Thailand: Border dispute with Cambodia deepens political turmoilーNHK WORLD-JAPAN NEWS
is just over two weeks since Prime Minister Patton Chinowat was suspended over her handling of a border dispute with neighboring Cambodia. As tensions heat up, concerns are mounting over further political unrest and a possible wider impact on the economy. NHK World’s Papanat Nu reports. It’s early July and an NHK clue is visiting the border checkpoint between Thailand and Cambodia. The gate remains closed even during daytime. On May 28, armed forces of the two countries exchanged fire in the disputed border area, killing one Cambodian soldier. With the border still closed most of the time in response to the conflict, trade and travel had essentially come to a grinding hole. This market used to be bustling with vendors and people crossing the border to buy food. But now there are fewer customers and many stores are closed. A trader says he used to sell more than 40 dullions a day, but on this day it was only two. I don’t know what to do for my daily income. I’m not making any money now. This farmer says it’s difficult to harvest his mango steines because workers from Cambodia can’t come. Many of the crops have rotted and have to be thrown away. Everyone is suffering. A leaked phone conversation between Pongan and Cambodian Senate President Hunen deepened the political turmoil. She was suspended after she appeared to criticize a senior Thai military commander and appease Cambodia. In response, conservatives and nationalists who strongly support the army and the monarchy held a massive rally demanding her resignation. Behind the pressure on the prime minister is a longstanding power struggle between the supporters of former prime minister Takin Chinawat, her father, and the conservatives. Activists who called for the rally say the loot of the problem lies with taxing. He’s considered to dominate his daughter’s government. But if his aim is to destroy our country’s system, including the monarchy, then the struggle will never end. In the past, political turmoil has often been followed by coups by the military. And in recent years, the constitutional court has ordered the dissolution of pro-democracy parties and the dismissal of prime ministers. Experts are warning of further chaos. It could return to something like a coup. It might take a different form. I’m not saying it has to involve the military rather using the law or mechanisms in the constitution or loopholes in the system. Attention is focused on whether Pongan will be dismissed as a prime minister at a time when the Thai government is struggling to tackle the border issue with Cambodia. Tabernatia, NHSK, Bangkok.
In Thailand, tensions are heightening over a border dispute with neighboring Cambodia. Now, many people are worried about further political unrest and a possible wider impact on the economy. #thailand #cambodia #politics
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