Published on October 21, 2005 - Tense words and suspension of direct dialogue have not helped to ease tension between between Thailand and Malaysia over dramas in the restive deep South.

The testy exchange between Foreign Minister Kantathi Supha-mongkhon and his Malaysian counterpart Syed Hamid Albar, who accused each other of being immature and insincere, occurred after Malaysian activists’ called for a boycott of Thai-made Colgate and Five Star chicken.

In retaliation, Thai nationalists staged a rally in front of the Malaysian Embassy in Bangkok last week and circulated a list of Malaysian products which they said Thais should stop buying.

A message circulated by e-mail yesterday also called upon Thais to rise up against Malaysian troops, who it claimed were being deployed on the Thai-Malay border. The information was not true but is an example of how the issue has become heated and could cause significant damage if there is further misunderstanding.

Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra seems to have underestimated the latest events. He told reporters yesterday the verbal exchange was just a matter of “teeth and tongue” and the kind of conflict close neighbours could expect due to their proximity.

Asked about a possible boycott of Thai products, he said: “Don’t worry, it is the concern of the business sector, which knows perfectly well how to deal with the situation.”

Relations with Kuala Lumpur became strained in late August when 131 Muslims from Narathiwat sought refuge in Malaysia’s Northern Kelantan state, allegedly due to concerns about their safety.

The prime minister and Thai intelligence agencies claimed that the refugees’ flight was a stunt designed to damage Thailand’s image. Thailand was also upset that UN refugee officials were allowed to interview the 131, who were shifted further away from the border.

The Thai Foreign Ministry later accused Kuala Lumpur of not trying to help solve the problem. Thaksin and Foreign Minister Kantathi said they would not talk directly to their respective counterparts on the issue unless Kuala Lumpur sent a positive signal of its willingness to cooperate.

Thaksin appears confident that everything will be sorted out once he meets with Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, who he claims is a “close friend”, at the Apec summit being held in South Korea next month.

However, as the current issues stretch beyond matters of personal relations, Thaksin and his government would be wise to implement a proper strategy to deal with Kuala Lumpur bearing in mind that Malaysia has its own reasons for concern, including the potential for the violence in the deep South to spill over the border.

Kuala Lumpur is also unlikely to allow the 131 Muslims to return home if there is any danger as the opposition party in the northern Malay states could use the issue for political gain.

The quick decision to offer condolences to Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah on the death of his wife and to have Deputy Prime Minister Surakiart Sathirathai attend her burial was a good step that may help ease tension between the two countries.

If the government really wants to re-establish ties it needs to stop the verbal exchange and block nationalists from fuelling the animosity, otherwise the situation could have dire repercussions.

Supalak Ganjanakhundee