Bangkok’s balancing act: Is Thailand really in lockstep with China?

[webfact]

Bangkok’s balancing act: Is Thailand really in lockstep with China?

By Skylar Lindsay

 

Photo: Aleksandr Zykov

 

Five years of junta rule trammelled Thailand’s relations with the US and pushed it to new military and strategic ties with China. Prayuth hasn’t left Washington for Beijing—Bangkok is just being pragmatic.

 

Last month in Bangkok, after meeting with Chinese Premier Li Keqiang, Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-o-cha compared Thailand to an ant and China to a lion: “A tiny ant can sometimes help a big lion or elephant.”

 

The animal metaphor drew some questions from the Thai public, but it speaks to the government’s approach to relations with China. Since Thailand’s coup in 2014, Bangkok has increased its military ties with Beijing out of pragmatism and a new drive to balance relations with its long-term allies in Washington. Sometimes this takes the form of appeasement or pandering rhetoric but it’s still calculated tact, even if the wording was off-the-cuff.

 

When the Thai military overthrew the civilian government of then-Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra in a bloodless coup in May 2014, giving way to nearly five years of junta rule, the US refused to recognize the junta government. China, on the other hand, was quick to recognize the new Thai leaders.

 

Source: https://www.aseantoday.com/2019/12/bangkoks-balancing-act-is-thailand-really-in-lockstep-with-china/

 

-- Asean Today 2019-12-20

[zydeco]

I see Chinese flags everywhere in Thailand. On university buildings, on government websites, inside shopping malls and stores, in Tops and Foodland, inside hotels and on their websites. About the only place I see an American flag is inside the US Embassy. I can't remember seeing it at any of those other places.

[klauskunkel]

4 hours ago, webfact said:

Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-o-cha compared Thailand to an ant and China to a lion: “A tiny ant can sometimes help a big lion or elephant."

"I know all about animals. My cabinet is full of them: I've got an old toad, a braying donkey, a snake all coiled-up and hissing and several screeching monkeys."

 

[zydeco]

1 hour ago, klauskunkel said:

"I know all about animals. My cabinet is full of them: I've got an old toad, a braying donkey, a snake all coiled-up and hissing and several screeching monkeys."

 

Sounds as if they are in violation of the public gatherings law.

[kidneyw]

"Panda ring rhetoric," sounds right.

[Tops]

In China they're calling Thailand their latest province.

[Nyezhov]

12 minutes ago, Tops said:

In China they're calling Thailand their latest province.

got a source for that?

[DaRoadrunner]

I notice for example, that Thailand is cooperating with China on their new rail project, but that the Thais have not borrowed any money from the Chinese to construct it. China will not own the Thai end. So maybe the Thais will be able to benefit from their cooperation without being taken over? Quite a tightrope act, given the fact that China has designs on taking over the region.

 

Then again, look at business in Thailand, it is 90% Chinese owned. But the Thais response is, it is ok, they are Chinese Thais.

[Isaan sailor]

If you look at the Baht vs western currencies—you might see the pattern over two years.  USD now at a six year low, and hot money at Bank of Thailand flows in daily, and their USD reserves keep building to historic levels.  BTW, they still talk about “monitoring the Baht closely at BoT.

So yes, I believe the Cha-Cha regime has cozied up to the ChiComs...

[soalbundy]

13 hours ago, DaRoadrunner said:

I notice for example, that Thailand is cooperating with China on their new rail project, but that the Thais have not borrowed any money from the Chinese to construct it. China will not own the Thai end. So maybe the Thais will be able to benefit from their cooperation without being taken over? Quite a tightrope act, given the fact that China has designs on taking over the region.

 

Then again, look at business in Thailand, it is 90% Chinese owned. But the Thais response is, it is ok, they are Chinese Thais.

I've said it before, at the right places Thailand has some very clever people, nothing to do with the government as such although they have to be convinced and overcome, the higher echelons of the Thai civil service are pragmatic and have the right strategies in place, the West, especially the USA could learn a lot from them.

[Traubert]

22 hours ago, Nyezhov said:

got a source for that?

Of course he hasn't because it's not true.

 

Thailand is 'Tai Guo' to the Chinese as it always was. All this talk of new Chinese provinces is just fear. China has no interest in taking any other country over. Isn't it a big enough job running the most populated country in the world?

[Assurancetourix]

47 minutes ago, Traubert said:

China has no interest in taking any other country over

You should tell your stories to Laotians and especially Cambodians;
the province of Sianoukville has been completely Chinese for several months;
everything has been destroyed to be replaced by dozens of Chinese casinos where all the employees are Chinese;
Cambodians are forced to leave because the only language spoken is Chinese and house rental prices have skyrocketed.

Also tell your stories in many African countries which have been cut for many years by Chinese investors.
The French and English who reigned on this continent were ousted by China.

The same thing will happen to Thailand; it will take a little longer but the Chinese are in no hurry;
if it is not in 5 years, it will be in 10 years or in 20, but it will be, for sure.

[DaRoadrunner]

2 hours ago, Traubert said:

China has no interest in taking any other country over.

To the above we could add Tibet. And ask a Taiwanese!

[Gweiloman]

2 hours ago, Assurancetourix said:

You should tell your stories to Laotians and especially Cambodians;
the province of Sianoukville has been completely Chinese for several months;
everything has been destroyed to be replaced by dozens of Chinese casinos where all the employees are Chinese;
Cambodians are forced to leave because the only language spoken is Chinese and house rental prices have skyrocketed.

Also tell your stories in many African countries which have been cut for many years by Chinese investors.
The French and English who reigned on this continent were ousted by China.

The same thing will happen to Thailand; it will take a little longer but the Chinese are in no hurry;
if it is not in 5 years, it will be in 10 years or in 20, but it will be, for sure.

Just goes to show who the real powers are today. And so many farangs here still strut around with their superiority complexes. 

[Traubert]

6 hours ago, DaRoadrunner said:

To the above we could add Tibet. And ask a Taiwanese!

Tibet was Chinese since the 13th Century. Prior to 1950 China was kind of busy fighting off the Japanese and then endured a civil war.

 

Should Tibet go back to a brutal theocracy that maimed the peasants for stealing bread? Even the Buddhists there fought each other. 95% illiteracy, 45% death in childbirth, infant mortality 55%, while the Dalai Lama and his henchmen cosied up to the Nazis? Yes, it's out there, look it up.

 

Is that what they should be doing?

 

Taiwan? What's their problem? Only problem is if China turns off the tap. They are fully dependent on the mainland, despite what America tells you.

[chainarong]

On 12/20/2019 at 7:11 PM, DaRoadrunner said:

I notice for example, that Thailand is cooperating with China on their new rail project, but that the Thais have not borrowed any money from the Chinese to construct it. China will not own the Thai end. So maybe the Thais will be able to benefit from their cooperation without being taken over? Quite a tightrope act, given the fact that China has designs on taking over the region.

 

Then again, look at business in Thailand, it is 90% Chinese owned. But the Thais response is, it is ok, they are Chinese Thais.

They'll probably get a substandard product for not borrowing, like the leading bogie disengaging from the chassis at 130 Kmh or rails cracking in the heat or top quality concrete sleepers breaking in half, everything issued with forged Quality control stickers.

[zydeco]

7 hours ago, Traubert said:

Tibet was Chinese since the 13th Century. Prior to 1950 China was kind of busy fighting off the Japanese and then endured a civil war.

 

Should Tibet go back to a brutal theocracy that maimed the peasants for stealing bread? Even the Buddhists there fought each other. 95% illiteracy, 45% death in childbirth, infant mortality 55%, while the Dalai Lama and his henchmen cosied up to the Nazis? Yes, it's out there, look it up.

 

Is that what they should be doing?

 

Taiwan? What's their problem? Only problem is if China turns off the tap. They are fully dependent on the mainland, despite what America tells you.

Is that you, Hu Xijin?

[jaffas21]

On 12/20/2019 at 12:40 PM, zydeco said:

I see Chinese flags everywhere in Thailand. On university buildings, on government websites, inside shopping malls and stores, in Tops and Foodland, inside hotels and on their websites. About the only place I see an American flag is inside the US Embassy. I can't remember seeing it at any of those other places.

except in the malls where all the companies are American of course, who needs flags. These malls  sell american clothes and only chinese electronics like huwawei. Dunkin donuts, mcdonalds, texas chicken the list goes on. The Thais have a big appetite for western consumerism if they can afford it. Then again about the only thing I see a lot of people getting are phones on a contract of course. Powermall, the computer shops and even central is largely empty as no one can afford it as clothes can not be bought on credit.

 

the americans are invading through economics .. even the 7 eleven is american and japanese

Edited December 22, 2019 by jaffas21

[mokwit]

The Thais expect/hope to play off the two superpowers against each other - my guess is that one local one will demand that they choose only one and due to its nearness, pragmatism will dictate that it be that one.

[Assurancetourix]

27 minutes ago, jaffas21 said:

even the 7 eleven is american and japanese

And Lotus is english ...

[Chazar]

On 12/20/2019 at 6:11 PM, DaRoadrunner said:

they are Chinese Thais.

Thai Chinese..............I  think youll  find, cant be having any other nation before the Thai

[zydeco]

4 hours ago, jaffas21 said:

except in the malls where all the companies are American of course, who needs flags. These malls  sell american clothes and only chinese electronics like huwawei. Dunkin donuts, mcdonalds, texas chicken the list goes on. The Thais have a big appetite for western consumerism if they can afford it. Then again about the only thing I see a lot of people getting are phones on a contract of course. Powermall, the computer shops and even central is largely empty as no one can afford it as clothes can not be bought on credit.

 

the americans are invading through economics .. even the 7 eleven is american and japanese

Most "American" clothes and clothes brands are made in China, Vietnam, or similar places. last I looked over 33 percent of American clothing was made in China. Most of those other places you mention are franchises, with Thai operators and owners, especially 7 Eleven, which is operated by CP, which I guess is the largest business holding in Thailand--except for . . .  What's Texas Chicken? Never heard of it. Besides, the Japanese own 7, which started out as Southland Corp. in Dallas, but was bought out long ago.

Edited December 22, 2019 by zydeco

[ParkerN]

On 12/21/2019 at 7:32 AM, soalbundy said:

I've said it before, at the right places Thailand has some very clever people, nothing to do with the government as such although they have to be convinced and overcome, the higher echelons of the Thai civil service are pragmatic and have the right strategies in place, the West, especially the USA could learn a lot from them.

 

Examples of the genius of Thai Civil Servants?

 

[rvaviator]

18 hours ago, Traubert said:

So the French and English belong in Asia but the Chinese dont?

 

You think that Cambodia and Laos don't welcome Chinese investment? The French and English were invaders not investors, they took, not gave. Well, except for all the opium.

 

In building those casinos, the wages paid to Cambodian labourers were previously only a dream.

 

Who sold the houses to the Chinese? Who are the Chinese paying rent to?

 

Do you think the Ethiopian coffee growers are unhappy about the new train track from Addis Ababa to the coast that lets them sell their coffee in two days instead of a week? The previous railway was built by the French incidentally but they abandoned to fall into ruin. The Chinese are handing it over to Ethiopia and training all the operatives over three years.

 

That's just one example amongst all the schools, universities, hospitals, stadiums etc that China is building in Africa. How can that be a bad thing? The English, French, Dutch and Germans previously only enslaved and stole in Africa.

Hmmm  I could be wrong .. But all the great construction projects that you mention .. are they not built with borrowed money (from China) .. What happens when you can not pay pay back what you borrow?   Maybe Africa is just trading one 'imperial power' for another, possibly smarter 'Imperial power'.  The Chines play the long game.

[Traubert]

1 hour ago, rvaviator said:

Hmmm  I could be wrong .. But all the great construction projects that you mention .. are they not built with borrowed money (from China) .. What happens when you can not pay pay back what you borrow?   Maybe Africa is just trading one 'imperial power' for another, possibly smarter 'Imperial power'.  The Chines play the long game.

It's a straight trade off for natural resources in the countries involved. It actually prevents countries falling into debt that they can't repay in a pecuniary sense and stops the local warlords marching in and nicking the lot, abandoning the projects.

 

Naturally, you will only hear about the harbour and airport in Sri Lanka which is nowhere near Africa and was more of a political issue than financial.

Edited December 22, 2019 by Traubert

[White Christmas13]

17 hours ago, Traubert said:

Tibet was Chinese since the 13th Century. Prior to 1950 China was kind of busy fighting off the Japanese and then endured a civil war.

 

Should Tibet go back to a brutal theocracy that maimed the peasants for stealing bread? Even the Buddhists there fought each other. 95% illiteracy, 45% death in childbirth, infant mortality 55%, while the Dalai Lama and his henchmen cosied up to the Nazis? Yes, it's out there, look it up.

 

Is that what they should be doing?

 

Taiwan? What's their problem? Only problem is if China turns off the tap. They are fully dependent on the mainland, despite what America tells you.

I guess you lived to long in China

[Isaan sailor]

1 hour ago, White Christmas13 said:

I guess you lived to long in China

He’s a full fledged ChiCom troll.  Pay no attention to his ramblings.

[White Christmas13]

2 hours ago, Isaan sailor said:

He’s a full fledged ChiCom troll.  Pay no attention to his ramblings.

Yes I know

[Traubert]

3 hours ago, White Christmas13 said:

I guess you lived to long in China

Not yet I haven't.

 

So Tibet WASN'T a brutal, feudal theocracy under the Dalai Lama? And he never consorted with the Nazi's? You're denying documented history? Ok, what does Hollywood say?

2 hours ago, Isaan sailor said:

He’s a full fledged ChiCom troll.  Pay no attention to his ramblings.

Ah, I see that refuting your daily diatribe based from the 1950's is starting to hurt.

 

ChiCom's indeed. How long since you hung up your tin hat?

Edited December 22, 2019 by Traubert

[Traubert]

16 hours ago, chainarong said:

They'll probably get a substandard product for not borrowing, like the leading bogie disengaging from the chassis at 130 Kmh or rails cracking in the heat or top quality concrete sleepers breaking in half, everything issued with forged Quality control stickers.

Japanese trains actually. German signalling.

 

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