Showing 1 - 10 of 12
US-Thai Cobra Gold drills wither at 40
News, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 17/08/2021
» The 40th iteration of Cobra Gold (CG), which ended last week, was supposed to be the best year ever for the four-decades-old Thai and US joint military exercises. But it was not to be. Blame it on the Covid-19 pandemic or the menace of smartphones and social media spreading fake news about the true nature of the region's largest multinational military exercise.
US urges Asean to stand up to China
Oped, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 03/08/2021
» US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has made it clear the US would like to see Asean stand up to China without choosing sides. At the same time, the US will engage with China in areas of common interests while is ready to stand up against the Middle Kingdom without flinching if its interests are threatened.
Thai-US relations in the Indo-Pacific era
News, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 16/07/2019
» When US State Secretary Michael Pompeo stops in Bangkok for a three-day visit at the end of this month, he will find good old ally Thailand is ready to tango. Their relations will no longer be, as in the past, based on reaction and counter-reaction to the cycle of coups. In the past five years, Thailand has survived Western-led sanctions. Now with a civilian government in place, the Kingdom's economic and political dynamism will no longer be curtailed by what was perceived as democratic backsliding and increased authoritarianism.
Post-poll policy: Dynamic continuity
News, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 26/03/2019
» Speculation is rife about imminent changes in Thailand's diplomatic direction after five years of military-ruled guidance. Political pundits and campaigners ahead of the polls last week also sent out strong signals that they expect a new cabinet in Government House with new policies. One of the casualties would be Thai-Chinese ties, which have progressed and strengthened without waveringly over the past five years. However, the outcome of Sunday's election indicates that whichever parties form the next civilian government, there will be little effect on the country's foreign relations or the current Asean chair. Indeed, Thailand's foreign policy will become more dynamic with continuity.
Putting hearts and minds in Thai-US ties
News, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 24/07/2018
» The international rescue of 12 boys and their football coach in Chiang Rai earlier this month quickly permeated into the conference room of the Thai-US dialogue in Washington DC last week. The feel-good atmosphere jump-started the much-needed dialogue between the region's oldest allies.
South Korea is wooing Asean and India
News, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 17/07/2018
» For the first time since the end of the 1950-53 Korean War, South Korea, under the helm of President Moon Jae-in, has effectively been embedded in the regional scheme of things --political/security, economic and social/cultural. The country's previous four presidents -- Kim Dae-jung, Roh Moo-hyun, Lee Myung-bak and Park Geun-hye -- tried to do the same but sadly they repeatedly failed. Every time these leaders wanted to focus on Southeast Asia and South Asia, something happened in the Northeast, the Korean Peninsula in particular, that immediately distracted them. They became mesmerised and forgot the region. There was no consistency whatsoever.
Cobra Gold drills depoliticise Thai-US ties
News, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 27/02/2018
» The 37th Cobra Gold annual multilateral military exercise ended last week with one major outcome -- the depoliticising of Thai-US relations which have been held captive since the May 2014 coup.
Cobra Gold 2018: No more cheap talk, just action
News, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 06/02/2018
» The Cobra Gold multilateral military exercise is a barometer of how strong the Thai-US security commitment is despite several hiccups in recent years. Thailand's strategic role and value cannot be underestimated, especially at this pivotal juncture with the fluid security landscape of the region. After nearly a decade of inertia, the Thai and US administrations are gradually fine-tuning their wave-lengths and meeting mutual security needs.
Locating Thailand in the Indo-Pacific region
News, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 30/01/2018
» Bluntly put, there are two reasons that propel Thailand to the front of the Asean queue in endorsing the US-led Indo-Pacific region concept. First of all, Thailand does not want the Indo-Pacific to concentrate on consultations between the US, India, Japan and Australia grouping -- known as the Quadrilateral or Quad. Bangkok perceives it as an emerging broader Indo-Pacific community. Secondly, the region's stability and prosperity will depend more on inclusive security cooperation both on land and at sea.
Trump can do more for Asean allies
News, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 24/01/2018
» When President Donald Trump decided to attend the East Asia Summit (EAS) last November, the Asean chair, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, was elated. However, roughly 56 hours after his arrival and after his participation in a series of meetings in Manila, the chair shuddered as the No.1 guest decided to leave early without attending the grouping's most exclusive leaders-only strategic forum, the 12th EAS.