Published: 4/09/2010
via Khmer Nz
Made of the right diplomatic stuff
Deputy Commerce Minister Alongkorn Ponlaboot has finally emerged from the shadows and is eager to show what he is made of.
Mr Alongkorn recently paid an official visit to Cambodia, the first cabinet minister to have done so since bilateral ties were soured by the diplomatic spat over the Preah Vihear temple.
He apparently was determined to turn the visit into an opportunity to showcase his vision as befits a deputy commerce minister.
Cambodia was added to a list of neighbouring countries he has called upon to boost trans-border trade. His visit to Burma was thought to have helped defuse the simmering row between border authorities that is blamed for the temporary suspension of commerce in the bustling Mae Sot-Myawaddy area.
With Cambodia, Mr Alongkorn envisions a revival of a special economic zone project in Poipet opposite Aranyapathet. In 2004, more than 2,500 rai of land was designated for the zone, but the political will to push the project through has been lacking.
After touring the site, however, Mr Alongkorn felt that an area in Ban Rai village of Aranyaprathet could be more suitable for development into an economic boom town.
From the border checkpoint, the deputy commerce minister travelled on to Phnom Penh for a meeting with media representatives from Thailand and Cambodia.
At the ''Minister Meets the Press'' meeting organised by the Asean reporters' federation, Mr Alongkorn lost no time in putting his exceptional verbal talents to good use.
Before dignitaries, including Cambodia's Deputy Prime Minister Nhek Bunchay, Information Minister Khieu Kanharith and Deputy Commerce Minister Kim Sitan, Mr Alongkorn won over his Cambodian hosts with his humility.
He told them he had stayed up late on his first night in Cambodia because he was practising hard to sign his name in Khmer. ''And now I've got the hang of it,'' he said.
He then proceeded to sign his name on a piece of paper, drawing visible admiration from those assembled.
Mr Alongkorn then went for the kill. Towards the end of his speech, he said: ''We may not be able to correct history, but we can build a better future together.'' The statement was met with a thunderous round of applause.
He insisted that the troubled friendship between the two countries be smoothened out. ''It's like pebbles in our shoes. We need to remove them so we can walk with ease,'' he said.
The persistent conflict was holding back progress for both countries. Tighter economic cooperation was the way forward.
Grabbing a bite of khanom tarn (small cakes made from tarn palm), the deputy minister commented that the Cambodian version of the sweet has a superior taste even to the khanom tarn produced in his native Phetchaburi, dubbed Thailand's capital of traditional sweets.
He compared the wholesome khanom tarn of Cambodia to that country's richness in resources and economic potential.
Mr Alongkorn's visit was given extensive coverage by the local media. The success of the visit has bolstered his reputation as a minister who steals the show.
Sweet talker sugars relations
PM's Office Minister Ong-art Klampaibul's recent visit to Cambodia was well timed as the rocky relations with Thailand's neighbour have been showing signs of improvement.
His trip followed hot on the heels of an official visit to Phnom Penh last week by Deputy Commerce Minister Alongkorn Ponlaboot. Mr Alongkorn's mission was to boost economic cooperation with Cambodia.
Ong-art: Good listener, humble manner
Both countries have reinstated their ambassadors to the respective capitals after ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra resigned from his post as economic adviser to the Cambodian prime minister, a position that had helped keep bilateral ties frosty.
Now that diplomatic ties are on the road to becoming normalised, both countries are putting their best foot forward in restoring relations.
Mr Ong-art, a seasoned politician and also former secretary to former foreign minister Surin Pitsuwan, is fully aware of the cautious diplomatic approach he must take with Phnom Penh.
He must work towards confidence-building so discussions can take place on sensitive topics, such as the long-standing dispute involving the Preah Vihear temple.
A good listener with a humble manner, Mr Ong-art has worked well in exercising his diplomatic leverage over the temple dispute and Cambodia's warm reception of Thaksin.
Mr Ong-art's reconciliatory tone in talks with Cambodia's veteran Information Minister Khieu Kanharith created a positive atmosphere at the meeting. The two agreed that improving communications between the two countries would benefit the citizens of both countries.
Both are former journalists, which might have helped to facilitate talks.
Mr Kanharith emphasised the need for reporters from both nations to maintain professionalism and avoid inciting people in their bilateral conflict.
The ministers were looking forward to the establishment of an information exchange system.
Concerts might also be held as a cultural exchange measure between the countries.
Mr Ong-art also plans to organise a ''Visit Thailand'' project, an orientation programme for Cambodian journalists to lift their understanding of this country.
Mr Ong-art was even granted an unexpected courtesy call on Prime Minister Hun Sen.
Departing totally from his usually unflattering tone when speaking about Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, Hun Sen conveyed his praise for Mr Abhisit through Mr Ong-art.
He said Mr Abhisit is a well educated and smart young leader who is very experienced in many areas.
Sweet talk aside, it remains to be seen when the prickly issue of the Preah Vihear temple will flare up again.
Playing more than just footie
Despite his claim that he is fully occupied with Buri Ram PEA football club, Newin Chidchob remains a political play-maker with a clear mission.
His Bhumjaithai faithful have been told repeatedly that the party is on a mission and that is to keep ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra's clout and red shirt movement at bay and to protect the monarchy.
And it is widely known that Mr Newin, now the dedicated chairman of Thunder Castle (the football team's nickname), is a man of his word.
Ekkapab Ponsue, a former MP from Roi Et with the Puea Pandin Party who is barred from politics, is said to be so impressed by Mr Newin that he has agreed to have his wife, Ratchanee, join the Bhumjaithai Party.
Mr Newin is aware that MPs from Puea Thai and other parties have approached him partly because they each want a piece of the national budget pie for their constituencies.
The Bhumjaithai de facto leader may be serving a political ban but, as political pundits agree, his influence in the government is undeniable.
Mr Newin also knows that as long as the general election date is not set, the vote of every single MP counts and the Democrat-led administration needs all the support it can get.
''While the House of Representatives is not dissolved, the support of MPs remains vital.
''And even if the Democrats do get dissolved, don't even think that the Puea Thai Party can form a government. Mr Suthep and I have made arrangements,'' Mr Newin was quoted as saying by a political source when he talked about the warm welcome he has extended to MPs from all camps.
According to Mr Newin, vote management in the House of Representatives is as important to the government as the military and the police force.
He, Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban and Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva have reportedly discussed security concerns and agreed that handling the red shirt movement requires people who are determined to deal with the problems.
It is reported that Mr Newin ''requested'' the appointment of Pol Maj Gen Sompong Khongpetsak, currently deputy chief of Police Region 6, as chief of Police Region 4, which oversees the northeastern provinces of Udon Thani and Khon Kaen, the red shirts' main strongholds.
The police reshuffle also includes the appointments of Pol Maj Gen Chaiya Siriamphankul as chief of Police Region 5 overseeing the northern region, and of Pol Maj Gen Sriwara Rangsipramanakul as chief of Police Region 1, which oversees the central provinces.
Mr Newin believes that if the regional police chiefs do their jobs efficiently, they can deter red shirt-related incidents and prevent a repeat of the political violence which took place in May this year.
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