Cambodia 'spurred on by indecision'

Cambodia has seized on Thailand's weakened security posture to roll out an aggressive three-pronged border strategy, putting the Thai defence establishment under growing strain, an international relations expert says.

- PORAMET TANGSATHAPORN

In an interview with the Bangkok Post, Assoc Prof Panitan Wattanayagorn said Thailand's slow and fragmented national security apparatus, and a weak National Security Council, had signalled internal disarray. This perception, he said, has allowed Cambodia to exploit the situation both militarily and politically.

The Cambodian government has three key approaches, he said. The first approach involved symbolic leadership gestures: Cambodian Senate President Hun Sen defended the country’s actions as necessary for sovereignty protection, while Lt Gen Hun Manith, brother of PM Hun Manet, led a high-profile visit to the conflict zone to bolster local morale.

The second involves military mobilisation.