The Complexities of Thailand’s Foreign Policy
By Niticarun Mingruchiralai
Amidst our travels between Guilin, Changsha, and Shantou, my wife and I diligently observed the restaurant business, keeping a watchful eye on its everyday operations. It was during this time that we unexpectedly engaged in a conversation with a Thai businessman in China, known for his staunch pro-China sentiments. Expressing his concerns, he divulged his apprehension about Thailand’s foreign policy and the potential consequences if there were to be a shift in allegiance towards the United States and its allies, prompting them to block China.
The countries that have already announced their alignment with the US include Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Australia, and the Philippines, with India also entering into discussions on defense cooperation during Prime Minister Modi’s meeting with President Biden on June 22, 2023. Additionally, tensions between China and Vietnam remain high due to conflicts in the South China Sea.
China’s strategic access to the South Seas necessitates traversing through Burma, Thailand, Laos, and Cambodia – the four countries of interest. Thailand, in particular, garners significant attention due to its international economic and political standing, which China views as steadfast and reliable. Consequently, in recent years, China has allowed Thai businessmen and products to establish a foothold within its market.
The aforementioned Thai businessman holds a belief that the United States desires Thailand to revive their close relationship, reminiscent of the Vietnam War era. Consequently, he advocates for Thailand to become a “great friendly reserve from China,” actively endorsing politicians who would enact policies aligned with a blockade against China, thereby reinforcing their alliance with the United States.
When asked about my opinion on Thailand’s foreign policy, I advocated for a stance of political neutrality. It is crucial for Thailand to align itself carefully, recognizing that our interests exist on both sides: the United States and China. Inclining too heavily towards one faction could precipitate hardships for our nation. This Thai businessman highlighted that joining the “great miter siege” would lead to a detrimental outcome, illustrated by the absence of Thai durian in the Chinese market. This consequence would negatively impact durian farmers, causing them to lose billions of baht annually, without even considering other potential trade barriers.
Striking a well-balanced policy with neighboring countries becomes paramount. We must navigate the delicate line between global opposition to the Burmese government and our country’s border proximity to Burma. Countries without direct borders to Burma elude the repercussions that we face. Thus, we must remain composed and seek diplomatic solutions while avoiding strained relations with our neighbors, including Burma.
Looking ahead, Cambodia’s parliamentary elections are set to take place on Sunday, July 23, 2023. Prime Minister Hun Sen, known for seeking Thai support during previous campaigns, is embarking on a quest to secure votes once more. However, he has resorted to a history-tinged campaign strategy by recollecting past grievances, such as the Thai government’s alleged cooperation with the United States in conducting air raids on Laos and Cambodia, resulting in countless casualties.
Upon learning that the Thai parliament did not elect Khun Phitha Lim Charoenrat as Prime Minister, Hun Sen took to Twitter on Thursday, July 13, 2023, expressing his disdain for those who oppose him. He referred to them as traitors hoping to exploit Thailand’s territory for campaigns against the Cambodian government, with the hopes of their resistance evaporating like salt dissolved in water.
As a concerned citizen, my utmost desire is to witness a peaceful Thailand. I ardently hope that Thailand avoids entanglements with China, Burma, Laos, or even Cambodia. Similarly, I do not wish to witness a recurrence of border conflicts often prompted by the involvement of the United States as experienced in the past.
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During this time my wife and I traveled between Guilin, Changsha and Shantou, still watching the restaurant business every day. Get a chance to talk to customers especially Thai customers A Thai businessman in China who is very pro-Chinese spoke to me. He said he was worried about Thailand’s foreign policy. If there is a change in polarity and the new government joins the US and its allies to block China.
Networks currently announced include Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Australia and the Philippines. (After the change of leadership to Mr. Marcos on June 30, 2022.) As for India, Prime Minister Modi met with President Biden on June 22, 2023. One of the topics of the US-India talks is defense cooperation. The relationship between China and Vietnam is not very good. of conflict in the South China Sea
China’s route to the south seas must pass through Burma, Thailand, Laos and Cambodia, the four countries mentioned. Thailand stands out and has a level of international economic and political standing that China considers a reliable friend. In recent years China therefore allows Thai businessmen and Thai products to spread in China to a reasonable extent.
This customer believes so The United States wanted Thailand to have a close relationship with the United States as it was during the Vietnam War. so fully invest resources to make Thailand come ‘Great friendly reserve from China’ supporting politicians to adopt ‘China’s great friend blockade’ policies to practice in a concrete way.
He asked What is Thailand’s foreign policy in my opinion? I answered that Thailand should have a policy of political neutrality between countries. Because our interests exist on the side of the United States and China. If we are clearly leaning towards one group The country will face hardship. This Thai businessman added that If Thailand joins the ‘Great Miter Siege China’ will not have a single Thai durian that will be sold in China. This story will affect the brothers and sisters of a durian farmer. Money will disappear from farmers’ pockets no less than 2-3 billion baht per year. This does not include other trade barriers.
Policies with neighboring countries are very important. We must strike a balance between a world that is fiercely opposed to the Burmese government and our country that borders Burma. But those countries that oppose Burma have no borders with Burma. so it will not be affected like us So, we must remain calm and work together to find solutions that are not damaged globally and without problems with our neighbors like Burma.
Cambodia’s parliamentary elections will be held on Sunday, July 23, 2023. Prime Minister Hun Zen began looking for Thai stories to campaign for votes as he had done every time. History of pork dung and dried dog dung from long ago He raised his censure against Thailand in the close election period. Hun Sen knew that many Cambodians did not have a relationship with Thailand. Anyone who satisfies the people of Thailand and Thai people will choose that person. Some Cambodians still have the impression that in the past the Thai government asked the United States to build airfields in several provinces to bomb Laos and Cambodia. until people disappear Hundreds of thousands of people died.
As soon as I learned that the Thai parliament had not voted for Khun Phitha Lim Charoenrat as Prime Minister Hun Sen also posted on Twitter on Thursday July 13, 2023, talking about Cambodians who oppose him, “…he these traitors have always hoped that When Pitha was the prime minister of Thailand, they would use the territory of Thailand to campaign against the Cambodian government. By now the hopes of the brutal resistance have disappeared. like salt dissolved in water.”
I want to see a peaceful country of Thailand I don’t want Thailand to have an affair with China, Burma, Laos or even Cambodia. I don’t want the US to drag us into border wars like in the past.
Niticarun Mingruchiralai
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