Showing 1 - 10 of 30
The Chinese factor in Modi's Moscow mission
News, Published on 11/07/2024
» Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's first visit to Russia in five years underscores the strategic importance India attaches to its relationship with Moscow. Indian leaders view that relationship as essential to a balanced foreign policy and to provide strategic leverage against China.
PM takes page from Thaksin's playbook
News, Chairith Yonpiam, Published on 06/05/2024
» The cabinet reshuffle may trigger speculation about cracks in the Pheu Thai Party, owing to the departure of prominent figures like Public Health Minister Cholnan Srikaew and Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Parnpree Bahiddha-Nukara. The shift indicates that ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra is taking the reins of the party.
Parnpree to diplomats: 'Don't give up'
Oped, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 28/11/2023
» 'Do not take no for an answer" could be the new hashtag for all Thai diplomats from now on. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Parnpree Bahidha-Nukara instructed his lieutenants not to give up or allow themselves to be turned down too easily when they are pursuing a "proactive economic policy".
Cohesion over possible invasion
News, Published on 28/10/2022
» Chinese President Xi Jinping's new generals may have been selected for their political loyalty to him, but those ties could serve at least one vital military purpose in any Taiwan invasion plan: ensuring cohesion and decisiveness.
Thais split over Russia-Ukraine conflict
Oped, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 15/03/2022
» The Russia-Ukraine war has managed to divide the Thai public with three different outlooks on the crisis -- strong condemnation, non-partisan, or support for the UN charter. For the first time since the Cambodian conflict four decades ago, Russian military action has caused divisive debates among Thai intellectuals, diplomats, and media personalities about the country's position on the situation.
Russia's gamble in post-coup Myanmar
Oped, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 30/03/2021
» Moscow is becoming the most prominent supporter of the military junta in Nay Pyi Taw. While the international community strongly condemned the junta's two months of atrocities against peaceful protestors, last week Russia was bold to say that it wanted to increase military cooperation with Myanmar.
Re-energising Thai-US relations
News, Published on 02/06/2020
» In the 12 weeks since Michael George DeSombre took up the post of US ambassador to Thailand, he has penned three articles and conducted several rounds of interviews, praising Thailand's extraordinary roles in public health, the Mekong sub-region and global and regional supply chains. It has been refreshing to see long-standing bilateral ties revived with good vibes. His public views, expressed both in Thai and English in the midst of the Covid-19 outbreak, have been in stark contrast to previous ambassadors who were cautious but held critical and stereotypical views that strictly followed the cast-iron narratives of the US State Department -- Thailand is undemocratic, has no free press, is pro-China and is an unreliable ally.
Park act needs public input
Oped, Editorial, Published on 15/05/2020
» As a matter of principle, for any law or regulation with adverse effects on people, there must be a process to incorporate public opinion, especially those of stakeholders.
Vietnam plays role of reluctant Asian middle power
News, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 11/06/2019
» In private discussions with senior Vietnamese foreign ministry officials, one could easily get the feeling that the socialist republic is a reluctant rising middle power in Asia. In their view, Vietnam is doing well in terms of regional and international profile, with its uninterrupted political stability and expanding economic growth. The latest report by the Asia Development Bank that its GDP growth will be around 6.8% this year is good testimony to its success.
We should let China spy on us
News, David Fickling, Published on 22/04/2019
» Even as the US and China seem headed toward a truce on trade, their rivalry is heating up in other areas.