Balancing between US, China a challenge for Thailand’s next administration

[snoop1130]

[FILE] US President Joe Biden (R) and China’s President Xi Jinping (L) shake hands as they meet on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Nusa Dua on the Indonesian resort island of Bali on November 14, 2022. / AFP

 

Striking a right balance in its relationship with the US and China whose ongoing geopolitical rivalry is rattling the world will be a major policy challenge for Thailand’s new administration, according to top politicians contending in the upcoming general election.

 

There is also a consensus among them that Thailand must not choose sides given the close ties it has with both superpowers.

 

“Both countries have been Thailand’s good friends all along. Both are important to Thailand historically and economically. Therefore, we need to maintain our friendship with both,” said Korn Chatikavanij , leader of Chartpattanakla Party and its prime minister candidate.

 

Full Story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/balancing-between-us-china-a-challenge-for-thailands-next-administration/

 

-- © Copyright Thai PBS 2023-04-21

 

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[expat_4_life]

“Both countries have been Thailand’s good friends all along. Both are important to Thailand historically and economically. Therefore, we need to maintain our friendship with both,” said Korn Chatikavanij , leader of Chartpattanakla Party and its prime minister candidate.

Korn Chatikavanij seems to understand that picking sides between China and the US is not beneficial to Thailand. I would agree.

Nice campaign rhetoric. I notice he did not mention Russia though.  I wonder what his position on the Ukraine war is?

[Pedrogaz]

Easy, dump the US and throw your lot in with China.

[RandiRona]

Thailand always sold themselves to the one who pays more. Historically from British to Japan to Americans to Chinese, they have changed hands and loyalty multiple times but what is not changed is Generals's spineless character. They help bombed their own neighbourhood for petty dollas....

I am sure they will figure out something to please the one with more dough or power.....

[wwest5829]

3 hours ago, RandiRona said:

Thailand always sold themselves to the one who pays more. Historically from British to Japan to Americans to Chinese, they have changed hands and loyalty multiple times but what is not changed is Generals's spineless character. They help bombed their own neighbourhood for petty dollas....

I am sure they will figure out something to please the one with more dough or power.....

Interesting reading of history. There are however, other interpretations to Thai history ...

[RandiRona]

1 hour ago, wwest5829 said:

Interesting reading of history. There are however, other interpretations to Thai history ...

I am sure there is… one which is written in Thai and which they are selling for ages regarding Thailand never been colonized or never lost a war and one real interpretation in other languages which most Thais can’t read.

here is Thailand being a great neighbor.

Thailand played a significant role in the bombing of Laos during the Vietnam War. According to the New York Times¹, Thailand hosted seven air bases that launched American military aircraft daily on missions to strike strategic targets in Laos, North Vietnam and South Vietnam. The United States funded the rapid expansion of a naval base and port facilities that brought war-related supplies into the region. Thailand also deployed combat troops to Laos to confront Viet Minh and communist Pathet Lao forces, and provided forward air guides for the CIA’s covert operations in Laos². The U.S. Air Force began bombing targets in Laos in 1964, flying planes like AC-130s and B-52s full of cluster bombs on covert missions based out of Thailand³. As a result, Laos became the most heavily bombed nation in history, with over two million tons of cluster bombs dropped over the country³

[RichardColeman]

Picture speaks more than words....

[dinsdale]

6 minutes ago, RichardColeman said:

Picture speaks more than words....

The dictator and the dummy.

[luckyblock token]

7 hours ago, Pedrogaz said:

Easy, dump the US and throw your lot in with China.

yes , 100% right

[thailand49]

Not easy balance?

As to what cheek to kiss? 

You want XI to shake hands you better jump when he calls nothing is free.  

[jimgilly]

Actually not a hard decision.  Either go with the country that will be on top going forward or the country that is totally broke, likes to start wars and is going down faster than the Titanic. 

[John Drake]

Thailand has already chosen China.

 

Quote

The powerful Chinese–Thai businesses that control much of the Thai economy, such as the Charoen Pokphand Group, are close to China. The CEO of Charoen Pokphand Group Dhanin Chearavanont goes by the name Xie Guomin in China and is president of the China Federation of Overseas Chinese Businessmen — a United Front Work Group affiliate.          https://aseannow.com/topic/1281532-chinese-illicit-influence-scandals-in-thailand/

 

 

[ThaiFelix]

On 4/22/2023 at 7:00 AM, RandiRona said:

I am sure there is… one which is written in Thai and which they are selling for ages regarding Thailand never been colonized or never lost a war and one real interpretation in other languages which most Thais can’t read.

here is Thailand being a great neighbor.

Thailand played a significant role in the bombing of Laos during the Vietnam War. According to the New York Times¹, Thailand hosted seven air bases that launched American military aircraft daily on missions to strike strategic targets in Laos, North Vietnam and South Vietnam. The United States funded the rapid expansion of a naval base and port facilities that brought war-related supplies into the region. Thailand also deployed combat troops to Laos to confront Viet Minh and communist Pathet Lao forces, and provided forward air guides for the CIA’s covert operations in Laos². The U.S. Air Force began bombing targets in Laos in 1964, flying planes like AC-130s and B-52s full of cluster bombs on covert missions based out of Thailand³. As a result, Laos became the most heavily bombed nation in history, with over two million tons of cluster bombs dropped over the country³

You have explained it all so well.  It is clear from history thats its so much safer to side with the Chinese.  The US has bombed and waged war extensively through this area......has the Chinese?

[ThaiFelix]

On 4/22/2023 at 9:09 AM, jimgilly said:

Actually not a hard decision.  Either go with the country that will be on top going forward or the country that is totally broke, likes to start wars and is going down faster than the Titanic. 

Going down?  Is there a lower level?

[mokwit]

China will not allow Thailand a choice.

[sidneybear]

Thailand should stay neutral, and politely ignore the US if the latter expects Thailand to take sides.

 

Thailand and China handle diplomacy much better than the US does.

[sidneybear]

On 4/21/2023 at 8:42 PM, expat_4_life said:

I notice he did not mention Russia though.  I wonder what his position on the Ukraine war is?

A neutral one. I'd say he realises that the Ukraine war is regional, and is none of Thailand's business. 

[CANSIAM]

Stop asking for F-35's,  your in China's grasp.............

[RandiRona]

17 hours ago, ThaiFelix said:

You have explained it all so well.  It is clear from history thats its so much safer to side with the Chinese.  The US has bombed and waged war extensively through this area......has the Chinese?

CCP(not Chinese) when it comes to attacking other countries is no saint. When it comes to military escalations, it comes down to intent, capability and execution. Chinese always intend to expand their territory but lacked capability and execution. Now they have developed both so that is the reason all south China sea countries are intimidated by rise of China. China attacked Vietname, Soviet Union, India, Taiwan, Mongolia in last 70 years and wont hesitate to do it again if not of US and allies standing against it. Best is to stay Neutral and dont facilitated CCP. Below is Chinese adventurism in their neighbourhood.

 

 

According to the list of Chinese wars and battles ¹, some of the wars that China fought from 1950 till 2023 are:

- The Korean War (1950–1953), in which China supported North Korea against South Korea and its UN allies, led by the United States. The war ended with a ceasefire and a demilitarized zone along the 38th parallel. ¹
- The First and Second Taiwan Strait Crises (1954–1955 and 1958), in which China attempted to assert its sovereignty over Taiwan, which was controlled by the Republic of China government that fled the mainland after losing the Chinese Civil War. The crises were resolved with US intervention and a ceasefire. ¹
- The Sino-Indian War (1962), in which China clashed with India over a disputed Himalayan border. China captured some Indian territory before declaring a ceasefire and withdrawing its troops. ¹
- The Vietnam War (1965–1969), in which China provided military and economic aid to North Vietnam and its communist allies against South Vietnam and its US-led allies. China also sent some troops to help defend North Vietnam from US bombing raids. China withdrew its forces after the US began to scale down its involvement in the war. ¹
- The Sino-Soviet Border Conflict (1969), in which China and the Soviet Union engaged in several skirmishes along their shared border over territorial and ideological disputes. The conflict was de-escalated with diplomatic talks and a border agreement in 1991. ¹
- The Sino-Vietnamese War (1979), in which China launched a punitive invasion of Vietnam to punish it for overthrowing the Khmer Rouge regime in Cambodia, which was allied with China. The war lasted for about a month and both sides claimed victory. China withdrew its troops but continued to support the anti-Vietnamese resistance in Cambodia until 1989. ¹
- The Sino-Vietnamese Conflicts (1979–1991), in which China and Vietnam had several border clashes and naval incidents over their disputed territories and maritime rights. China also occupied some reefs in the Spratly Islands after a skirmish with Vietnam in 1988. The conflicts ended with the normalization of relations between the two countries after the 1990 Chengdu summit. ¹

Source: Conversation with Bing, 4/23/2023
(1) List of Chinese wars and battles - Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Chinese_wars_and_battles.
(2) List of wars involving the People's Republic of China - Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_wars_involving_the_People's_Republic_of_China.
(3) Timeline: U.S.-China Relations - Council on Foreign Relations. https://www.cfr.org/timeline/us-china-relations.

[jacko45k]

19 hours ago, ThaiFelix said:

You have explained it all so well.  It is clear from history thats its so much safer to side with the Chinese.  The US has bombed and waged war extensively through this area......has the Chinese?

Maybe not if you are from  Ladakh, Tibet, Korea, Vietnam.... Taiwan lives in fear,

[zzaa09]

On 4/21/2023 at 10:30 AM, Pedrogaz said:

Easy, dump the US and throw your lot in with China.

The most logical for the future. 

[ThaiFelix]

6 hours ago, RandiRona said:

CCP(not Chinese) when it comes to attacking other countries is no saint. When it comes to military escalations, it comes down to intent, capability and execution. Chinese always intend to expand their territory but lacked capability and execution. Now they have developed both so that is the reason all south China sea countries are intimidated by rise of China. China attacked Vietname, Soviet Union, India, Taiwan, Mongolia in last 70 years and wont hesitate to do it again if not of US and allies standing against it. Best is to stay Neutral and dont facilitated CCP. Below is Chinese adventurism in their neighbourhood.

 

 

According to the list of Chinese wars and battles ¹, some of the wars that China fought from 1950 till 2023 are:

- The Korean War (1950–1953), in which China supported North Korea against South Korea and its UN allies, led by the United States. The war ended with a ceasefire and a demilitarized zone along the 38th parallel. ¹
- The First and Second Taiwan Strait Crises (1954–1955 and 1958), in which China attempted to assert its sovereignty over Taiwan, which was controlled by the Republic of China government that fled the mainland after losing the Chinese Civil War. The crises were resolved with US intervention and a ceasefire. ¹
- The Sino-Indian War (1962), in which China clashed with India over a disputed Himalayan border. China captured some Indian territory before declaring a ceasefire and withdrawing its troops. ¹
- The Vietnam War (1965–1969), in which China provided military and economic aid to North Vietnam and its communist allies against South Vietnam and its US-led allies. China also sent some troops to help defend North Vietnam from US bombing raids. China withdrew its forces after the US began to scale down its involvement in the war. ¹
- The Sino-Soviet Border Conflict (1969), in which China and the Soviet Union engaged in several skirmishes along their shared border over territorial and ideological disputes. The conflict was de-escalated with diplomatic talks and a border agreement in 1991. ¹
- The Sino-Vietnamese War (1979), in which China launched a punitive invasion of Vietnam to punish it for overthrowing the Khmer Rouge regime in Cambodia, which was allied with China. The war lasted for about a month and both sides claimed victory. China withdrew its troops but continued to support the anti-Vietnamese resistance in Cambodia until 1989. ¹
- The Sino-Vietnamese Conflicts (1979–1991), in which China and Vietnam had several border clashes and naval incidents over their disputed territories and maritime rights. China also occupied some reefs in the Spratly Islands after a skirmish with Vietnam in 1988. The conflicts ended with the normalization of relations between the two countries after the 1990 Chengdu summit. ¹

Source: Conversation with Bing, 4/23/2023
(1) List of Chinese wars and battles - Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Chinese_wars_and_battles.
(2) List of wars involving the People's Republic of China - Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_wars_involving_the_People's_Republic_of_China.
(3) Timeline: U.S.-China Relations - Council on Foreign Relations. https://www.cfr.org/timeline/us-china-relations.

Yes indeed lots of evidence there to keep well away from any US "assistance",,  Thank you.

[ThaiFelix]

4 hours ago, jacko45k said:

Maybe not if you are from  Ladakh, Tibet, Korea, Vietnam.... Taiwan lives in fear,

Lol, possibly but still Infinitesimal compared to the US's interference around the world.

[ozimoron]

On 4/23/2023 at 1:13 PM, sidneybear said:

Thailand should stay neutral, and politely ignore the US if the latter expects Thailand to take sides.

 

Thailand and China handle diplomacy much better than the US does.

Should they buy Chinese submarines or US fighter jets? Or neither?

[ozimoron]

4 hours ago, zzaa09 said:

The most logical for the future. 

Why not India, tipped to become more populous than China this year and ultimately a stronger economy due to China's aging population as a result of it's one child policy.

[chalawaan]

Without ever going past the headline.

 

Damn right! And when the chips fall, any Thai government choose America. Remember, they have a Monarchy to protect from the Red Menace!

 

Beijing will, from time to time, throw the rattle out the pram, but they dare not "punish" Thailand.

 

In fact all the histrionics are just that from now on. They have worn out their global welcome, and need every friend they can get.

 

 

We tried to love them into democracy, and that is just abused.

 

We will eventually have to deal with them like we dealt with the Nazis.

 

Whatever happens, they won't rule the world. 

 

The entire place is literally collapsing in slow motion already. 

[jacko45k]

3 hours ago, ThaiFelix said:

Lol, possibly but still Infinitesimal compared to the US's interference around the world.

China hasn't really got going yet..... not far out of peasantry.

[sidneybear]

6 hours ago, ozimoron said:

Should they buy Chinese submarines or US fighter jets? Or neither?

Chinese may actually make a lot more sense, which will happen after a polite and diplomatic pause, as the reality of the US' foreign wars all ending in adject defeat and humiliation finally sinks in. Like it or lump it, the US is a spent force, and China is poised to take over the entire region. 

[chalawaan]

On 4/23/2023 at 1:13 PM, sidneybear said:

Thailand should stay neutral, and politely ignore the US if the latter expects Thailand to take sides.

 

Thailand and China handle diplomacy much better than the US does.

They're both world class bullshippers, if that's what you mean! It's hard to dispute that. 

[sscc]

9 hours ago, ozimoron said:

Should they buy Chinese submarines or US fighter jets? Or neither?

 A made-in-China warship had just been delivered to Thailand a week or so ago. 

Presume you have not  bother reading Non-Western media and/or Non-English language media,  so you are not aware.