Ties with Phnom Penh tangled in political morass October 29, 2009 By Kornchanok@nationgroup.com The Nation The Democrats have proven that relations

Ties with Phnom Penh tangled in political morass

The Democrats have proven that relations between Thailand and Cambodia depend very much on local politics.

Apart from the ruling party's link to fugitive ex-PM Thaksin Shinawatra, the Democrat's different roles - as the opposition last year and as the government now - is affecting its reactions to the problem.

Last June, the Democrats used Preah Vihear issue as a reason to impeach then-foreign minister Noppadon Pattama during the censure debate.

PM Abhisit Vejjajiva, then the opposition leader, attacked Noppadon for having signed a communiqué with Cambodia over a map of the Preah Vihear compound, which was used by Phnom Penh to register the temple as a World Heritage Site. Samak Sundaravej's Cabinet then endorsed the agreement.
October 29, 2009
By Kornchanok@nationgroup.com
The Nation

The Democrats have proven that relations between Thailand and Cambodia depend very much on local politics.

Apart from the ruling party's link to fugitive ex-PM Thaksin Shinawatra, the Democrat's different roles - as the opposition last year and as the government now - is affecting its reactions to the problem.

Last June, the Democrats used Preah Vihear issue as a reason to impeach then-foreign minister Noppadon Pattama during the censure debate.

PM Abhisit Vejjajiva, then the opposition leader, attacked Noppadon for having signed a communiqué with Cambodia over a map of the Preah Vihear compound, which was used by Phnom Penh to register the temple as a World Heritage Site. Samak Sundaravej's Cabinet then endorsed the agreement.