POST BAG Pertinent points for Cambodia

Published: 16/10/2009 at 12:00 AM
Newspaper section: News
Source: bangkokpost.com

With reference to Cambodian Ambassador You Ay's letter ("From Cambodia with clarity," Post bag, Oct 13), the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs wishes to state for the record a couple of pertinent points as follows:

1. The issue of the temple of Phra Viharn is a complicated one with a history going back a long time. The situation, however, worsened following its inscription on the World Heritage List in 2008, despite unresolved negotiations on the encroachment of the land boundary in the area adjacent to the temple.

Thailand did not initiate the problem, nor did it try to exploit extreme nationalist sentiment in order to make political gains.

2. As for the allegation that Thai troops caused the destruction of the Cambodian market and the Cambodian side demanded compensation for the affected people, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has already officially informed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Cambodia by a diplomatic note dated Aug 10, 2009, clarifying that the said incidents were triggered by Cambodian soldiers' assault on Thai troops, forcing the latter to take defensive action and leading to the exchange of fire between the soldiers of both sides. The Ministry wishes to reiterate that the whole incident took place at the market and Cambodian community in the area adjacent to the temple of Phra Viharn, which are situated within the territory of Thailand.

I hope this letter will help promote a better understanding of this delicate issue.

THANI THONGPHAKDI

Deputy Director-General, Department of Information,
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
-----
Bravo, women scientists

Re: ''Women scientists set Nobel Prize record,'' Bangkok Post, Oct 14. It comes as no surprise to me as to the number of women scientists who won the Nobel Prize this year. It seems science is where we see women dominating the men. This is certainly true in Thailand.

Take Biotec for instance, where the number of women scientists is at a ratio of 4:1. In addition, the director of Biotec has, for the past nine years, been a woman.

So, I tip my hat to all the women scientists in the world. Bravo!

RAMJITTI INDARAPRASIRT
-----
A unique and precious advertisement on TV

Every time I watch the truly inspired and inspiring Thai Life Insurance public service advert, Que Sera Sera, I get a lump of respectful pride in my throat. The gorgeous, smiling children from Srisangwan School, singing their hearts out, are the finest goodwill ambassadors imaginable.
Their unforgettable, very special message of ''que sera sera'' resonates with joyous rainbows day after day, complementing the Thai mai pen rai attitude about the future not being ours to see: just let whatever happens, happen.

The Doris Day hit song won the 1956 Oscar for Best Song, and the Phenomena Film production directed by Thanonchai Sornsrivichai deserves to be awarded as Best Commercial of 2552 (2009).

Congratulations and thanks to everyone involved.

DR CHANCHAI PRASERTSON
-----
CONTACT: BANGKOK POST BUILDING, 136 NA RANONG ROAD, KLONG TOEY, BANGKOK 10110
Fax: 02 2403666, email: postbag@bangkokpost.co.th
All letter writers must provide full name and address.
All published correspondence is subject to editing at our discretion.