Experts say Thailand’s foreign policy needs to be reviewed

[webfact]

Thailand’s foreign policy over the past nine years, under former Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha’s administration, dubbed “quiet diplomacy” by former foreign minister Don Pramudwinai, is irrelevant amid current geopolitical rivalries and complexities and needs to be reviewed, according to the opinions of experts in Thai foreign policy.

 

In a recent interview with Thai PBS, former permanent secretary at the foreign ministry Sihasak Phuangketkeow said that Thailand has faded from the radar of international diplomacy over the past several years, because of a passive foreign policy which lacks direction, as manifested in its approach to the military junta in Myanmar, which came under heavy criticism from western governments and international human rights organisations.

 

He also noted that the ASEAN five-point consensus towards Myanmar has failed to convince the junta there to end its crackdown on pro-democracy groups and to negotiate a peaceful settlement.

 

TOP: Thailand’s Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin arrives at Beijing Capital International Airport to attend the Third Belt and Road Forum in Beijing on October 16, 2023. (Photo by TINGSHU WANG / POOL / AFP)

 

Full story: Thai PBS 2023-10-23

 

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[Skeptic7]

Ya think❗❓ Kissin' Chinese and "FRussian" ass is hardly a good look. 💋

[2baht]

3 hours ago, webfact said:

In a recent interview with Thai PBS, former permanent secretary at the foreign ministry Sihasak Phuangketkeow said that Thailand has faded from the radar of international diplomacy over the past several years, because of a passive foreign policy which lacks direction, as manifested in its approach to the military junta in Myanmar, which came under heavy criticism from western governments and international human rights organisations.

The PM has new friends, the Czar Putin and Emperor Xi! With friends like these, who needs enemies! 

[hotchilli]

3 hours ago, webfact said:

Thailand has faded from the radar of international diplomacy over the past several years, because of a passive foreign policy which lacks direction, as manifested in its approach to the military junta in Myanmar, which came under heavy criticism from western governments and international human rights organisations.

 

We all know why that was.

However Srettha will stay passive and not take any sides, as Thailand needs to keep economic trade ties with as many countries as possible.

Coming off the fence will not help Thailand.

[Hakuna Matata]

Are those "experts" from the White House?

[ikke1959]

In a country that don't want changes and stays in the past it is normal that they are going backwarths and we see it as the friends are Russia, Myanmar, China, and so the countries that also control their people in keeping their mind shut and follow orders from the Government.. Renewal and openminded must be implemented first and freedom of press and than other countries start to talk again with Thailand... Now they know it has no effect as Thailand will not going forward  

[arithai12]

Define "experts".

[RanongCat]

15 minutes ago, arithai12 said:

Define "experts".

The dribble at the end

[Asquith Production]

44 minutes ago, 2baht said:

The PM has new friends, the Czar Putin and Emperor Xi! With friends like these, who needs enemies! 

Well. Putin is also big mates with North Korea so I suppose Thailand will have to be as well.

[nobodysfriend]

4 hours ago, webfact said:

a passive foreign policy which lacks direction, as manifested in its approach to the military junta in Myanmar,

Myanmar junta is a murderous , unelected regime .

Clear condemnation by Thailand would have led to more international ' respect ' for Thailand .

They did not do this , they preferred the ' diplomatic ' bla bla ...

Sometimes , a little action is needed .

[mfd101]

If you look at it from a 'Western' point of view, then there is much to criticize in Thailand's weak-kneed on the one hand this/on the other hand that approach to just about everything.

 

On the other hand, when you're as weak & incompetent as Thai governments and society have long been, what choice do they really have? Best to just keep everyone happy as we creep thru the undergrowth.

 

 

[daveAustin]

43 minutes ago, Hakuna Matata said:

Are those "experts" from the White House?

Thai. It’s in the article. 

[daveAustin]

Experts say Thailand’s foreign policy needs to be reviewed
 

The whole darn government needs to be reviewed, preferably shelved. 

[bamnutsak]

Srettha seems to have also assumed the role of Minister of Foreign Affairs.

 

 

I mean it's no worse than the clown show that preceded him, but still.

 

 

 

[Muhendis]

1 hour ago, 2baht said:

With friends like these, who needs enemies!

Minor correction:

 

"With friends like these, who needs enemas"

[MikeandDow]

2 hours ago, mfd101 said:

If you look at it from a 'Western' point of view, then there is much to criticize in Thailand's weak-kneed on the one hand this/on the other hand that approach to just about everything.

 

On the other hand, when you're as weak & incompetent as Thai governments and society have long been, what choice do they really have? Best to just keep everyone happy as we creep thru the undergrowth.

 

 

it only took 5 hrs to subjugate Thailand by the japanese

[Srikcir]

7 hours ago, webfact said:

irrelevant amid current geopolitical rivalries

Start by immediately closing the North Korean embassy in Thailand, particularly with NK's mikitary support to Russia in its attempted conquest of Ukraine and the war crimes committed against Ukrainian citizens.

[retarius]

Respectfully I disagree. Thailand should pick a side here and throw its lot in with China, Russia and BRICS+. De-dollarise and become independent. No need to listen to a bunch of biased and paid morons, experts and pundits.

[Morch]

What foreign policy?

[Srikcir]

1 hour ago, Morch said:

What foreign policy?

Whatever it takes to keep foreign currency incoming to Thailand.

[Will B Good]

I'd have to agree.

 

The two pronged approach of either kowtowing to war criminals or sitting on the fence can't cover all the nuanced requirements of modern day foreign policy 

[Yellowtail]

Ah yes, the "experts"

[Mavideol]

it's all much of the same same blablabla.... the new "unelected" PM and other "unelected" bureaucrats recently made their foreign policies clear and their alliances to which type of governance

[trainman34014]

Give me a break; they can't even decide Internal Policy properly !

[jacko45k]

On 10/23/2023 at 12:58 PM, Srikcir said:

Whatever it takes to keep foreign currency incoming to Thailand.

That'll be tarts then!

[zzaa09]

Much more practical and reasonable for those same expert analysis and reviews to be directed at domestic policies, which have been heavily tainted and suspect over the last couple of generations. 

 

Need to get our house in order, firstly, before exploring deeper foreign policy concerns.

 

I suspect that such "expert" scholarly or political circles have turned the usual blind eye.

[phetphet]

On 10/23/2023 at 6:53 AM, 2baht said:

The PM has new friends, the Czar Putin and Emperor Xi! With friends like these, who needs enemies! 

My eyes are getting bad. I read that last bit as "who needs engines?"

[freeworld]

On 10/23/2023 at 1:06 PM, Yellowtail said:

Ah yes, the "experts"

Yes all the armchair AN members hiding behind their keyboards dishing out their daily drivel, those who ran away from their home countries to live in Thailand and are now critical of the place they chose to live in.

[Yellowtail]

4 hours ago, freeworld said:

Yes all the armchair AN members hiding behind their keyboards dishing out their daily drivel, those who ran away from their home countries to live in Thailand and are now critical of the place they chose to live in.

Get a grip Homer, I was not being critical of Thailand, I was being critical of "experts" everywhere. 

 

I did not "run away" from my home country, I was transferred here for work. You? 

[Brickleberry]

On 10/23/2023 at 7:09 AM, hotchilli said:

We all know why that was.

However Srettha will stay passive and not take any sides, as Thailand needs to keep economic trade ties with as many countries as possible.

Coming off the fence will not help Thailand.

 

Srettha is a man without conviction, no spine and a PM without a mandate. As useful as a chocolate teapot.