Thais and Khmers share the blame

The controversy surrounding log imports from Cambodia is a case of the pot calling the kettle black. It has both domestic and international dimensions.

For more than two decades, Thai loggers have cut timber and transported it into Thailand without any trouble. The Khmer Rouge has controlled most of the country's dense border jungle areas during this time.

When the present Cambodian government was established in 1993, it was clear that Phnom Penh would be a major factor for Thai loggers to deal with. For the Thais, dealing with the Khmer Rouge was easier than dealing with the Cambodian government, which has too many leaders saying too many different things.

Cambodia has to be held responsible as well for the overall scheme of things. Phnom Penh is eager to prove that it has taken action to reduce the rate of deforestation in the country to win back loans from the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

The IMF has already denied the country US$20 million (500 million baht) in loans because of the central government's failure to protect its forests. It was an open secret that revenue from the logging business seldom goes to the country's treasury.

Be that as it may, the relationship between the two countries will become even more complicated in years to come if the on- going domestic power plays in Thailand continue to focus on the Thai-Cambodian log trade.

Thai politicians, especially those from provinces adjacent to Cambodia, know full well the dark secret they carry because they have been part and parcel of the same business community.

-- The Nation, Bangkok