• News & article

  Asean juggles triangular power game

  Oped, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 09/04/2024

  » A rising China, a trusted Japan, and a declining America are three cogs dictating the global geopolitical landscape in Southeast Asia in the months, if not years, to come. Amidst intensifying geopolitics, Asean is in a position where this could either be a blessing or a curse.

• News & article

  Thailand's 2043 security outlook

  Oped, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 20/02/2024

  » Under an increasingly polarised world underlined by the strategic competition between global superpowers -- along with their friends and alliances, it is not surprising that Thailand views the global security landscape with trepidation. Such a trend is a litmus test for middle and smaller power nations to navigate their security policies and engagements. They do not have many choices; nevertheless, these small and medium-sized countries can either align themselves with the most prominent powers or lesser ones that can protect their national interests, or they can get together and use their combined strength to deter the hegemonic ambition of outside powers. Staying alone and pursuing one's pathway without supporting partners is not an option.

• News & article

  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.

• News & article

  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.

• News & article

  Dealing with the crisis in Myanmar

  Oped, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 26/09/2023

  » Since Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin came to power, the country's profile has been raised regionally and internationally.

• News & article

  New playbook for Thai diplomacy?

  Oped, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 12/09/2023

  » The Srettha government has started outlining its policies in parliament. Regarding diplomacy and internal policies, two paragraphs in the middle of the draft speech encapsulate the guiding principle of Thailand's new diplomatic trajectory.

• News & article

  Can Jakarta push peace in Myanmar?

  Oped, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 09/05/2023

  » By this weekend, the world will find out whether the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) -- under Indonesian chairmanship -- will be able to overcome challenges in Myanmar's peace process and bridge the divisions among various stakeholders.

• News & article

  New Thai-Malaysia economic dynamics

  Oped, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 14/02/2023

  » Without any diplomatic pleasantries, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha kicked off bilateral talks last week with his Malaysian counterpart, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, by stating clearly that Thai-Malaysian ties have not been progressing very well. The opening remarks drew a big smile from Mr Anwar as a sign of appreciation. It immediately set the tone of his two-day visit.

• News & article

  Thai diplomacy extends to Global South

  Oped, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 17/01/2023

  » At last week's virtual summit organised by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to gather input from members of the Global South, Thailand diligently reached out to the world's developing and less developing countries with a holistic approach focusing on human security and balanced development.

• News & article

  Thanks to Gorbachev, SE Asia found peace

  Oped, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 06/09/2022

  » Lest we forgot, President Mikhail Gorbachev was the Soviet leader who was the game changer in bringing an end to the Cambodian conflict. Southeast Asia owes him for giving peace a chance during the most turbulent time in this part of the world. The global media has widely credited him for ending the Cold War, opening up and giving more freedom in the Soviet Union, which was unfortunate as it also brought down the empire and led to the establishment of newly independent states.

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