Nguyen Co Thach in the Views of Thai Media in 1980

Abstract

This project used the historical research method and focused on Thai newspapers from nine publishing houses, namely Matichon, Thairath, Siam Rath, Daily Time, Siang Puangchon, Star Siam, Banmuang, Daily Mirror and Daily News, which presented news about Nguyen Co Thach from March to July 1980. It found while he was the Foreign Minister of Vietnam during the beginning of the Cambodian issue, he visited Thailand three times. Each time the Thai media presented his news, reflecting how important he was to Thailand. The first presentation of him in Thai media was during the first phase of Vietnam’s invasion of Cambodia. Nguyen Co Thach was presented by the Thai media as an important person. It created neither a positive nor negative image. The second period was Nguyen Co Thach’s official visit on May 17-20. The images presented were both positive and negative depending on the situation, but mostly positive. For example, Nguyen Co Thach was referred to as the “Ambassador of Peace of Hanoi”, “the most compassionate ambassador”, “a fun person”, and “a gentleman.” The third period, at the end of June, was during the fighting between Vietnamese and Thai soldiers at Ban Non Mak Mun, when Nguyen Co Thach visited Thailand briefly before continuing his next trip. However, he did not express any responsibility for the fighting at Ban Non Mak Mun in his interviews, which resulted in negative attitudes of the Thai media towards him. Nguyen Co Thach was presented as a villain in Thai history for the first time.