• OPINION

  Combatting fake news the Asean way

  Oped, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 06/06/2023

  » Three weeks have passed since the general election, and the Thai media is still flooded with fake news and disinformation of all kinds. Essentially, these are designed to harm a particular individual, a political group or the country. Overall, the country's domestic environment is very fluid. Aside from efforts to form a new coalition government, the most important issues are related to national security and diplomacy.

• OPINION

  Thailand's regional security makeover

  Oped, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 05/03/2024

  » After more than six months in power, border security-related issues have emerged as the Srettha government's non-economic top priority.

• OPINION

  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.

• OPINION

  Myanmar must fully implement 5PC

  Oped, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 23/01/2024

  » All credible sources indicate that since Operation 1027 was launched at the end of October, the State Administration Council (SAC) has lost approximately 469 military bases in various parts of Myanmar.

• OPINION

  8 Thai hostages must not be forgotten

  Oped, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 02/01/2024

  » The singular most important event of 2023 in Thailand was the Thai hostage crisis that began on Oct 7 when Hamas launched its surprise onslaught on Israel from the Gaza Strip. Several thousand Thai workers were caught up in the crisis, and several dozen were taken hostage along with over 240 men, women and children of almost two dozen nationalities. Apart from Israeli citizens, the number of Thais taken prisoner was the highest among foreigners, and at least 39 were confirmed killed. At the end of November and in the weeks that followed, a total of 23 Thais were freed. Today, eight remain in Gaza, and their fate is unknown. In modern Thai history, this is the first time such a huge number of Thai citizens have been abducted.

• 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

  Asean's response to Israel-Hamas war

  Oped, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 17/10/2023

  » More than ever before, the current Israeli-Hamas war has revealed the starkly different positions and views held by the 10 Asean members towards the abiding conflict in the Middle East. Asean has not issued a joint statement over the brutal attacks by the Palestinian militant group Hamas, which launched a large-scale offensive from the Gaza Strip on southern Israel on Oct 7.

• OPINION

  Durian powers Sino-Thai friendship

  Oped, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 04/07/2023

  » When it comes to the evolution of Sino-Thai relations, one must put aside all the geopolitical determinants and even such subjects as the current Russia-Ukraine war, the ramifications of the US-China standoff and tourism. The topic is durian, which serves as the weathervane of their long-standing bilateral ties. The durian, known worldwide as the "King of Fruits", is more than just a sticky, thorny and, yes, smelly fruit; they also define the nature of the five-decade-old Sino-Thai relations.

• OPINION

  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.

• OPINION

  Revitalising Thailand-Malaysia ties

  Oped, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 24/01/2023

  » 'So close and yet so far" is a popular description of the current state of ties between Thailand and Malaysia. It could have been better in the past, but now both countries can make a difference. Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim is visiting Thailand next month to advance bilateral ties to another level, but several elements are needed.

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