Nationalism trumps mutual benefit with Preah Vihear

Here are some examples: Glacier International Peace Park, about half the size of Thailand, is administered jointly by Canadians and Americans.  The Oresund Bridge was a giant joint project linking Denmark and Sweden and was paid and built jointly by both countries. There's also talk of a giant bridge connecting Alaska and easternmost Siberia, which would entail direct American and Russian cooperation.  Antarctica is another example.

In contrast, there are little if any such projects or parks in Asia, that entail tangible cooperation, goodwill, and an easing of international boundary formalities. Perhaps Mount Everest (Tibet and Nepal) or K2 (Pakistan and Tibet) might qualify. The Spratley Islands, which are equidistant from Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines, Brunei and Vietnam would be a prime place to start an international marine reserve area, but there's no chance of that happening. Indeed, China, which is twice the distance than all those other countries, is also laying claim to the Spratleys and will probably get them, because it's the mightiest player in the dispute.

Closer to home, the Preah Vihear Temple could be an ideal candidate for starting true Thai-Cambodian cooperation on a real level.  It's ideally suited for showing that country borders are only man-made lines in the sand, and cooperation between people is more important. Why not simply declare the temple territory as jointly owned and managed by both countries? 

Message to Thai and Cambodian leaders: dare to buck the trend of hard-headed nationalism - at least for a few rai of land.  Both countries will benefit far more than either country will individually, and visitors to the site will be the big winners - particularly if they can avoid the silly Bt50 charge by Thai Army to use the little access road, plus the chintzy border-crossing formalities.

Ken Albertsen

Chiang Rai

Noppadon selective when taking responsibility

Now that the affair has turned into a hot potato, Foreign Minister Noppadon protests, "I'm not to blame! It's the previous government that pushed to support Cambodia's registration of the Preah Vihear Temple as a world heritage site, not me!" If that's so, sir, when all was roses, why didn't you give credit where you now insist credit was due, and say, "Don't thank me - thank Prime Minister Surayud"? Then, why was it only your face on stage and in the papers? Are you in the forefront only when the roses are handed out and nowhere to be found when it's brickbat time?

As Joseph Welch asked Senator McCarthy, "Have you no sense of decency, sir, at long last? Have you left no sense of decency?"

Burin Kantabutra

Bangkok

Soi dogs taking a bite out

of Bangkok's cyclists

Concerning talk about creating dedicated bicycle lanes in Bangkok, how do we get to the lanes if soi dogs take the fun out of riding a bike in Bangkok?

I just recently purchased a beautiful new bike and tried to ride in Bangkok several times.

It simply doesn't work. The public parks are for runners and walkers.

The main streets belong to the aggressive bus drivers and the smaller sois belong to the soi dogs!

Has Bangkok Governor Apirak Kosayodhin ever tried to ride his bicycle through one of the smaller streets of our lovely town without getting attacked, being chased or barked at by some rotten, stinking and aggressive pack of soi dogs?

I am forced to ride upcountry.

I would love to go more ecofriendly in Bangkok, but the dogs are in my way. Get rid of them!

Tonilo

Bangkok

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