Showing 1 - 10 of 12
Asean's balancing act gains momentum
Oped, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 12/08/2025
» In the middle of the Covid-19 crisis, a tentative idea was raised at the Chongqing virtual meeting between Asean-China foreign ministers in June 2021, for Asean Plus Two. The two referred to the US and China. The bloc's leaders were quite worried that US-China rivalry, especially during the pandemic, would result in catastrophic outcomes for the regional economy and its integration.
Asean's united front amid global shifts
Oped, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 30/07/2024
» This year's Asean Ministerial Meeting (AMM) was notable for the unity of its members, as the bloc has faced increased pressure to align with major powers. Kudos to the humble Asean chair, Deputy Prime Minister Saleumxay Kommasith, also Laos' Minister of Foreign Affairs, who emphasised at the annual meeting's outset that amid rapid and complex geopolitical and geo-economic changes, Asean must remain united and enhance its centrality.
Myanmar crisis hits 'fatigue' level
Oped, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 16/07/2024
» Nearly three and a half years since the military coup in February 2021, the crisis in Myanmar shows no signs of resolution. The internecine war between the military junta, known as the State Administration Council (SAC), and the various ethnic armed organisations (EAOs) continues unabated, with no endgame in sight.
Towards strategic Thai-French ties
Oped, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 14/05/2024
» In April 2022, Thailand learned that French President Emmanuel Macron was keen to engage with the Asia-Pacific region in person. As the host of the 32nd Asia-Pacific Economic Leaders' Meeting (Apec) in October of that year, former deputy prime minister and foreign minister Don Pramudwinai quickly issued an invitation to the president to attend as a guest. The rest, as they say, is history.
Asean summit forges fresh strategies
Oped, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 05/09/2023
» With its theme "Asean Matters: Epicentrum of economic growth", the Indonesian chair has raised the Asean playing field to an unprecedented level, especially as the bloc has to engage with a new geopolitical and geoeconomic landscape. That helps explain why Indonesian President Joko Widodo or Jokowi has to reiterate that Asean needs an extraordinary tactical strategy to face the current global turmoil when he met on Friday with a group of high-level Asean businessmen and investors.
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.
Boosting Thai-US ties in an age of crisis
Oped, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 31/05/2022
» The Thailand-US alliance is still alive and well but in order to move forward, both sides have to ramp up dialogues, sharpen their focus and enhance their cooperation. That was the conclusion from the nine hours of discussions from May 9-10 in Washington between their senior foreign affairs and defence officials.
Asean leaders face off with big powers
Oped, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 26/10/2021
» In Bandar Seri Begawan, whether Asean leaders decide to upgrade China and Australia's dialogue status to comprehensive strategic partnership (CSP) this week or defer it to a later date will be a weather vane of the bloc's future engagement and management with the great powers, especially over the ripple effects of the US-China rivalry and potential military build-up.
What might have been at Vegas summit
News, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 03/03/2020
» The Asean officials preparing for the March 14 special Asean-US Summit were greatly relieved when the White House announced on Friday that the Las Vegas rendezvous would be postponed due to Covid-19 fears. Indeed, with exactly two weeks to go before the event, the Asean side was still wondering what the "deliverable milestones" of their summit were likely to be.
East Asian leadership rises in Bangkok
News, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 05/11/2019
» The 35th Asean-related summits, which ended on Monday, saw the region's leaders display their magnanimity through collective leadership and common commitments for a stronger and more prosperous East Asia. The absence of US President Donald Trump was a blessing in disguise, since it meant the global media had to focus on the substance of their talks. These days, East Asian leaders are bolder and more willing to work together despite their domestic constraints and the longstanding bilateral disputes among them.