Showing 311 - 316 of 316
China's push to make new friends
News, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 29/08/2017
» As the world's No.2 economic power with growing political clout, China is working hard to find regional strategic partners who it can "trust". The desired partners can be any countries in Asean that have minds of their own but understand the game of power politics. Most importantly, their foreign policy must not in any way, real or imagined, undermine China's position in the region.
Thai role key in forging future of Asean
News, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 01/08/2017
» There has been a lot of hullabaloo about Thailand's role in Asean as the group celebrates its 50th anniversary next week. However, really determining the country's status within Asean will take another eight years when Asean Vision 2025 wraps up and will be evaluated. Here are three determinants:
Tillerson's 5-hour trip to reset Thai-US ties
News, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 08/08/2017
» When US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson returns to Bangkok Tuesday for a five-hour visit, he will find a bruised but confident ally ready to reset the 185-year-old Thai-US relations. This 300-minute interlude should prove extremely significant in determining the future of Thai-US relations. Lest we forget, his trip precedes a scheduled two-day visit by Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov starting tomorrow.
Thailand and Vietnam: Stronger together
News, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 15/08/2017
» In Asean, Vietnam is Thailand's only strategic partner. Three points in particular underpin the countries' unique ties.
Trump strengthens Asean-EU ties
News, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 25/07/2017
» Rapid US withdrawals from its own free-trade initiative, the Trans-Pacific Partnership, and the Paris Accord on climate change have all but shattered Washington's credibility both at the regional and global levels. Sensing the deep diplomatic black hole, and with prevailing anxiety high regarding the future direction of US leadership, the European Union (EU) has moved quickly to fill the gap, especially in Southeast Asia where it has been eager to boost ties with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean).
Recalling Thanat as a diplomatic doyen
News, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 20/07/2017
» 'We [Thais] cannot forsake our responsibility and leave it to others to shape our destiny for us. So we are not hawkish, we are not anti-communist, we are just plain and simple people who want to live and to survive as free people and a free nation." This unmistakable articulation of Thai diplomacy made by Thanat Khoman in 1968 is still very much alive and kicking today.