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Reading your op-ed article suggesting that Hun Sen regards himself as far senior to Abhisit, and therefore worthy of more respect, reminds me of Zimbabwe's Robert Mugabe. Both leaders have been in power for 25+plus years, regarding themselves as senior and influential statesmen on their respective continents, although both their countries are among the 20 poorest in the world. Though they can claim to be democratically elected, it is through criminalisation of the opposition on spurious charges. Both are deluded about their stature and success, and preside over corrupt, near-failed states, while provocatively taunting those countries that they depend on economically. Both claim to have fought wars of liberation, and their leaders continue to behave like mercenaries rather than diplomatic heads of state. And both run their countries as if they were personal assets, much to the headache of their regional associations.

ANDREW

Chiang Mai

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Which one of the pair is the dummy?

It's so strange how Hun Sen talks exactly like Thaksin and all of Thaksin's followers, with very crude and calculated language. Is it possible that Thaksin is a ventriloquist or is it that Thaksin uses paranormal means to enter into Hun Sen's body to talk?

It is all very eerie.

LISA

Bangkok

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A litany of insults in just one day

In only one day, Hun Sen has achieved the following:

1 Admitted that he was provoking political tensions between neighbouring countries for personal reasons ("The problem with Thai-Cambodia relations is really a problem between myself and Khun Abhisit, the prime minister of Thailand") instead of acting in the national interest of Cambodia or in the common interest of both countries.

2 Violated international law. The refusal to even consider the extradition request and forward it to a Cambodian court is a blatant violation of international law. Clearly, if Hun Sen really believes that Cambodia has grounds to refuse extradition, then why does he not allow the process to follow its natural course and forward it to a Cambodian court?

3 Tried to draw neighbouring countries into the dispute by claiming: "He [PM Abhisit] has problems with all his neighbours, including Laos, Cambodia, Malaysia and Burma".

4 Insulted Thailand and its justice system by declaring: "There is nothing in the Thai judicial system that is worth respecting".

5 Insulted Thailand's prime minister: "You've stolen somebody else's chair to seat yourself in. You claim other people's property as your own. How can we respect that?"

6 Showed his current contempt for Thailand: "What does Thailand have that Cambodia has to respect?"

7 Showed his eternal contempt for Thailand: "Where was Thailand during the Angkor era? They claimed that Cambodia trespassed into Thai territory, but how could we? Study your history and see who the aggressor is."

8 Insulted everybody's intelligence: "Thailand is evidently attacking Cambodia."

No doubt, the events of 2003 warranted the border closing. But at the time, violence was simply the act of some angry and misinformed Cambodian people. In 2009, it is Hun Sen, the leader of Cambodia, who acts as a thug. It cannot be tolerated. It is time for Thailand to adopt the toughest diplomatic stance: Sever all diplomatic ties with Cambodia.

CANDIDE

Bangkok

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Bad smell drifts in from over the border

As the odour of treason wafts into Thailand from Cambodia, it is fascinating to discover that an anagram of Thaksin Shinawatra is: "Ah. A stink. Warn Thais."

All along, this whiff of a prophecy has been right under our very noses.

JOHN SHEPHERD

Bangkok

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MPs should be allowed to shoot each other in the House

By all means let MPs have their guns. It might serve to revive the noble tradition of duelling. To minimise any risk to the public at large, the weapons should be distributed as members enter the chamber at the beginning of each session, and collected as they leave.

CITIZEN JANE

Bangkok

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