Thailand's military commanders as well as their government had succeeded in what they wanted to do regarding the border talk: nothing. They rather show and use their muscle by preparing their war against Cambodia.
The joint exercise between Thai’s Navy and Air Force preparing for “any maritime territorial conflict with Cambodia” using the newly acquired Gripen jet fighters and other sophisticated weapons indicates that Thailand prefers more fighting rather than talking. It's like saying: Show me your muscle, then probably I will talk.
http://www.aviationspectator.com/resources/aircraft-profiles/saab-jas-39-gripen-fighter-aircraft-profile
Meanwhile, General Tea Banh and Mr. Hor Nam Hong were stood up and humiliated by their Thai counterparts and probably went home empty-handed regarding the GBC.
Cambodia however will try to capitalize on “Thailand’s snubbing” that Cambodia always has full intention to solve the conflicts peacefully but it is Thailand that thumbs its nose at the world; hence, Cambodia is a victim of a naked aggression.
It is a lesson for many of us to learn how the big boys like Thailand and others play their games against smaller and weaker nations.
Cambodia will be used as a political pawn by Thai’s politicians until a long-term stability happens in Thailand or until Cambodia can stand on its own feet.
For now Thailand continues to flex its military muscle, and Cambodia has nothing much to show.
Timothy Chhim
April 9, 2011
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From Bangkok Post
The two-day Thai-Cambodian Joint Boundary Commission meeting has ended at the Bogor Palace in West Java with nothing resolved.
"This matter [the border dispute] cannot be solved with one meeting," Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa said, according to the Jakarta Post newspaper.
Mr Marty said he would have informal meetings with his Thai and Cambodian counterparts to discuss the problem, which he said was complex.
Meanwhile, the Royal Thai Navy will conduct an annual naval exercise as part of security preparations for any possible maritime disputes with Cambodia, with newly-acquired Gripen jet fighters taking part.
The navy will launch a joint naval exercise with the Royal Thai Air Force in the Gulf of Thailand near Sattahip in Chon Buri on April 21-22.
A military source said the exercise is part of measures to prepare for any maritime territorial conflict with Cambodia.
On April 21, Supreme Commander Songkitti Jaggabatara and navy chief Kamthorn Phumhiran will stay and spend a night on HTMS Chakri Naruebet to watch the naval exercises.
Gripen jet fighters and Saab 340 aircraft will also take part in fleet escort and air interception operations. This will be the first mission of Gripen jet fighters which the air force has bought from Sweden.
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Navy and Air Force preparing for any maritime territorial conflict with Cambodia using the newly acquired Gripen jet fighters and other sophisticated weapons indicates that Thailand prefers more fighting rather than talking.
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