Bangkok, Yangon sow the seeds of hate

Bangkok, Yangon sow the seeds of hate

David Sterling, The Nation, Asia News Network, Bangkok

I have never witnessed a turn of events like the present in
which relations between Burma (Myanmar) and Thailand have fallen
to their lowest in decades. As a long time observer of both Burma
and Thailand, I think the fault lies on both sides.

The previous Chuan government never bothered to engage
directly with the Burmese military junta as they felt they were
not adhering to basic democratic principles. Previous Thai
governments (with the exception of Chuan's) have always appeased
the military junta by way of special close relations with this or
that Burmese general.

Thailand made the first blunder when it under-estimated the
rise of Gen. Maung Aye to number two in the junta line up.
Instead of reaching out to Maung Aye, the Thai government focus
was mainly directed at Lt.Gen. Khin Nyunt, the intelligence chief
and number three.

Thailand's foreign policy with Burma has now shifted back to
the old way of appeasement and one-on-one engagement. To erase
their mistake of overlooking Maung Aye, Thaksin invited him for
an official state visit. Maung Aye has repeatedly declined
invitations to visit Thailand. Sources say Maung Aye was snubbed
by a Thai general with whom he wanted to discuss border issues.

Maung Aye's long years as a regional commander in the north-
east enabled him to foster and cultivate relations with various
ethnic groups. This is another oversight on the Thai's part --
whether purely an oversight or intentional is not known.

Maung Aye got red carpet treatment in Thailand and had an
audience with His Majesty the King. It was then reported that
Burma and Thailand were entering a new era of bilateral relations
after the debacle of dissident Burmese students taking over the
Burmese Embassy. Immediately after Maung Aye left Thailand, it
was reported he had given the OK for the Thai army to cross its
border to search for and destroy all of the Wa's drug
manufacturing laboratories.

Within days the Shan State Army (SSA), an ethnic group
fighting against the Burmese regime, had launched a surprise
attack and overrun several Burmese outposts along the border.

The reaction from Rangoon (Yangon) was swift and vengeful. The
Burmese junta claimed the SSA along with regular Thai soldiers
had attacked the Burmese outposts together. The Thai army denied
the accusation. Since then the junta has cursed Thailand for its
support of the SSA.

Why the Burmese anger? First, Maung Aye was given red carpet
treatment and an audience with his Majesty the King and signed a
series of agreements on various issues. Thai newspapers reported
he had given Thailand the "go ahead" to enter Burmese territory
to pursue Wa drug traffickers. Then, the SSA made surprise
lightning attacks and captured several Burmese outposts with or
without the Thai army's complicity.

From their own intelligence findings, it appeared the SSA was
assisted by the Thai army through artillery support and
personnel. Around the same time, the Thai army had employed
thousands of soldiers plus armoured vehicles and artillery for an
exercise which further aroused suspicions. The junta was
outraged. Maung Aye, now regarding his visit as a sham, felt he
was being stabbed in the back by his host.

This was compounded by his feeling that the Thai media or
intelligence officers were trying to sow discord among top junta
generals by saying he was against the Wa and had approved Thai
soldiers entering Burmese territory. Unlike past tensions, the
Burmese are truly enraged. People were told to attend rallies to
denounce both the SSA terrorist band of drug traffickers and
Thailand for supporting them and intruding on Burmese soil.

Furthermore, the Burmese were told to hoist their flag to show
patriotism. The danger here is that Burma has never told its
people to hate Thailand. Burmese history books have never
glorified its past victories over Thailand. Instead of the name
Thailand, Yodaya -- the historical ancient enemy name -- is now
being used by all media in Burma.

Initially, Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra and Gen. Chavalit
Yongchaiyudh remained silent when Burma started firing off
accusations and comments that were deemed insulting to past Thai
monarchs. Their silence wasn't so much because of their personal
or business ties with Burma, but rather the result of shock at
the turn of events. Let's suppose the Thai army did cross into
Burma and both Thaksin and Chavalit found out the truth -- do
they come clean and apologize to Burma or deny it at all costs?

Thaksin and Chavalit had no choice but to deny the junta's
allegations; the junta called the Thai leaders "bare-faced
liars". Even Chavalit, who is supposed to be very close to the
junta, was not spared this time as he was also being called
"insincere and a liar" by the junta.

Now, Thais and Burmese are being told to dislike and hate each
other by their leaders.