The Anutin Charnvirakul government and its Cambodian counterpart must keep alive the commitments to peace and trust-building they agreed to on the Philippine island of Cebu.
The pledge between the Thai leader and Cambodian PM Hun Manet on May 7 offered positive signs towards the normalisation of bilateral relations that had soured following two rounds of armed conflict. However, the process is moving rather too slowly. The meeting between Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow and his counterpart, Prak Sukonn, in New York this week did not yield concrete results.
Therefore, prior discussions in Cebu about resuming bilateral mechanisms -- including the Joint Boundary Commission (JBC), General Border Committee (GBC) and Regional Border Committee (RBC) -- and ways to increase people-to-people contacts are stalled. That's unfortunate.
Coincidentally, this week marks the first anniversary of the military standoff in Nam Yuen district of Ubon Ratchathani, opposite Cambodia's Preah Vihear province. What began as a minor incident escalated into two rounds of armed confrontation, prompting Bangkok and Phnom Penh to recall their respective ambassadors several months ago. Border crossings have since been sealed, disrupting border trade worth more than 100 billion baht a year and restricting labour movement, leaving Thailand's construction and agricultural sectors struggling with shortages. In Cambodia, a ban on Thai goods and services remains in place, forcing Thai businesses to shut down.
Of course, the extended border conflicts give the military an excuse for an enormous increase in its arms budget while the country experiences an economic slump. At the same time, some media influencers can profit from large donations and popularity by inciting hatred through mis- and disinformation that helps increase likes and views on their pages. Few Thai people are aware of the financial losses incurred by certain economic sectors, as well as by the country as a whole. A number of entrepreneurs in border provinces are struggling badly. State authorities turn a blind eye to their calls for help.
Some in Thailand appear preoccupied with claims of territorial encroachment in overlapping border areas by the Thai military, despite international law and established demarcation agreements. Cambodia has described such actions as an attempt to "alter the border by force", which could constitute a breach of international law.
If so, there may be consequences. As neighbours, both sides would be better served by addressing border issues directly and in accordance with relevant laws and bilateral agreements.
It should also be noted that Mr Anutin has been quick to indulge nationalist voices calling for border closures and continued hostility towards Cambodia -- a group that has become a strong support base for him. This should not be encouraged. Mr Anutin would do well to heed the words of security expert Prof Surachart Bamrungsuk, who said: "Real patriots will not bring the country into war."
Thailand needs leadership with both integrity and courage -- leadership willing to tell the public the truth about the cost of war, which inevitably brings losses to both sides. The first anniversary of the military standoff should serve as an opportunity for both countries to reflect on what went wrong and seek constructive ways to move forward.
