Move Forward’s foreign policy raises concerns about US leverage in Thailand

[webfact]

 

Concerns over potential US influence on politics in Thailand arose after the Move Forward party announced its foreign policy, aiming to ‘’Revive, Rebalance, Recalibrate’’ in the hope of having more impact on international stage.

 

Among conspiracy theories and rumours, Thai local media quoted a social media post by a former Thai Ambassador to Buenos Aires, claiming that Move Forward’s first move is to reach an agreement with US to establish a military base in Thailand. The former ambassador is known to oppose many of the Move Forward’s policies.

 

The claim was denied immediately by the US Embassy in Thailand and Move Forward. The spokesperson of US Embassy, Nicole Fox, stressed that United States does not have a military base in Thailand and there is no discussion about establishing one.

 

‘’Rebalance’’ is not pragmatic

 

One of Move Forward’s ‘’3Rs’’, Rebalance, epitomises Pita’s determination to regain balance between US and China, in terms of economic linkage and security. It is idealistic and not pragmatic, according to Associate Professor Dr. Somjai Phagaphasvivat. 

 

Dr. Somjai, an independent political and economic analyst, said that Thailand has been forcibly and voluntarily close to China since China established an organic link with the ASEAN and Thailand in terms of intertwined economic cooperation, including a bilateral free trade area, ASEAN+1, RCEP and Mekong Sub regional Cooperation.

 

Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/move-forwards-foreign-policy-raises-concerns-about-us-leverage-in-thailand/

 

-- © Copyright Thai PBS 2023-06-05

 

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[hotchilli]

4 hours ago, webfact said:

Among conspiracy theories and rumours,

Of which there are hundreds.... getting rather boring now.

[xtrnuno41]

The old way Americans died or are dying, now there is another thought in the new Americans, not really to be happy about.

You wan to do business with Goldman Sachs? They killed Greece.

There are way more other cases on which I scratch my head. But that said, China is the same. 

[cncltd1973]

the US is looking for countries other than China to manufacture goods. the blatant and systemic corruption can be overlooked if the demand is great enough - and it has been. but is thailand politically stable enough to invest in on a larger scale? Indonesia and Vietnam might be safer?...

[billd766]

Why would I need to believe a social media post by a former Thai Ambassador to Buenos Aires, claiming that Move Forward’s first move is to reach an agreement with US to establish a military base in Thailand? The former ambassador is known to oppose many of the Move Forward’s policies.

 

Even if they did it, is no business of the former ambassador. He is not in government, not in any position of power at all and has only 1 vote.

 

If he was the leader of a political party that gained millions of votes and was a leading contender in forming a new government, then I would be interested in what he has to say.

 

But he isn't and never will be.