• OPINION

  Thailand gets ready to take Asean chair

  News, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 13/11/2018

  » A decade after living through the devastating experience of the 2009 Asean summit, the kingdom will have another chance to regain its regional leadership and reputation. Singapore will pass the baton to Thailand on Nov 15 as the Asean chair. Although the official role will kick off in January, Bangkok will get the ball rolling immediately.

• OPINION

  Deepening of Thai-US economic links

  Oped, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 22/08/2023

  » During the last three months of the caretaker government, there have been unexpected and extraordinary movements in Thailand-US relations, both here and in Washington. Several key American lawmakers have visited Bangkok and pledged further US support for stronger economic and security relations with Thailand. In Washington, a group of bipartisan senators has set up the "US-Thai Alliance Caucus" in Congress.

• OPINION

  Asean: Where US, China can reconcile?

  Oped, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 14/06/2022

  » Southeast Asia is unenviably the region to which the major powers, be they the US, China, the European Union, India, Russia, Australia or Japan, are according to the highest priority at this juncture. All of these countries are on the same page as far as Asean is concerned. An Asean that is stable, peaceful, and focused on regional economic integration would be beneficial to the international community. This trend is in reverse in other parts of the world.

• OPINION

  Ripe time to boost Thai-Vietnamese ties

  Oped, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 05/12/2023

  » Thai-Vietnamese ties have come a long way since they were first established in the 12th century. It is high time for both countries to sit down and work together towards a comprehensive strategic partnership (CSP).

• OPINION

  Asean, GCC meet amid Mideast crisis

  Oped, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 24/10/2023

  » The summit between the leaders of Asean and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) in Saudi Arabia last Friday was the first time the two regional organisations collaborated in what is developing into a divided and fast-changing global environment.

• OPINION

  First look at new Thai diplomatic tactics

  Oped, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 10/10/2023

  » In deciphering the 1,288-word Thai foreign policy statement announced last week, it is important to start at the very end. The last paragraph of "Thailand's Challenges: How to Thrive in Rising Geopolitical Uncertainty", put forward by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Parnpree Bahiddha-Nukara, was particularly revealing. He said succinctly that Thai diplomatic platforms must complement the government's domestic policies to improve people's standard of living and create job opportunities in order to get the country back in the global economic and political arena with dignity. In addition, it must enable the Thai business sector to grow and prosper domestically and internationally to increase confidence in Thailand.

• OPINION

  Lessons from Hun Sen's Cambodia

  Oped, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 08/08/2023

  » If international relations experts and scholars want to study a small state's diplomatic manoeuvres amid the ever-changing geopolitical landscape, they should make Cambodia their case study. With a new prime minister, Hun Manet, now in charge, the question remains: Will he be able to keep up with his father's multipolar politics?

• OPINION

  Asean broadens its geopolitical profile

  Oped, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 18/07/2023

  » Asean's geopolitical profile has significantly expanded under Indonesia's chairmanship, especially regarding the bloc's external relations with the great powers. Jakarta might be found wanting in its addressing of the Myanmar crisis, but that's understandable given the complexity of the stakeholders involved both on the battlefield and beyond.

• OPINION

  Asean no-nuke treaty in perilous times

  Oped, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 13/06/2023

  » The Thai word, chiew-chiew, which means relax and respond in kind, is a fitting description of Asean's current attitude towards the fiercely strategic competition between the United States and China.

• OPINION

  Imagining Thai diplomacy under MFP

  Oped, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 30/05/2023

  » With the winners of the recent election headed by the Move Forward Party still working to form the next government, it is too early to predict the outcome of the political manoeuvring by its potential coalition partners. If everything goes as planned, it will be the first liberal government in Thai history. Since the end of absolute monarchy in 1932, Thailand has been struggling to establish a strong foundation for a liberal society with democratic norms and values. So far, the efforts have not been successful, leaving Thailand stuck with the label of a half-baked democracy. Government after government has tried to push forward democratisation but failed due to political polarisation and a deep-rooted patronage system.

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