• OPINION

  Trump strengthens Asean-EU ties

  News, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 25/07/2017

  » Rapid US withdrawals from its own free-trade initiative, the Trans-Pacific Partnership, and the Paris Accord on climate change have all but shattered Washington's credibility both at the regional and global levels. Sensing the deep diplomatic black hole, and with prevailing anxiety high regarding the future direction of US leadership, the European Union (EU) has moved quickly to fill the gap, especially in Southeast Asia where it has been eager to boost ties with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean).

• OPINION

  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:

• OPINION

  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.

• OPINION

  The 184-year-old paradox of elephant-eagle relations

  News, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 02/10/2017

  » The elephant and eagle as symbols of Thailand and the United States were not the creation of today's news spin-meisters. In 1833, US president Andrew Jackson gave a gift to King Rama III that symbolised one of the most important relations the US had with the outside world -- its first foreign mission in Asia. Jackson gave the king a sword with an eagle representing America and an elephant representing Siam carved into the handle.

• OPINION

  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.

• OPINION

  Donald Trump must learn virtues of EAS

  News, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 09/11/2017

  » The region's premium strategic forum, known as the East Asia Summit (EAS), which was established in 2005, has been the only place where Indo-Pacific leaders can present concerns and establish goodwill.

• OPINION

  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.

• OPINION

  N Korea: An enemy at Asean's gate?

  News, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 26/12/2017

  » Southeast Asia is no longer immune from North Korean nuclear destructive force. As tensions heighten by the day, the US, Japan, South Korea and China, in their thoughtful ways, are bringing the looming nuclear threat to the eardrums of all Asean leaders. A frequently asked question: Are they serious?

• OPINION

  Mekong countries eye bold new future

  News, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 09/01/2018

  » When lead characters in a Chinese kung fu movie drink wine from the same cup, they are considered sworn brothers. They will fight and die together. Will all six riparian countries of the Lancang, or Mekong (Lan-Mei), share the same spirit of camaraderie as they all live on this magnificent river? There may be ominous signs during the Second Summit of the Lancang-Mekong Cooperation (LMC) on Jan 10-11 in Phnom Penh.

• OPINION

  Locating Thailand in the Indo-Pacific region

  News, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 30/01/2018

  » Bluntly put, there are two reasons that propel Thailand to the front of the Asean queue in endorsing the US-led Indo-Pacific region concept. First of all, Thailand does not want the Indo-Pacific to concentrate on consultations between the US, India, Japan and Australia grouping -- known as the Quadrilateral or Quad. Bangkok perceives it as an emerging broader Indo-Pacific community. Secondly, the region's stability and prosperity will depend more on inclusive security cooperation both on land and at sea.

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