Nguyen Co Thach in the Views of Thai Media in 1982

Abstract

This article aimed to study the views of Thai media towards Nguyen Co Thach in 1982 using the historical method. It focused on Thai newspapers from seven publishing houses, namely Matuphum, Chaothai, Siamrath, Naewna, Matichon, Siam Rath Weekly and Matichon Weekly, presenting news about Nguyen Co Thach from February 1 – March 29, 1982 (B.E. 2527). The study found that the “Cambodian problem” caused Nguyen Co Thach to visit to various countries in Europe as well as ASEAN countries and Burma in 1982 in order to figure out common solutions to the Cambodia problem. Especially, when Nguyen Co Thach scheduled to travel to Thailand as a guest of the Foreign Minister in late July 1982, it can be seen that many newspapers were interested in reporting the news of him. The views of the newspapers were divided into three periods. The first period was before the official visit to Thailand of Nguyen Co Thach. He was depicted more negatively than positively. He became a villain in Thai history again through the recognition of Thai newspapers. He was perceived as aggressive, intimidating, irresponsible, sly, foolish and deceitful person. The words, including hard child, immoral thug, ill manner and weak were used to describe Nguyen Co Thach by Thai newspapers. The second period was during the visit to Thailand as a guest of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on July 28-30, 1982. The image of Nguyen Co Thach was illustrated by Thai newspapers in two ways: the image as the villain such as having dirty tongue, being a liar, selfish–aggressive–having ill manner, and being undisciplined. On the contrary, Thai newspapers gave him a good image, such as being friendly and not being arrogant. The third period was after he returned to Vietnam. Thai newspapers negatively expressed their views through Nguyen Co Thach. The image of the villain was given to him again. This was the end of his visit to Thailand in 1982. The expressions of Thai newspapers on Nguyen Co Thach were based on the context at that time.