• OPINION

  7 secrets of Thai Covid-19 success

  News, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 23/06/2020

  » When the first coronavirus infection was detected on Jan 13, there were fears that Thailand would be the hardest hit by the pandemic, and that the country might not survive due to the onslaught unleashed by a faceless enemy.

• OPINION

  Lao Asean chair: better comfort level

  Oped, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 06/02/2024

  » The outgrowth of the latest Asean foreign ministers' retreat in Luang Prabang last week palpably shows a better comfort level between the host and their colleagues. Such a casual atmosphere generated better outcomes without politicising or dragging on contentious issues. Most importantly, Vientiane's diplomatic finesse is highly visible in its third chairmanship in approaching Asean-related issues and challenges: the thinking is less is more with clear-cut priorities. If this trajectory continues, the Lao chair will be lauded.

• OPINION

  Thai-Cambodian ties enter a new era

  Oped, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 30/01/2024

  » Exactly 37 days before Samdech Moha Borvor Thipadei Hun Manet was due to fly to Bangkok on Feb 7 for a one-day official visit, Cambodia extended Thai border pass access to Siem Reap, where Angkor Wat is located. This was an act of goodwill as the proposal has been on the table for discussions since Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin's visit to Phnom Penh in September -- his first official foreign destination after being elected Thai leader.

• OPINION

  New shifts in Thai Middle East policy

  Oped, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 14/11/2023

  » The past five weeks have been a hellish time for the new Srettha government, with 39 Thai workers killed and many others injured and kidnapped in the Israel-Hamas war. Despite Thais being categorised as "innocent", "unarmed", and "non-lethal", they have suffered the highest casualties among foreigners in Israel.

• 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

  Virtual diplomacy is real in Thailand

  Oped, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 11/07/2023

  » The past several months have been tumultuous times in Thai diplomacy, with virtual diplomacy constantly challenging real-world diplomacy. Several incidents have occurred involving neighbouring countries, friends and allies. They all started off simply as casual online conversations or Instagram posts, then suddenly, they could quickly have turned toxic and evolved into diplomatic squabbling.

• 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.

• OPINION

  Don't forget fringe parties in the election

  Oped, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 02/05/2023

  » A total of 70 political parties with 4,781 candidates are contesting 400 MP seats, and 1,898 candidates from 67 political parties are vying for 100 list-MP seats in the general election on May 14.

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