• OPINION

  Parnpree to diplomats: 'Don't give up'

  Oped, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 28/11/2023

  » 'Do not take no for an answer" could be the new hashtag for all Thai diplomats from now on. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Parnpree Bahidha-Nukara instructed his lieutenants not to give up or allow themselves to be turned down too easily when they are pursuing a "proactive economic policy".

• OPINION

  Post-poll policy: Dynamic continuity

  News, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 26/03/2019

  » Speculation is rife about imminent changes in Thailand's diplomatic direction after five years of military-ruled guidance. Political pundits and campaigners ahead of the polls last week also sent out strong signals that they expect a new cabinet in Government House with new policies. One of the casualties would be Thai-Chinese ties, which have progressed and strengthened without waveringly over the past five years. However, the outcome of Sunday's election indicates that whichever parties form the next civilian government, there will be little effect on the country's foreign relations or the current Asean chair. Indeed, Thailand's foreign policy will become more dynamic with continuity.

• OPINION

  Random thoughts from Trump's nation

  News, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 26/06/2018

  » 'Iknow Bruce Lee. Aargh...aargh...aargh…!," screamed a black driver in front of me at the intersection near the Marriott Hotel in Rockville, Maryland.

• OPINION

  Putting hearts and minds in Thai-US ties

  News, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 24/07/2018

  » The international rescue of 12 boys and their football coach in Chiang Rai earlier this month quickly permeated into the conference room of the Thai-US dialogue in Washington DC last week. The feel-good atmosphere jump-started the much-needed dialogue between the region's oldest allies.

• OPINION

  Thai-Israeli relations need recalibrating

  Oped, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 23/04/2024

  » This year, Thailand and Israel celebrate 70 years of diplomatic ties. Obviously, this comes during a period of great strain for Israel and the broader Middle East. Amidst it all, Thailand must recalibrate one of its most important foreign policies in the Middle East; otherwise, there will be nothing to celebrate.

• OPINION

  Myanmar eyes return to Asean fold

  Oped, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 13/02/2024

  » To understand the current game plan of Myanmar's military regime, it is perhaps a good time to remind ourselves of the letter written by former Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen to Senior General Min Aung Hlaing on Aug 19, 2022. The rather blunt personal letter urged the junta leader to implement the Five-Point Consensus (5PC), saying that if he fails to do so, his Asean colleagues might ban Myanmar from all meetings and recognise the National Unity Government (NUG). In short, Asean would give the seat to the NUG. The letter angered the general, and Hun Sen's practical advice was ignored, including his call for amnesty for four activists who had been sentenced to death. For the past three years, Myanmar's seat at Asean's high-level meetings has been left vacant. Then, on Feb 29, the seat was occupied temporarily.

• OPINION

  Which way Pheu Thai-led diplomacy?

  Oped, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 29/08/2023

  » Without being labelled as an autocratic regime, the diplomatic posture of the incoming government under Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin will be more vigorous and build on existing progress and achievements. Even though the government's official policy has yet to be announced, it is not difficult to outline some of the salient features of Pheu Thai-led foreign policy practices.

• 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

  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 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.

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