A regrettable reaction

Editorial. The Straits Times, January 18, 2007



THAILAND'S interim government is plainly distressed and annoyed, by turns, over the deposed leader Thaksin Shinawatra taking potshots at it from the comfort of foreign hospitality.

It is this politician's wont, though it cannot be said to help his personal fate. Most of all, it is not being considerate to his hosts.

But it is a stretch for the Thai government to draw a link between Mr Thaksin's criticism of the military-installed government, made in interviews he gave here to foreign media, and the normal courtesies Singapore extended an Asean ex-leader when Mr Thaksin made a private visit here over the weekend.

In its response Bangkok scrapped a scheduled visit by Foreign Minister George Yeo and suspended an exchange programme for civil servants.

Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont reportedly told Thai media yesterday the actions were 'appropriate'.

We do not think Gen Surayud was implying any sort of connivance or Singapore committing an act calculated to offend. We do think the reaction will strike fair-minded Singaporeans as petulant and most puzzling. There was no fuss made over his trips to China and Indonesia.

There need be no hand-wringing over the little bump, though. A relationship as enduring as this one should be able to withstand the occasional buffeting. But it should benefit both sides to have certain immutables made clear.

The Government did not breach diplomatic protocol in receiving Mr Thaksin. There is not even a need to emphasise sovereign rights, which almost always sounds defensive.

It had notified Bangkok ahead of the visit; it would be unreasonable to refuse Mr Thaksin entry even had Bangkok the audacity to request it. He is not a fugitive from justice; he is free to travel to any country which would grant him entry, now that his diplomatic passport is revoked.

The hosting by Deputy Prime Minister S. Jayakumar, which caused the Thais much pain, was private - a social visit with a friend. It is possible events might not have reached such a regrettable turn if some less senior minister also known to Mr Thaksin had met him. But who can tell what Bangkok's ruling generals make of shades of nuance?

The interim government has unfinished business with Mr Thaksin over several issues of governance and personal conduct, including the Shin Corp sale. This happens to involve Singapore, though not its government. These matters can over time be worked out through statutory processes, possibly even resolved to every party's satisfaction.

They should never be permitted to contaminate a relationship that is built for mutual benefit