• 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

  Thai-EU free trade deal on the horizon

  News, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 17/04/2024

  » If everything goes as planned, Thailand and the EU could sign a free trade agreement by mid-next year, in what is another example of the European Union's increasing engagement in the Indo-Pacific region.

• 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

  Competitiveness affects Indonesia ties

  News, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 27/06/2023

  » Just two years ago, Thailand and Indonesia commemorated the 70th anniversary of relations, with both sides holding events to celebrate. Over the year, they mapped out various plans that would boost bilateral ties with the aim of establishing and hastening a "strategic partnership". These included strengthening political and economic relations, investment, as well as people-to-people exchanges. In particular, both countries would establish "High-Level Committees" in their law enforcement agencies, including the police and military, to counter common challenges such as narcotics, human trafficking and call centre scams. Then a month later came the Myanmar quagmire.

• OPINION

  Thumb ups for 'new era' Asean-US ties

  Oped, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 17/05/2022

  » From now on, Asean-US relations will no longer be on "auto-pilot" mode as has been the case for the past six years. The total scheduled 10-and-a-half hours of quality time last week that Asean leaders spent in Washington DC chatting, lunching and dining with all key players in American politics were fruitful. The eight-page joint vision statement was a testimony to their common determination and the staying power of Asean-US relations, now celebrating 45 years. Indeed, Asean centrality has been further strengthened.

• OPINION

  Time to upgrade Asean-EU relationship

  News, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 03/11/2020

  » Today, Americans will go to the polls to elect their 46th president. It doesn't matter who the next president will be, the incumbent Donald Trump or his challenger, Joe Biden. Why? As far as Indo-Pacific region is concerned, the die has been cast due to the strategic competition between the two superpowers, the US and China. Therefore, the presidential outcome and impact on the global stage remain unchanged. New rhetoric and approaches might be generated but that would be it.

• OPINION

  Sustaining diplomacy post-Covid

  Oped, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 18/08/2020

  » The Bangkok-based diplomatic community breathed a sigh of relief following the announcement of the new cabinet on Aug 5. One of the major reasons was that Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai was staying on with the added role of deputy prime minister, making him one of the most powerful cabinet members at this juncture and post Covid-19. With a tenure of five years, Mr Don is now the longest-serving living minister overseeing the country's foreign policy.

• OPINION

  Asean-EU ties: seeking a middle path

  News, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 18/02/2020

  » Joseph Borrell, the new EU foreign minister, revealed down-to-earth pragmatism in a recent article, writing: "We Europeans must adjust our mental maps to deal with the world as it is, not as we hoped it would be." If this is the fresh path that the EU is following, Europe may become the most respected and powerful grouping of nations in the world. And it could all start right here in this region.

• OPINION

  More 'substantive' deal on S China Sea

  News, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 28/05/2019

  » Goodwill between Asean and China has reached an unprecedented level as both sides are working diligently to conclude the much anticipated code of conduct on the South China Sea. The process, which began in 2002, has now reached a crescendo, though there are still issues and differences that need to be ironed out.

• OPINION

  Asean must make EU a strategic partner

  News, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 22/01/2019

  » Asean can be vicious, as relations with the European Union demonstrate. At the Chiang Mai retreat last week, the official status of the EU as a new strategic dialogue partner was one of the prominent issues taken up by Asean foreign ministers. The press statement issued by the chair simply said that the EU's status, which Asean has agreed in principle, is still subject "to further details and time to be worked out". In a nutshell, it is still in limbo.

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