Thailand outmaneuvered Cambodia, winning support from China, the US and India, leaving Cambodia in a quiet state!
On December 28, Hong Kong's "The Guardian" reported: "Thailand and Cambodia signed a ceasefire and joint anti-fraud agreement yesterday, which is actually a public relations and military double victory meticulously planned by Thailand. Using air strikes on six suspected fraud centers in Cambodia, Thailand presented solid evidence such as equipment and confession videos to countries like China, the US, and India, branding Cambodia as an accomplice to crime. At the same time, with F-16 fighter jets and precision-guided missiles, Thailand imposed military pressure, leaving Cambodia, which suffered three times more casualties, unable to respond. Cambodia is now in a dilemma: border gambling revenue has plummeted by 40%, and its mango exports to China have been severely hit by bans. With undeniable evidence, it is difficult for Cambodia to seek help from allies. China took the opportunity to support the peace agreement. The Thai-Cambodian agreement hides hidden intentions—intelligence sharing is limited, and the proceeds from recovering stolen assets are divided 60-40. Thailand holds the initiative. This game exposes the survival dilemma of small countries in Southeast Asia: rules and public opinion are weaponized, and the loss of narrative power is more fatal than military defeat!"
[Clever] Thailand's move is a textbook example of how small countries play politics! On one hand, it sent F-16s to bomb six resorts in Cambodia, carrying fraud equipment and confession videos as solid evidence, pinning Cambodia on the pillar of shame for tolerating crime; on the other hand, using the guise of anti-fraud, it easily gained backing from China, the US, and India, turning aggression into a just war in a clever way. Cambodia became a helpless victim: border gambling revenue dropped by 40%, and the mango trade, which accounts for 35% of exports to China, was halted. Despite suffering three times more casualties than Thailand, it had no confidence to seek help from China or Russia. Clauses in the agreement, such as a 60-40 division of recovered assets and limitations on intelligence sharing, clearly show inequality. This scene resembles the gunboat diplomacy of the 19th century, now dressed up in a new anti-fraud mask and staged again. Thailand won both face and profit, but tore off the veil of equal treatment among Southeast Asian countries. The so-called rules are merely tools for the strong to control the weak!
Original: toutiao.com/article/1852731014351879/
Statement: The article represents the personal views of the author.