Thaksin backs propaganda war

Published on Jun 28, 2002

Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra came out yesterday to support the military for the first time in its five-week-long row with Burma, saying the Defence Ministry was right to retaliate to a series of insults aimed at the Thai monarchy in the Burmese press.

The military's action - which consisted of a media broadside at Rangoon - was a legitimate response to the insults directed at Thailand's respected monarchy, he said.

"The Burmese government should do something in order to continue our good relations. They [the Burmese] should know the Thai people are angry," he added.

The Supreme Command yesterday summoned Burmese military attache to Thailand Ko Ko Maung to receive an official protest about the derogatory remarks made against the monarchy, the invasion of Burmese and Wa troops, and the shelling of Thai territory, which injured two Thai soldiers.

"We were patient for so long… from now on the Thai military will no longer exercise restraint over the violation of our sovereignty," Deputy Defence Minister Yuthasak Sasiprapha quoted the letter of protest as saying.

On the newspaper attacks, Yuthasak said the military had condemned in the strongest words the articles of Ma Tin Win, who regularly writes commentaries denigrating Thais and their kings.

"We want to see Burma take responsibility for the articles, which have damaged relations between the two countries," he said.

In a meeting, Ko Ko Maung told Maj-General Visal Chantarasunthorn, director of military foreign relations, that the junta had no control over Ma Tin Win and that the Thai media also made verbal attacks against Burma, Yuthasak said.

For the second day yesterday, military-controlled broadcasting outlets aired a programme accusing Burma of creating problems for Thailand.

The military welcomed phone calls from Thai citizens who want to express their feelings and opinions about this conflict with Burma, said Lt-General Pathompong Kesornsuk, assistant to the Army chief of staff.

Relations between Thailand and Burma soured following a border skirmish on May 20 that led to border outposts being closed, official protests and verbal attacks from Rangoon, and now the current retaliation from Thailand.

Kobsak Chutikul, vice chairman of the House foreign affairs committee, said the military had made a timely and appropriate response to the insults from Burma. Thailand needs to lay out the facts for its citizens, Burma and the international community, he said. "Silence is no good for Thailand since it would create doubt and speculation," he said.

Kobsak - a former diplomat - called for unity among Thai agencies in dealing with the situation, dismissing a statement by a Foreign Ministry spokesman the day before which appeared to support the junta while the military was responding to the Burmese propaganda.

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