Showing 31 - 39 of 39
South Korea is wooing Asean and India
News, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 17/07/2018
» For the first time since the end of the 1950-53 Korean War, South Korea, under the helm of President Moon Jae-in, has effectively been embedded in the regional scheme of things --political/security, economic and social/cultural. The country's previous four presidents -- Kim Dae-jung, Roh Moo-hyun, Lee Myung-bak and Park Geun-hye -- tried to do the same but sadly they repeatedly failed. Every time these leaders wanted to focus on Southeast Asia and South Asia, something happened in the Northeast, the Korean Peninsula in particular, that immediately distracted them. They became mesmerised and forgot the region. There was no consistency whatsoever.
Fighting chance for Malaysian opposition
News, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 08/05/2018
» It would be hard these days to say anything about Malaysian politics without the risk of being branded as "fake news". But tomorrow 14,940,624 voters will have the last say, as they are expected to cast ballots at 8,989 polling centres throughout the country. Fake news aside, they will decide who is the real prime minister. After all, the leading contestants are both former and current Malaysian prime ministers, both of whom belonged to the same party, Barisan Nasional (the National Front), which has retained power for the past 61 years.
Australia's new strategy towards Asean
News, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 13/03/2018
» When Australia looks to the north, what does it see? Southeast Asia, of course. But the region is no longer the geographic landmass in its front yard comprised of 10 countries governed by different political systems and cultural values to its own. From next week onward, Southeast Asian countries, each with a unique domestic dynamic, will become the nexus of Australian foreign policy.
Singapore's Asean tests: twists and turns
News, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 13/02/2018
» Judging from the well-crafted statement on the Asean foreign ministers' retreat in the Lion City last week, Singapore as the current chair of the regional grouping has its work cut out for it.
Myanmar goes ringside at China-India bout
News, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 28/11/2017
» 'China will go all out to help Myanmar in time of crisis. India will also help Myanmar, but it does not go all out," was the light-hearted comment made by a seasoned Asean diplomat based in Yangon recently.
Singapore's Asean chair: think new and big
News, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 21/11/2017
» Singapore's chairmanship of Asean started long before the city state's Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong received the baton from Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte last week in Manila. Singapore wants to ensure the external environment under its helm will be conducive to promoting Asean centrality and regional stability as well as prosperity.
Reading between the lines of Prayut's US trip
News, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 10/10/2017
» As far as US policy toward Southeast Asia is concerned, President Donald Trump's ability to change direction was highly visible during Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha's visit to Washington last week. After nine months in power, Mr Trump has effectively normalised US ties with Thailand after three years of them being off the radar. But it needed hard work and a well-timed and executed plan to accomplish.
Thai role key in forging future of Asean
News, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 01/08/2017
» There has been a lot of hullabaloo about Thailand's role in Asean as the group celebrates its 50th anniversary next week. However, really determining the country's status within Asean will take another eight years when Asean Vision 2025 wraps up and will be evaluated. Here are three determinants:
Recalling Thanat as a diplomatic doyen
News, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 20/07/2017
» 'We [Thais] cannot forsake our responsibility and leave it to others to shape our destiny for us. So we are not hawkish, we are not anti-communist, we are just plain and simple people who want to live and to survive as free people and a free nation." This unmistakable articulation of Thai diplomacy made by Thanat Khoman in 1968 is still very much alive and kicking today.