Showing 1 - 10 of 10
Thailand reconsiders its foreign policy
News, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 10/02/2026
» Thai foreign policy was elevated to a high priority on the policy platforms of many political parties during Sunday's general election. The stakes have risen enormously due to growing public interest following the conflict with Cambodia.
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.
Asean sticks to peace agenda in Ukraine
Oped, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 21/02/2023
» This week marks the first year of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The biggest war in Europe since World War II will continue as nobody knows when, or if ever, Russia or Ukraine will be defeated. Certainly, the US and Europe, or rather Nato are confident that more military hardware support to Kyiv is the only way to bleed Russia dry. Recent rhetoric from the West at the Munich Security Conference last week has already raised the spectre of a long war, perhaps short of a nuclear war. Obviously, that has the potential to drag other European nations into the conflict, which is already a proxy war. Belarus has allowed Russia to use its territory to wedge war against Ukraine. Even if the war ends -- it is a big if -- the dire repercussions will continue for generations.
Asean and Myanmar: The next moves
Oped, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 07/02/2023
» Last week, the new Asean chair, Indonesia, convened the first two important meetings -- the Asean Coordinating Council and Asean Foreign Ministers' Retreat -- to discuss and follow up on ongoing and emerging issues that have to do with the relevancy of Asean and its centrality.
New pragmatism on the rise in Asean
Oped, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 22/02/2022
» While the Myanmar quagmire will continue to dominate Asean's agenda under Cambodia and future chairs, one must not forget that the current chair must also deal with a myriad of challenges across all sectors of the grouping's ongoing cooperation. The much-awaited foreign ministerial retreat last Thursday has once again shown that Asean remains a closely knit, pragmatic family.
Boosting human rights in Thailand
News, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 19/10/2021
» Thailand's human rights record will be the subject of global scrutiny on Nov 10. The members of the UN Human Rights Council will examine the country's performance during its third universal periodic review (UPR). It will be an extraordinary event for Thailand as it is battling both domestic political turmoil and the coronavirus pandemic, which has allegedly led to numerous unwarranted violations of human rights.
Thailand must take virus fight abroad
News, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 10/03/2020
» As the new virus known as Covid-19 spreads throughout the world, the headlines are focused on China, Europe, the US, Japan and South Korea. Beyond Thailand, Southeast Asia rarely gets a mention, even though our region is struggling to contain the deadly disease, too.
Vietnam's homework before Nha Trang
News, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 14/01/2020
» The latest development in the Middle East and the status of President Donald Trump's invitation for a special summit with Asean leaders in the US will top the agenda of the first foreign ministers' retreat in Nha Trang this week.
US-China rivalry shifts to mainland SEA
News, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 07/08/2018
» The sense of deja vu at last week's annual Asean foreign ministers meeting in Singapore regarding progress on the code of conduct in the South China Sea -- an agreement with China on a single draft for future negotiations -- is an ominous sign that the regional grouping is already at the centre of US-China rivalry.
Pyongyang’s threats remain in South Korea
Oped, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 10/07/2018
» In summertime, Gangnam district of the South Korean capital is the place to go to observe the country’s dynamism and vibrancy. It is colourful and full of youthful energy. However, when you start casual conversations with youngsters here, immediately a different mood prevails.