youth and citizens who comprehend the laws and diplomatic relations between states, particularly the current generation of young Thai politicians who are knowledgeable enough to critically analyze such a statement. However, I will not delve too deeply into Thailand’s internal affairs; that is for the Thai youth, people, and intellectuals to address.
Even if this statement was merely an attempt to curry favor with the military, appease a certain segment of the Thai population, or serve as a political tactic to divert attention from domestic conflicts, it should have been handled differently. A national leader should not make one mistake on top of another. However, if there is a long-standing desire for Cambodian territory, then the current Thai leaders and a certain group of Thai people should be brave enough to acknowledge the maturity and shrewd political style of Cambodian leaders. They should study Cambodian leaders closely, as they are full of political morality, diplomatic discipline, and a deep understanding of international law, which has earned them respect in the region and on the international stage. Although not openly admitted, some current Thai politicians should be smart enough to secretly observe, reflect, and learn from the practical experience and distinguished political conduct, especially that of Samdech Techo Hun Sen and the confident leadership transition to Samdech Thipadei Hun Manet.
In fact, Thai youth, citizens, analysts, and politicians have already taken to social media to acknowledge the capabilities of Samdech Techo, the Cambodian leadership, and Cambodia as a whole, recognizing their strength, foresight, and political astuteness compared to their Thai counterparts. This is highlighted by Mr. Sondhi Limthongkul, a politician close to Mr. Thaksin, who recently left the Pheu Thai Party to join a Yellow Shirt faction. In a recent television interview, he spoke highly of Samdech Techo while giving a low rating to Mr. Thaksin.
This raises the question: Besides a small handful of politicians who are leading Thailand through a betrayal of the voters’ will and a messy group of Thai extremists, does anyone else know Samdech Techo and Samdech Thipadei? Do leaders and people in the broader region and the world not know Samdech Techo or Samdech Thipadei? Of course, they do. The international community, in general, is not as unfortunate as the Thai extremist politicians and people who have allowed themselves to become frogs in a well.
Is this a deliberate act of putting on a dog’s skin and parading through the village to deceive their own people under the watchful eyes of the international community? Why else would Thai political leaders, whether official or acting, including war-mongering military leaders, repeatedly use unsubstantiated language and overstep diplomatic boundaries, legal norms, and international conventions whenever they comment on topics related to Cambodia?
In a clear and direct response, Samdech Techo Hun Sen himself was just as dismayed as his fellow Cambodians. He expressed his disbelief at the acting Thai Prime Minister’s statement to journalists about his misguided efforts to take legal action against Samdech Techo and Samdech Thipadei.
Through his Facebook page, Samdech Techo wrote that if the newspaper’s report accurately reflected the acting Prime Minister’s words, it would show that this interim leader is uncivilized, a politician who does not understand legal principles, and who lacks diplomatic skills.
Where will that acting Thai Prime Minister hide his face? Where will the extremist Thai people who support such a baseless leader hide their faces, especially when other knowledgeable and dignified Thai youth, people, and intellectuals use Samdech Techo’s posts to question them? Samdech’s response was simple and direct: “If Thailand can arrest Cambodian leaders, Cambodia can also arrest some Thai leaders who have invaded and killed Cambodian people. The law has been destroyed by the invaders. Is this the purpose—to build trust and good relations or to destroy them and create conflict again after the ceasefire agreement?” This is not even considering the disdain and mockery from regional and world leaders regarding the strange and undignified words and behavior of the Thai leader.
Once again, I place high value on the phrase, “Cambodians may be poorer than Thais, but Cambodians are more dignified than Thais!” I also want to take this opportunity to state, as a Cambodian, that I am no different from other Cambodian citizens, young and old, male and female, both at home and abroad. We possess a very strong spirit of national unity and solidarity. We have been, and continue to be, respectful of and strictly adhere to the government’s guiding principles and the party’s policies with high discipline. This means we will never allow our national spirit to be undermined, nor will we ever let our government’s and party’s leadership become chaotic, bringing dishonor upon the nation, its youth, people, and intellectuals, as has happened in Thailand.
We are the descendants of the ancestors who built Angkor!
We are the next generation of the ancestors who founded this land of Suvarnabhumi!
We are the next generation of the leaders who liberated and rebuilt our nation from scratch, enabling it to stand with honor on the international stage!
We respect and support Samdech Techo, the chief political architect of Cambodia’s Win-Win Policy! We respect and support Samdech Thipadei, Cambodian political operator!
