Nationalism based on reason

The paper welcomed the decision from both countries to hold a meeting to sort out the conflict over the overlapping territory covering 4.6 square kilometres adjacent to the Preah Vihear site today.

Thailand considers the area to be one that overlaps the two countries, while Cambodia considers it part of their territory. Therefore, both sides should try to use diplomatic means to sort out their differences. The use of armed force to solve the problem should be avoided at all costs because it would not be good for either side.

The paper said the government should deal with the problem, while private citizens should not take the matter into their own hands. Otherwise, they might jeopardise the country's attempt to protect our national interests. If citizens believe the Thai government has acted inappropriately in any way, they should ask for a remedy from Parliament rather than causing friction with their neighbours.

It said that "nationalism" is an admirable concept, but it should be based on reason and facts. The international court ruled the temple area belonged to Cambodia in 1962 and the Thai government hasn't contested that decision since then. Thus, the remaining issue to be sorted is the area where claims overlap. Thais should respect the ruling of the international court and focus on this remaining issue, it said.

Daily News

Daily News's editorial was entitled "Politicians must not violate the law". It referred to the Constitution, the supreme law of the country. The paper said that although many Thais may not read the Constitution in detail, they are interested to learn about developments relating to it, especially the shareholding scandal of ministers and whether Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej had violated the charter by hosting his cooking TV show programme.

The shareholding requirement, for instance, covers all MPs and senators. Constitution Article 265, second paragraph, says that politicians should not have any conflict of interest by holding shares in the companies that would receive government concessions.

Article 267 stipulates that the prime minister must not be in the employ of any company. Thus, although Samak said he appeared on the TV show without receiving payment, experts would have to interpret the Constitution to determine whether Samak violated this stipulation.

The process to inspect the shareholding structures of both MPs and the government is done according to the democratic process in the nation's best interest. Therefore, politicians should respect the rule  of law. The law is written in good faith to get rid of dirty politicians who may violate the law in the future.