Beware of the Thaksin-Hun Sen trap - Prawase

Prawase

Prawase also warned against fuelling feelings of patriotism among the people, which he said could lead to hatred against people in the neighbouring country and even a war between the two nations.

"I don't want the news [of the renewed spat between Thailand and Cambodia] to be reported in a way that would cause hatred among the peoples of the two countries. I want people to be aware that this is just a temporary issue of politicians," said Prawase.

He said ordinary citizens should not allow themselves to become victims of politicians, and politicians should not lead their people to war.

"I'd like to warn the government not to become a tool of Hun Sen and Thaksin," he added.

Prawase, a Magsaysay Award winner, said he suspected Hun Sen's trump card would be to lead his country into a war with Thailand in order to deflect the public's attention from his faults.

He urged Thais to view the Cambodians with kindness as Thailand is like an adult while Cambodia is a child. Thailand has more population, greater military might and economic power, he said.

Meanwhile, 22 MPs and 15 senators yesterday signed a letter demanding that Ramkhamhaeng University revoke its honorary degree awarded to Hun Sen due to his interference in Thailand's political affairs and his lack of diplomatic manners.

One of the MPs, Watchara Phetthong (Democrat-Bangkok), represented the group in submitting the letter to Parliament President Chai Chidchob to forward to the university.

Watchara also said the Army should stop providing Hun Sen and his family with free healthcare at a state-run hospital in Bangkok, an arrangement that has allegedly been going on for decades.

Deputy Prime Minister Sanan Kachornprasart said yesterday that he expected the row between the two countries to worsen, with the Cambodian government likely to expel all Thai diplomats in Phnom Penh and order the closure of the Thai Embassy there.