Bangkok: Associate Professor Dr. Olar Thinbangteaw from Burapha University has identified the 'Hun Sen regime' as the primary cause of the ongoing conflict between Thailand and Cambodia. Dr. Olar emphasizes the need for US President Donald Trump to address the core issues driving this regional instability.
According to Thai News Agency, Dr. Olar, a faculty member in the Faculty of Political Science and Law, asserts that the international community, particularly the United States, should focus on the Hun Sen regime, which he claims is the root of security threats and transnational crime in Southeast Asia. He differentiates the political system from the Cambodian people, highlighting the role of patronage, illegal capital, and scam networks in sustaining political power in Cambodia, which has broader implications for regional and global security.
Dr. Olar argues that if President Trump is genuinely interested in fostering peace, efforts should be directed at dismantling the power structures of such regimes instead of pressuring neighboring countries like Thailand. He points out that Cambodia, under the Hun Sen regime, is not an adversary to Thailand, but a source of international scams and money laundering activities.
He also commented on Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul's response to President Trump, noting that it has drawn attention and surprise from global leaders and the Thai public. Dr. Olar remarked that Anutin's approach was not typical diplomatic practice but reflected political courage and leadership. This straightforward communication style is rare among medium-sized countries, which usually conform to international power dynamics.
Dr. Olar acknowledges that while the language might be considered harsh and could potentially affect international relations, it is essential to have clarity and decisiveness in times of security crises. He emphasizes the role of political leaders in mirroring societal sentiment and supporting the populace when external pressures mount.