Showing 1 - 10 of 27
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.
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.
Myanmar's 'my way' vs Asean norms
Oped, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 08/07/2025
» It appeared to be a done deal. During their summit on May 26, Asean leaders agreed to admit Timor-Leste as the 11th member of the regional bloc. Since then, Nay Pyi Taw has raised an unexpected objection, with the junta issuing an official statement that could potentially embarrass Asean and its current chair, Malaysia.
Time to clean up Thailand's borders
Oped, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 18/02/2025
» Thailand's recent decision to cut electricity and other fuel to Myanmar has had far-reaching ramifications along the Thai-Myanmar and Thai-Cambodian borders. Indeed, it will also impact geopolitics in the region and beyond.
Nay Pyi Taw's goals still out of reach
Oped, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 04/02/2025
» As Myanmar's crisis enters its fifth year this week, there is still no light at the end of the tunnel.
Thais must join Global Peace Summit
Oped, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 11/06/2024
» This weekend, Thailand will join 100-plus countries at the Burgenstock Resort in Switzerland for the upcoming Global Peace Summit. Singapore, Malaysia and the Philippines have confirmed their participation. East Timor, which is expected to become a full Asean member in the future, is also participating.
What joining OECD means to Thailand
Oped, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 02/04/2024
» Thailand's bid to become a member of the OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development) could be extremely challenging owing to the ever-changing geopolitical landscape, particularly in the Indo-Pacific region. Since the release of the OECD's Indo-Pacific Strategic Framework last year, the Paris-based intergovernmental organisation has been doubling its efforts to woo more members from the region. Both the region's No.1 and No.2 economies, Indonesia and Thailand, are high on the list.
8 Thai hostages must not be forgotten
Oped, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 02/01/2024
» The singular most important event of 2023 in Thailand was the Thai hostage crisis that began on Oct 7 when Hamas launched its surprise onslaught on Israel from the Gaza Strip. Several thousand Thai workers were caught up in the crisis, and several dozen were taken hostage along with over 240 men, women and children of almost two dozen nationalities. Apart from Israeli citizens, the number of Thais taken prisoner was the highest among foreigners, and at least 39 were confirmed killed. At the end of November and in the weeks that followed, a total of 23 Thais were freed. Today, eight remain in Gaza, and their fate is unknown. In modern Thai history, this is the first time such a huge number of Thai citizens have been abducted.
Finally, Japan shows diplomatic finesse
Oped, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 31/10/2023
» One quick slash by a katana is all that it takes. That was what Japan did by staying out the recent statement of the Group of Seven (G7) on the Israel-Hamas war, which has already resulted in huge cost to human life. Japan has a soft spot when it comes to civilian casualties and the advent of war. The devastating effects of the atomic bombs are still fresh in the collective memories of the Japanese public.
Asean summit forges fresh strategies
Oped, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 05/09/2023
» With its theme "Asean Matters: Epicentrum of economic growth", the Indonesian chair has raised the Asean playing field to an unprecedented level, especially as the bloc has to engage with a new geopolitical and geoeconomic landscape. That helps explain why Indonesian President Joko Widodo or Jokowi has to reiterate that Asean needs an extraordinary tactical strategy to face the current global turmoil when he met on Friday with a group of high-level Asean businessmen and investors.