Showing 1 - 10 of 129
Thailand's responses to Board of Peace
Oped, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 27/01/2026
» US President Donald Trump's invitation to Thailand to join the Board of Peace (BOP) has elicited three distinct responses. The first two are succinct and clear in their rationale. The third, however, is more nuanced -- and notable for its ambivalence.
Safeguarding peace after border conflict
News, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 06/01/2026
» 2026 began with good news: Thai–Cambodian ties showed signs of improvement following the release of 18 Cambodian soldiers on the final day of 2025. The fighting has stopped, but the wounds have left deep scars that are highly visible and difficult to heal. Worse, public trust across the border remains low, while anguished emotions remain high.
Thailand's delicate stance with Israel
Oped, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 09/12/2025
» Now that the last Thai hostage's identity has been confirmed, the time has come for Thailand to reassess its ties with Israel.
Thailand–Japan ties at a crossroads
News, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 18/11/2025
» For the past four decades, Thailand-Japan ties have been smooth as silk, reflecting the Japanese concept of ishin denshin, an idiom that describes communication without words. That idiom reflects a very good relationship, a deep mutual understanding between the two parties.
Sino-Thai family now new era partners
Oped, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 11/11/2025
» The long-awaited trip to China by His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn Phra Vajiraklaochaoyuhua and Her Majesty Queen Suthida Bajrasudhabimalalakshana is now official, with the state visit scheduled from Thursday to Monday. The historic visit will be the first by a reigning Thai monarch. Both countries, which established diplomatic ties in 1975, are also commemorating the golden jubilee of their friendship.
Cambodia's bluster fails at UN event
Oped, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 30/09/2025
» At the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), Thailand and Cambodia verbally clashed again over their border dispute. What stood out was not just the usual complaints, but the gap between quiet promises made behind closed doors and loud posturing in public.
Challenging Asean digital sovereignty
Oped, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 16/09/2025
» Members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) are busy finalising a draft of a Digital Economic Framework Agreement (Defa) -- this digital framework is hoped to boost regional bloc intra-trade, attract foreign investment, and transform the grouping into a global digital hub. As the current chair, Malaysia is eager to see the world's first such agreement concluded under its leadership.
Paetongtarn and the price of weak govt
Oped, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 02/09/2025
» The Constitutional Court's dismissal of Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra and her cabinet last Friday has plunged Thailand into a political poly-crisis.
Time for this unnecessary war to end
News, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 29/07/2025
» It was a war everyone saw coming. After weeks of provocations and inflammatory rhetoric across the Thai–Cambodian border since May 28, the failure to de-escalate tensions finally erupted into deadly border skirmishes. Despite diplomatic efforts, no fruitful progress was made. As diplomacy faltered, ultra-nationalism made inroads, and rhetoric gave way to border clashes beginning last Thursday.
Recalibrating Thai-US ties (once again)
Oped, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 22/07/2025
» It is about time for Thailand to discard the two-century-old euphemism about enduring Thai-US ties and be brutally realistic. It is about time for a blunt question -- what can Thailand offer to reduce its soaring trade surplus of US$43 billion with the US? If Thai negotiators don't come up with any interesting offers, then the tariff for exported goods from Thailand to the US will be 36% across the board after Aug 1.