Chronology: Thai-Cambodian relations

In May 2008 Cambodia applies to have the Preah Vihear Temple named a World Heritage Site.

June 2008 Preah Vihear is shut down after a People's Alliance for Democracy protest at the site.

July 2008 Cambodia tries to raise the conflict at an Asean Ministerial Meeting and the United Nations Security Council.

July 2008 A ministerial meeting in Siem Reap attempts to ease the conflict.

Oct 2008 Border skirmish.

Nov 2008 First round of joint boundary commission meeting.

Dec 2008 Change of Thai government.

April 2009 Another military clash at Preah Vihear.

July 2009 Thailand repeats its opposition to the Preah Vihear inscription.

Oct 2009 Hun Sen announces he intends to offer former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra a house and a job.

Nov 2009 Hun Sen appoints Thaksin, prompting both countries to recall their ambassadors.



Thaksin's blurring sense of patriotism is understandable. Even if he had nothing to do with the Cambodian moves, the least he could have done is show he cared about his country. Thaksin could have said "No, but thank you" to the cambodian offer, but he instead chose to inflame the situation by saying the Thai government was overreacting.



To do nothing would show the Thai government to be weak. This is finally a response to the series of insults from what was in essence Hun Sen's declaration against the current Thai government. Whether he was bought or not, Hun Sen began this situation, and I'm sure welcomes the escalation of tension.As was said, Thaksin is a mediocre businessman at best when removed from his Thai bubble of cronyism. Imagine how he would have reacted if something similar had happened while he was in power! He would have had Cambodians slaughtered wholesale (probably under the guise of a "war on drugs") throughout Thailand for the insult!Who I really pity in all of this are the poor farmers who will now have to be herded together, riled up with nationalist bs, and set loose on Thailand to fight for this one man's greed. This will only take them further from their laudable goals of equality and poverty reduction.