Roiled US-Chinese tensions in Asia pose Thailand with short-term leverage but a future trial ahead

[webfact]

Intense diplomatic activity over the last few weeks saw the Foreign Minister of China Wang Yi (left) and the US Secretary of State Antony Blinken (centre) visit Bangkok for meetings with Prime Minister Prayut Chan ocha and Thailand’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Don Pramudwinai (right). However, there are signs that China’s frustration with the current situation is waxing while US-Chinese tensions have risen even further over Taiwan with more Chinese aircraft entering the island’s air space.

 

by Joseph O' Connor

 

Thailand’s position has moved strikingly from its stance in 2018 when General Prayut Chan ocha told Time Magazine that the kingdom’s key strategic partner was China. As China’s impatience begins to show concerning the stalled high-speed rail link connection between Thailand and China’s southern provinces via Laos, the kingdom has moved closer to the United States and also, of key significance, Japan.

 

Tensions in the Indo-Pacific between the United States and China are rising fast with a warning on Monday from the Chinese Foreign Minister of ‘ferocious storms’ if Beijing’s sovereignty over Taiwan is breached. This comes after weeks of intensive diplomatic activity with twin visits by both the US Secretary of State and the Chinese top diplomat to Bangkok with US envoy Anthony Blinken promising investment by American firms of ฿2.7 billion after Thailand signed a Memorandum of Understanding binding it to the US Indo-Pacific Economic Framework. The kingdom also signed a joint communiqué where both countries committed themselves to promote democracy and democratic principles in the development of the region.

 

As tensions between China and an alliance that is forming to counter and contain it led by the United States in the Indo-Pacific grow, Thailand is moving closer to a tipping point when it may have to decide which side it is on even as Bangkok continues to play its perfected diplomatic art of balancing and playing off competing powers to such an extent that it has given the kingdom new leverage with which to further its short term diplomatic and economic goals.

 

Full story: https://www.thaiexaminer.com/thai-news-foreigners/2022/07/12/roiling-us-chinese-tensions-in-asia-a-trial/

 

-- © Copyright Thai Examiner 2022-07-13

 

- Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here.

 

Monthly car subscription with first-class insurance, 24x7 assistance and more in one price - click here to find out more!

[RandiRona]

I doubt US is coming to fight for Taiwan. Unfortunately I doubt Taiwan has much time left before it becomes Papa Xi's mistress , so is a fate for whole south china sea.

Ukrain attack has bare open the limitation and weakness of the free world.

[KIngsofisaan]

41 minutes ago, RandiRona said:

I doubt US is coming to fight for Taiwan. Unfortunately I doubt Taiwan has much time left before it becomes Papa Xi's mistress , so is a fate for whole south china sea.

Ukrain attack has bare open the limitation and weakness of the free world.

Well, good thing you have your doubts, short of any facts.

 

Hope it helps you sleep well at night.

[RandiRona]

6 minutes ago, KIngsofisaan said:

Well, good thing you have your doubts, short of any facts.

 

Hope it helps you sleep well at night.

I am sure you can enlighten us with you wisdom drops!

[hotchilli]

7 hours ago, webfact said:

As tensions between China and an alliance that is forming to counter and contain it led by the United States in the Indo-Pacific grow, Thailand is moving closer to a tipping point when it may have to decide which side it is on even as Bangkok continues to play its perfected diplomatic art of balancing and playing off competing powers to such an extent that it has given the kingdom new leverage with which to further its short term diplomatic and economic goals.

Sometimes sitting on the fence isn't the safest place to be.

[bigupandchill]

If anything the failure of Russia to achieve anything in Ukraine apart from turning the country into a pariah must make Xi think twice about going down the same path.

 

It has also highlighted the dangers of totalitarianism to world peace and order.

[John Drake]

3 hours ago, hotchilli said:

Sometimes sitting on the fence isn't the safest place to be.

Thailand knows this. During the 1950s, when China threatened to sweep down through Laos into Thailand, the US made emergency preparations for certain important individuals to evacuated from Thailand. And one other thing, the Mekong water card is not something China can play against Thailand. If it did so, China would hurt its Lao and Cambodian satellites more than Thailand. 

[KIngsofisaan]

15 hours ago, RandiRona said:

I am sure you can enlighten us with you wisdom drops!

it is your doubts, enlighten us with your FACTS?