MILITARY IS NEVER THE SOLUTION TODAY, NOR TOMORROW

It is unimagineable that Cambodia and Thailand is contemplating of going to war with each other. Personally, it is beyond my wildest imagination that the two peoples with so much traits and similarities, culture and tradition like, would prefer to opt for a more destructive path instead of trying to find a peaceful solution - a political one which would be more humane and buddhist like. The cost of going to war is just too great to even think about it. Plain stupid, another word for it. History has shown that all over the world.

There is no winner in going to war. There are only mass casualties, political as well as economic instabilities that await this kind of comtemplating action. The leaders of both nations have responsibilities to both peoples, Khmers and Thais, their safety and security, economically and politically. All political avenues should be explored to the best ability of both parties. Decision to go to war should never be taken lightly. There are too many innocent lives involved, young and old alike. Any military action should be refrained to the utmost possible.

Each nation has more to loose by playing politics to appease the ultra-nationalist force. Since when the last time Cambodia and Thailand gone to war with each other? Thailand has understood perfectly well the need to stay out of war, any war, in order to be prosperous, economically and politically. That has been the most successful path Thailand has chosen over the last century or so. What good does it bring to Thailand by going to war over Preah Vihear?

Our people are more or less like cousin in the family. I wrote a while back about early education, and the need for Thailand to review its educational materials in order to reflect the modern world, to be less hostile toward its neighbour like Cambodia. Nationalism is usually the cause of warfare, and that remains to be the case all over the world. It would be a tragedy if the two countries ever going to war over this disputed area around Preah Vihear.

They said the children's mind are pure like a white cotton, but it can be stained and corrupted as easily as a drop of an ink. Both peoples, Thais and Khmers, should appreciate the present and the future that are at hands, and it is the responsibility of both governments to open up the avenue for both peoples to travel on safely and harmoniously. It should educate and encourage Khmers as well Thais to respects each other's values, our close tradition and ties, co-inside with our beliefs and practices as buddhists. It is all in the power of the mind, and military is not a solution to the problem of today nor tomorrow. There is another way, and a better way for both peoples, Khmers and Thais. I would encourage both leaders to find a common ground and to move forward to bring the people closer together. There are plenty more to gain from being peaceful, caring and compassion to each other than otherwise. It just makes no sense to fire shots, any shot, at anyone, whether he/she be Khmer or Thai.