Showing 1 - 10 of 37
Better Canada-China ties boost Asean
Oped, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 20/01/2026
» Canada's decision to reset relations with China is extraordinary, coming at a critical time for both countries. It reflects changes in the Western Hemisphere that have led Canada to realise that boosting ties with China is a necessity. Furthermore, it will have far-reaching implications for their future bilateral relations and beyond. It is interesting to note that it took US President Donald Trump's intimidation -- both on trade and annexation -- to push straightforward Canada towards the East.
Border conflict tests big powers' resolve
News, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 23/12/2025
» Few would have imagined that the current Thailand-Cambodia conflict could generate such deep strategic anxiety, if not outright uncertainty, across Southeast Asia and beyond. From a Thai perspective, the tensions have revealed something far more consequential than just another bilateral border dispute. It is no longer a tit-for-tat affair.
Trump returns to Asean with a bang
Oped, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 28/10/2025
» The Asean chair, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, said it all. Acknowledging US President Donald Trump's presence during the signing ceremony on Thailand-Cambodia relations on Sunday, he stated: "We, of course, admire your tenacity and courage because the world needs leaders who promote peace strongly."
Rethinking Asean's Palestine strategy
Oped, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 07/10/2025
» Has the Asean chair upped the ante on the bloc's strategy regarding Palestine?
Thailand's contributions to UN at 80
Oped, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 23/09/2025
» The United Nations turns 80 years old this year. Thailand is a strong supporter of the UN's agenda and its multilateral efforts. It has never run against the UN decisions.
Asean's balancing act gains momentum
Oped, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 12/08/2025
» In the middle of the Covid-19 crisis, a tentative idea was raised at the Chongqing virtual meeting between Asean-China foreign ministers in June 2021, for Asean Plus Two. The two referred to the US and China. The bloc's leaders were quite worried that US-China rivalry, especially during the pandemic, would result in catastrophic outcomes for the regional economy and its integration.
Anticipating Malaysia's Asean chair
Oped, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 29/10/2024
» Among Asean watchers, it has become a pattern that a significant milestone follows whenever Malaysia takes on the chairmanship. In 2005, Malaysia helped establish the East Asia Summit (EAS), and in 2015, the Asean Community Vision 2025 was launched. Many policymakers and scholars agree that the next chairmanship is perfectly timed for Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, one of the region's most experienced leaders.
Solving the Myanmar migrant surge
Oped, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 17/09/2024
» With the civil conflict in Myanmar showing no signs of abating soon, Thailand faces formidable challenges in irregular migration from the country. Without adequate and sustainable solutions, Thailand's overall development, including its economy, society, and security, will be seriously impacted.
Humble Asean advice for Madame Pae
Oped, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 10/09/2024
» Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, aka Madame Pae, has a unique opportunity to demonstrate her leadership to Asean colleagues and dialogue partners in Vientiane, Laos, from Oct 9-11. Her inaugural international outings with 21 different Asean-related summits will define her premiership — or the lack of it. It is a herculean task.
The rise and fall of Srettha Thavisin
Oped, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 20/08/2024
» While leaders come and go, they leave behind a legacy that can be mixed, varying from glory to ignominy. Only a few leave nothing much to remember. As for Thailand's 30th prime minister, Srettha Thavisin, it was cursory at best. Overall, it's a good case study on how pomposity and self-adulation affect leadership.