Showing 31 - 40 of 40
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.
Thailand revitalising Acmecs scheme
News, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 12/06/2018
» Renewed schemes for the region's three great rivers -- under the Ayeyawady-Chao Phraya-Mekong Economic Cooperation Strategy (Acmecs) -- are making a comeback after some soul-searching amid a plethora of connectivity plans. Bangkok will host the 8th Acmecs summit this Friday and Saturday.
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.
Korean thaw will have Asean impact
News, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 01/05/2018
» It was amazing to watch South Korean President Moon Jae-in and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un make their historic handshake and then hug and share smiles on Friday at Panmunjom, the truce village located in the Demilitarised Zone that separates the two Koreas. From now on, the simmering tension on the Korean Peninsula, which the world has become used to over the last 65 years, may quickly fade away. The two Koreas have pledged to cease hostilities and cooperate in their denuclearisation efforts.
Turkey’s rough road in engaging Asean
Oped, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 20/02/2018
» It was like a blip coming out of nowhere when Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte said last August that he would not mind backing Turkey’s membership in Asean. This pronouncement was the biggest example of hyperbole during his chairmanship. But this is not the case for Turkey. When President Recep Tayyip Erdogan visited Jakarta in 2015, he already had high hopes that his country would sooner or later be joining Asean.
Lessons from Thai votes on Jerusalem
News, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 02/01/2018
» Thailand made a historic decision on 21 Dec to join 127 other United Nations member states in rejecting the US decision to recognise Jerusalem as Israel's capital. In the past, when push came to shove in a major diplomatic decision, Bangkok would normally duck the issue by practising "fence-sitting" to protect its perceived national interests.
Surin was Asean’s de facto foreign minister
Oped, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 08/12/2017
» It was the spring of 2007. The application deadline was quickly approaching for a qualified Thai candidate to serve as the 12th Asean secretary-general.
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.
Neighbourly diplomacy shifts from Laos
News, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 19/09/2017
» The twists and turns of Thailand's diplomacy toward its neighbouring countries have recently undergone a metamorphosis. The military's seizure of power from the elected government in May 2014 allowed civilian decision-makers and security officers to reboot ties with the bordering countries. But not all such attempts have been successful.
Thailand and Vietnam: Stronger together
News, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 15/08/2017
» In Asean, Vietnam is Thailand's only strategic partner. Three points in particular underpin the countries' unique ties.