Showing 1 - 10 of 19
Thai diplomacy amid global turmoil
News, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 13/01/2026
» How do we know which way the wind is drifting? This is a frequently asked question amid the tectonic shifts in international politics. Answers vary. Some say the wind blows from Washington, others from Beijing. Some insist it comes from the market, others from geopolitics. Regardless of the answers, Thailand -- thanks to its nimble diplomacy -- has managed to go with the flow without much difficulty.
A year of shocks, but Thailand endures
News, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 30/12/2025
» The year 2025 is not just your typical annus horribilis. Some may say that an appropriate term to describe the year is "hell on earth," or narok bon din in Thai, when many bad things happen all at once.
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.
Acmecs: The power of working together
Oped, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 03/10/2023
» Amid great geopolitical realignment and unpredictability, existing and new mini-lateral groups throughout the world have been revitalised or created. Their common objective is a simple one -- finding their own niche to augment their bargaining power for national and regional preservation. Mainland Southeast Asia is no exception. To survive in a multipolar world, every nation, big or small, must be on full alert 24/7.
Virtual diplomacy is real in Thailand
Oped, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 11/07/2023
» The past several months have been tumultuous times in Thai diplomacy, with virtual diplomacy constantly challenging real-world diplomacy. Several incidents have occurred involving neighbouring countries, friends and allies. They all started off simply as casual online conversations or Instagram posts, then suddenly, they could quickly have turned toxic and evolved into diplomatic squabbling.
How to survive in a binary world
Oped, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 05/04/2022
» Like it or not, we are today living in a bifurcated world as never seen before. In the past, the so-called divided world was half real and half imagined, with no clearly defined red line. That gave a lot of room for diplomatic manoeuvring to all countries not wanting to be caught in an unfriendly situation. Today, this room is becoming smaller and more toxic.
Lauding RCEP: free trade for (almost) all
News, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 21/12/2021
» When the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) comes into force on Jan 1, its member countries can look back with satisfaction at their accomplishments that required more than hard bargaining and negotiations with all kinds of specific instructions from the bosses. Over time those men and women became a family. When they met, they laughed and cajoled, knowing full well what would happen after each session.
CPTPP procrastination not an option
News, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 29/06/2021
» It must be said, right from the start, that the debate on the merits and demerits of Thailand's joining the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) has been going on for far too long. Despite lengthy debate, there is still no consensus on whether the country should join the world's premier free-trade agreement.
7 secrets of Thai Covid-19 success
News, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 23/06/2020
» When the first coronavirus infection was detected on Jan 13, there were fears that Thailand would be the hardest hit by the pandemic, and that the country might not survive due to the onslaught unleashed by a faceless enemy.
Imagining a post-coronavirus world
Oped, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 31/03/2020
» Prior to the World Health Organization categorising the Covid-19 outbreak as a global pandemic, nobody would have imagined that the most of the world would be in lockdown as it is today, with over one billion people forced to stop doing their daily routines as they are advised to stay at home to avoid contracting and/or spreading the virus. To survive, each affected country, big or small, will have to use whatever skills and resources they have to fight this common enemy.