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Once again Prime Minister Hun Sen of Cambodia has tested the limits of civilised neighbourliness and failed. His rant to the local and international media that he has ordered troops to shoot Thais who cross the border, surely crossed the line of diplomatic language. Any such order from the commander to troops to shoot civilians is both cruel and illegal.

It is understandable that the Khmer premier was angered by the demonstration in Si Sa Ket by fringe elements of the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD). It is neither acceptable nor level-headed to threaten to use deadly force against other people in retaliation.

The latest anti-Thai rant came at a high-profile news conference that was meant to gain wide circulation across his country. And it succeeded, with Cambodian media spreading it. Instead of talking about Cambodia's new tourism initiative, the premier launched irresponsibly into rhetoric that was as inflammatory as it was offensive. And worse, it was even more public and more pointed than the 2003 anti-Thailand tirade that emboldened thousands of so-called Khmer nationalists to trigger murderous and highly destructive riots in Phnom Penh. Mobs shouting Hun Sen slogans torched the Thai embassy, tore down Thai businesses and offices, and attempted to murder Thai diplomats and visitors.

That terrible violence of six years ago was set off by a stupid rumour that a Thai actress had denounced Cambodian ownership of Angkor Wat. Without a pause to try to confirm this ridiculous story, Prime Minister Hun Sen played to the mob and pandered to the rumour-mongers. The result was a night of fires and deadly danger to Thais and Cambodians alike in the capital.

One would think that such an atrocious act would have warned the Cambodian premier of the dangers of going too far with nationalist rhetoric. Today, one wonders if Mr Hun Sen really regrets such mob action.

The Cambodian love of Angkor Wat is as clear as its ownership. No Thai government, no Thai political party or group, no academic department or textbook makes any Thai claim to the iconic temple displayed on the Cambodian flag. Mr Hun Sen has clearly tried to parlay the issue of disputed border land into the tired old claim that Thailand is trying to steal Angkor Wat from Cambodia.

Thailand and Cambodia have property disputes, like virtually all land neighbours in the world. Many places along the border, including the sea border, are claimed by the two countries. Premier Hun Sen, however, has tried to connect totally unrelated dots. The 4.6 square kilometres of disputed land is not the same as the Preah Vihear temple, which is not the same as Angkor Wat.

The government, the foreign ministry, the parliamentary coalition and the loyal opposition of the Thai Parliament all agree: Preah Vihear temple belongs to Cambodia as, of course, does Angkor Wat. There are Thais who disagree with this legal policy, just as there are far too many Cambodians liable to be whipped into another racist, murderous fury when their prime minister speaks violently and irrationally about it.

Mr Hun Sen is threatening to boycott the upcoming Asean summit over this issue, which is almost entirely a figment of his own imagination. The Cambodian leader should be more realistic. He is no longer under the influence of the anti-foreigner, anti-neighbour Pol Pot gang. He should not so clearly and harmfully pander to the misguided and violent "nationalists" of his country, who only aim to harm Thai-Cambodian relations. Instead, he should work a little harder to improve them.

Bangkok Post