ASEAN: 2) “Diplomatic & National Security” progress pave way for Thai-Cambodian energy deal?

/ September 24, 2011

  • By Ranger, Thai Intel’s political journalist

There is a massive disputed track of area in the Gulf of Thailand, with potential of massive oil and gas potential-that fact is long known. But Thailand and Cambodia, have failed to develop the area-even as global hunger for energy continues an up-ward trajectory.

Thailand, currently rich in gas fields, but the fields are projected to run dry in the near future, and Cambodia, sees the oil and gas as potentially, propelling Cambodia’s economic development efforts.

A great deal is at stake, between the two countries-rocked with conflict in recent times.

The Bangkok Post has two reports on recent developments in the Thai and Cambodia relationship-with one on Thai Foreign Minister in New York and another on Thailand’s Defense Minister in Cambodia.

Both are worth reading, and they point to significant progress. However, nothing, is very simple in Thailand-as the Red Shirts that supports the Pheu Thai Party of the current government, is having a football match with Hun Sen, Cambodia’s prime minister and also the joint border talk unit in charged of the Phra Vihear area dispute settlement between Thailand and Cambodia sees some minor changes in negotiators.

Both, while are not very significant, in fact, however, with the Nationalist Thais-these are issues that they are building up for use in attacking the Yingluck government. Cooling the Nationalist tempers, however, may be the near release of two Nationalist spies, imprisoned in Cambodia.

During the Bush presidency, the USA focused on the war on terror, and interest in ASEAN very much was left to drift. With Obama, Hillary re-focused its interest in ASEAN-causing a revival of USA-ASEAN relationship, both for ASEAN trade and to counter-balance China’s growing influence in the area.

However, as that USA ASEAN drive took effect, ASEAN itself, became splintered, very much because of the Thai Cambodian conflict. It got to the point that ASEAN’s head, Surin, said the conflict was hurting ASEAN.

At the heart of the Thai Cambodian crisis, apart from the Phra Vihear relics dispute-is perhaps the World Bank estimate, rich oil and gas energy field, also disputed between Thailand and Cambodia-in the Gulf of Thailand.

The area, sees interest from global-class oil and gas firms-such as French’s Total to USA firms.

News out of Bangkok, is that the disputed area in the Gulf of Thailand, is being put aside, for a joint Thai-Cambodian development of the area.

The following are from Bangkok Post:

Thailand tells US it will try to build unity

    Published: 24/09/2011 at 12:00 AM

    Newspaper section: News

NEW YORK : Thailand has assured the United States that it will strive to avoid conflicts with neighbouring countries and unify Asean to create political security in the grouping.

The message was released through the US Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Kurt Campbell during talks with Foreign Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly yesterday.

During the talks, Mr Campbell expressed concern about Thailand’s waning role in Asean.

However, Mr Surapong informed Mr Campbell of the government’s policy to build unity in Asean and reduce conflicts, especially between Thailand and Cambodia.

“If Thailand and Cambodia can achieve improved relations through negotiations, it can be used as a model to resolve other conflicts like that between Palestine and Israel,” said Mr Surapong.

The minister also moved to allay the United States’ concerns about political stability in Thailand following the July 3 election and highlighted attempts to promote reconciliation in the country.

Mr Campbell also expressed concern about Burmese refugees living along the Thai-Burmese border.

Mr Surapong said it was the right of Burmese refugees to consider whether they would like to go back to their home country. However, he reiterated that if they want to go back, they must be able to return safely and with dignity.

Mr Campbell said the economic crisis in the US would not affect the relationship between Washington and Asia and the US would continue assisting Asian countries.

In another development, Thailand wants to promote more investment with Portugal and learn about developing alternative energy sources, such as wind, solar and waves, to replace reliance on oil and gas, Mr Surapong said during talks with Portuguese Foreign Minister Paolo Portas.

He also urged Portugal to push for visa exemptions for diplomatic and official passports between the countries.

Mr Surapong said Portugal also asked Thailand to support East Timor in its bid to become a new member of Asean as the nomination is opposed by some members of the bloc.

Defence ministers agree on troops exit

Hun Sen broaches idea of prisoner exchange

    Published: 24/09/2011 at 12:00 AM

    Newspaper section: News

The Thai and Cambodian defence ministers yesterday agreed to comply with the order of the International Court of Justice to withdraw troops from the disputed border area surrounding the Preah Vihear temple, but no specific date for a pullout was set.

“We have agreed to comply with the ICJ’s order and to allow Indonesian observers to monitor the ceasefire at the area,” Cambodian Defence Minister Tea Banh said after a 30-minute meeting with visiting Defence Minister Yutthasak Sasiprapa in Phnom Penh.

However, he said no exact date for the troop withdrawal was set, as both sides would discuss this at the General Border Commission (GBC) in future.

On July 18, the ICJ ordered Cambodia and Thailand to immediately withdraw military personnel from the provisional demilitarised zone on the disputed border near the Preah Vihear temple and allow Indonesian observers access to monitor the ceasefire.

Gen Yutthasak said in Bangkok before leaving for Phnom Penh that Thailand was ready for the GBC to be held in November after the agenda is approved by the National Security Council and the cabinet as required by law.

“We are ready to attend the meeting with Cambodia once all the procedures are followed properly. The [GBC] meeting is expected to be held in November and we want it to conclude by the end of November,” Gen Yutthasak said.

Gen Yutthasak also met Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen yesterday.

He told reporters Hun Sen had proposed a prisoner exchange programme between Thailand and Cambodia as a way to help Veera Somkwamkid and Ratree Pipattanapaibul, the two Thai nationals who are imprisoned in Phnom Penh on spying charges.

Hun Sen said the programme would not only help Veera and Ratree, but all 37 Thais in jail in Cambodia, mostly on drugs charges, Gen Yutthasak quoted Hun Sen as saying.

Veera and Ratree were sentenced to terms of eight and six years in prison, respectively.

The area around Preah Vihear temple has seen sporadic clashes over the disputed border territory since Unesco listed the temple as a World Heritage site on July 7, 2008.

This included fierce fighting on the border at Si Sa Ket and Surin provinces in February and April.

However, military tension has eased since the Pheu Thai Party took power following the July 3 general election.

The chairman of the Joint Boundary Commission (JBC) responsible for land demarcation, will be changed from Asda Jayanama, who was an adviser to then-foreign minister Kasit Piromya, to retired ambassador to India Bundit Sottiplarit, according to Foreign Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul, who is in New York.

Virachai Plasai, the ambassador to the Netherlands and head of the Thai team which opposed Cambodia at the ICJ will not be removed.

But Mr Virachai and director of legal affairs Chatri Attajanant will no longer be advisers to the JBC, the minister said. Ambassador to the Philippines Prasas Prasasvinijchai and ambassador to Israel Nutthawut Potisaro will replace them, he added.

The minister said the changes could lead to quicker negotiations with Cambodia to solve the land dispute.

“If we have not changed [personnel], negotiations to demarcate the land boundary might not be finished, as in the past two years,” Mr Surapong said.

But he said that he had no intention to overhaul staff at the ministry. The reshuffle would be made to replace 19 ambassadors who will retire on Sept 30 and their replacements would be made on a seniority basis, he said.

Opposition leader Abhisit Vejjajiva said the government has the authority to make changes to the JBC’s staff, although it must also keep in mind that its overriding priority is to choose the best course of action in fighting Cambodia at the ICJ over the issues involving land and maritime conflicts.

Mr Abhisit said he wanted Mr Asda to remain as JBC chairman, as he is well-versed in the handling of the issues.

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