Showing 1 - 10 of 13
Paetongtarn and the price of weak govt
Oped, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 02/09/2025
» The Constitutional Court's dismissal of Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra and her cabinet last Friday has plunged Thailand into a political poly-crisis.
Trump ready with Asean policy 2.0
Oped, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 21/01/2025
» Last week's Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing for Senator Marco Rubio was very insightful, especially regarding comments related to US-Asean relations. Mr Rubio demonstrated knowledge about Asean and the need for flexibility in engaging with the countries in the region. His comments have also calmed surging concerns over a potential tariff hike under the Trump administration. Certainly, he is expected to be confirmed and replace Antony Blinken as Secretary of State.
Trump redux and US-Thai-Asean ties
Oped, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 12/11/2024
» Under President Donald Trump, the trajectory of US-Thai-Asean relations will be defined by three factors -- rising trade imbalances, intensifying US-China rivalry and Asean's long-term aspirations under its Community Vision 2045. Donald Trump's "America First" policies will impose many challenges.
Be it red or blue: SE Asia's pivot is true
Oped, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 05/11/2024
» Red or blue, the next US administration must firmly engage with Southeast Asia and its regional organisation, Asean, to protect its strategic interests.
US looks to deepen Asean partnership
Oped, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 08/10/2024
» Annual meetings between Asean leaders and major powers from both the West and East have made Asean an important strategic partner. The upcoming Asean-related summits in Vientiane this week are no different. After the pandemic, Asean has become more prominent, though sometimes passive, in the region. By not fully taking sides in the East-West divide, Asean keeps its influence and room to handle the complex global security issues.
Thailand's response to global trends
Oped, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 13/08/2024
» Understanding Thailand's approach to evolving international orders requires examining its decisions. These decisions by recent and current governments offer a clear view of the country's diplomatic trajectory in an increasingly uncertain world.
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.
Can the region be an epicentrum of growth?
Oped, Lili Yan Ing & Yessi Vadila, Published on 27/04/2023
» 'Asean as an Epicentrum of Growth" is the theme of Indonesia's 2023 Asean chairmanship. Is it a reliable and attainable vision? Whilst some may be optimistic about the vision's potential, for us, it sounds more like jargon than a vision.
Asean sticks to peace agenda in Ukraine
Oped, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 21/02/2023
» This week marks the first year of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The biggest war in Europe since World War II will continue as nobody knows when, or if ever, Russia or Ukraine will be defeated. Certainly, the US and Europe, or rather Nato are confident that more military hardware support to Kyiv is the only way to bleed Russia dry. Recent rhetoric from the West at the Munich Security Conference last week has already raised the spectre of a long war, perhaps short of a nuclear war. Obviously, that has the potential to drag other European nations into the conflict, which is already a proxy war. Belarus has allowed Russia to use its territory to wedge war against Ukraine. Even if the war ends -- it is a big if -- the dire repercussions will continue for generations.
Apec 2022: Miss it at your own peril
Oped, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 04/10/2022
» After dilly-dallying for some time, President Joe Biden informed the Thai government that he will not attend the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation Leaders' meeting (APECLM) on Nov 18-19. The reason is quite simple: He is attending the wedding of his granddaughter at the White House. Instead, he is sending Vice President Kamala Harris to represent the US at the two-day meeting in Bangkok.