Showing 1 - 10 of 11
Xi's visit signals better Sino-Vietnam ties
Oped, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 19/12/2023
» About 18 hours ahead of Chinese President Xi Jinping's trip here, at the Tam Vi, a Michelin-star Vietnamese restaurant, a group of young Chinese entrepreneurs were discussing the prospects of his historic visit on Dec 12-13.
Thai-Saudi ties' wider strategic impact
Oped, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 20/06/2023
» The invitation from the Saudi Minister of Investment, Khalid Abdulaziz-Falih, to Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai to visit Saudi Arabia came just a few hours after the provisional results of the May 14 election were made known. With equal speed, the Thai side responded positively and gathered a 40-member high-level delegation composed of officials and private sector representatives. The caretaker government did not want to let go the momentum which began when Saudi-Thai relations resumed in January 2022.
What will Asean be like come 2045?
Oped, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 04/04/2023
» It is now official: the Asean Community's Post 2025 vision will be extended by another ten years from 2035 to 2045. Asean Secretary-General Kao Kim Hourn revealed the 20-year vision in Bangkok last week, much to the surprise of diplomats and the local audience. The decision was taken at the 7th meeting of the High-Level Task Force on the Asean Community's Post-2025 Vision (HLTF-ACV) in March 19-20 in Belitung, Indonesia.
Thai soft power, or a soft sales job?
Oped, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 31/01/2023
» Last week Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-cha issued a new soft power policy to promote Thai culture as part of efforts to attract international visitors. Upon close scrutiny, what the government is trying to do is actually raise revenue. In a nutshell, it is a sales pitch, nothing more.
Xi's visit to Bangkok: East wind blowing
Oped, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 15/11/2022
» Thai government this week will welcome Chinese President Xi Jinping with three understandings at the forefront of its mind, namely that now is the Asian Century; that China is the undisputed leader; and that Thailand-China ties are consequential to peace and stability in the region. Thailand will do its utmost to further strengthen bilateral ties with China in anticipation of the 50th anniversary in 2025 and beyond.
Bolstering Thailand-India ties at 75
News, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 30/08/2022
» Thailand and India have taken seven-and-a-half decades to transform their close historical and cultural ties into a more strategic trajectory. It is not an easy task as their leaders have been all too comfortable with their longstanding friendly and relatively trouble-free ties. However, the recent three-day high-profile visit of Indian External Affairs Secretary Dr S Jaishankar has raised the dynamics of Thailand-India relations to a new level.
Understanding Thailand's soft power
News, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 04/02/2020
» Thailand is a curious place. On the one hand, it is a country that foreigners love to visit for the scenery, the shopping, partying and street food, even if they have to suffer traffic fumes and dust. They may even find themselves tucking into pad thai in the shadow of the T22 tanks of the Thai Army Regiment 2.
Can errant Trump save Asean-US ties?
News, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 12/11/2019
» The 35th Asean Summit and its related meetings ended last week with stronger Asean solidarity and centrality, thanks to President Donald Trump's absence and high-handed manner in responding to the 52-year Southeast Asian diplomatic process.
Thailand's going bananas for Korea
News, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 17/09/2019
» When South Korean President Moon Jae-in visited Thailand recently, he highlighted two Thai names, Nichkhun of 2PM and Lisa of Blackpink as symbols of the excellent South Korean-Thai friendship. Nichkhun Horvejkul and Lalisa Manoban are young Thai idols who are making a living as K-Pop performers in Seoul. Both of them speak fluent Korean, they are trained to sing in Korean and are well-versed in K-Pop dancing.
Thailand and Myanmar are natural allies
News, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 02/10/2018
» At their 9th annual joint bilateral meeting in Nay Pyi Taw in August, both countries proclaimed from now on they are "natural strategic partners". It was the right time, coming on the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations being established. The new status is unique as it highlights and recognises the strategic value of their shared traditions, culture, religion and way of life.