The Wimp (Abhisit), The Bully (Hun Sen) and The Traitor (Chavalit): Characters for a new Thai-Cambodian soap opera? (Photo: Posted at KI-Media)By Sopon Onkgara
The Nation
Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva tried hard not to be perceived as a wimp after his Cambodian counterpart, big bully Hun Sen, stole the thunder before the Asean Summit over the weekend, with an affirmation that he would provide refuge to fugitive former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.
The first slap in the face was felt. Then came another blow to the other cheek. Hun Sen insolently declared that he would not abide by the extradition treaty agreement with Thailand. Interpretation of the pact would be based on his own opinion.
Such a hostile gesture is so unbecoming of a guest invited to participate in a significant meeting, attended by Asian national leaders, including from major powers such as China and Japan. Hun Sen himself might not find it easy to rub shoulders with people from the civilised world after spending half his life in jungles and around the Khmer Rouge killing fields. That's why, when the opportunity came, he tried to make the most of it, making his presence felt, if not shocking fellow Asean members and especially dialogue partners.
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