Thailand Should Help Settle Regional Sea Disputes

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BURNING ISSUE

Thailand should help settle regional sea disputes

Supalak Ganjanakhundee

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- It may not have been a slip of the tongue when Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra said in New York last week that she would try a "woman's touch" to help resolve the ongoing conflict in the South China Sea. The Thai Prime Minister has a reputation for choosing the wrong word and making verbal gaffes, but this time it was unlikely.

Policy makers for Thailand's foreign affairs need to think about her phrase seriously, not just because our female prime minister said something that might raise eyebrows in the diplomatic world. Thailand, as a country, does indeed have a chance to play a significant role in conflict resolution.

It is difficult to spell out the exact meaning of the term "woman's touch" Yingluck used at the Asia Society. It could mean many things. It could mean the PM would play a role in mediating the peace process in the South China Sea. Or it could mean that Thailand would use a woman's common sense as a diplomatic way to work on the issue. This womanly sense or nature could mean generous, soft, flexible and compromising. But this may be interpreted more clearly later if Thailand really wants to get involved.

Conflict in the South China Sea, notably between China and the Philippines and Vietnam - has not been on Thailand's foreign policy radar screen for a long time. Many policymakers in Bangkok might believe the issue is too far away from Thai interests.

However the issue is not distant anymore. The dispute in Phnom Penh that stopped Asean foreign ministers from issuing a joint communique after their meeting in July, was an alarm bell that warned members something needs to be done, otherwise the conflict will spill over into the group.

The ministerial meeting of Asean foreign ministers failed to build a consensus on the way to address specific incidents between China and the Philippines over the Scarborough Shoal - as well as China and Vietnam on an exclusive economic zone and the continental shelf. Cambodia, as the current chair of the group, offered no smart exit. Many members expressed disappointment over the role of the chair. And that ill feeling could develop into a dispute between members and Phnom Penh for as long as the issue remains unsolved.

Leaders of Asean will gather next month in the Cambodian capital again for their summit. There remains no guarantee that such a failure will happen again during the summit. As a member of Asean, Thailand should not sit still.

Furthermore, Thailand is now a coordinator for China and Asean. Like it or not, the country needs to carry on the uphill task of helping relations run smoothly. Of course, the South China Sea may not be the only issue in relations between Asean and China. But the conflict could overshadow other facets of relations if it cannot be contained.

In a normal situation, the coordinator of the group and China could simply do routine jobs, but this time is different. The coordinator may need more ambition to play a role or to offer a smart exit in ongoing disputes. If Thailand can play a key role this time, Asean's ambition to have a code of conduct over the South China Sea with China would be more possible.

It's time for Thailand, whose international role has declined for a long time due to internal strife, to play some role to restore its status, credit and reputation by seeking resolution of conflicts in the South China Sea.

-- The Nation 2012-10-03

[asiawatcher]

Okay, maybe a good point and will certainly get her some brownie points in politics. She is not a bad stick, just inexperienced and being manipulated by her brother. I guess given time she could actually work out but she does not have freedom of ability to actually do the job she has been empowered with. Mediating a settlement for the SCS could actually boost that and also help Thailand with trade. Go for it.

[WilliaminBKK]

Thailand should run from this dispute - be Switzerland, you don't want to piss China off backing the Philippines - the Philippines are close allies of the US let them be the voice or reason/power. Vietnam & China will always support each other.

If there are any brownie points it would be domestic only - if you want the honey don't kick the beehive.

[Thai at Heart]

So who should help with phraer viharm?

[DocN]

Sorry, but...Thailand should shut the <<snip>> up and care for its own problems. There are more than enough here!

Edited October 3, 2012 by metisdead

[chainarong]

Thailand should stay away , let the big guns battle it out, Thailand will end up with egg on its face, Thailand is not known for its mega international negotiations, Thailand should just remain as a neutral Hub.

[chainarong]

Thailand should run from this dispute - be Switzerland, you don't want to piss China off backing the Philippines - the Philippines are close allies of the US let them be the voice or reason/power. Vietnam & China will always support each other.

If there are any brownie points it would be domestic only - if you want the honey don't kick the beehive.

Hate to spoil your parade Vietnam hates China

[abhaya]

"Vietnam & China will always support each other" No way.

[Mosha]

Thailand should run from this dispute - be Switzerland, you don't want to piss China off backing the Philippines - the Philippines are close allies of the US let them be the voice or reason/power. Vietnam & China will always support each other.

If there are any brownie points it would be domestic only - if you want the honey don't kick the beehive.

I very much doubt it. Vietnam and China have been banging heads for a thousand years

[Baerboxer]

Would China care in the slightest what Yingluck or her relatives in government think? She has more than enough problems at home to occupy her full attention.

[ggold]

Okay, maybe a good point and will certainly get her some brownie points in politics. She is not a bad stick, just inexperienced and being manipulated by her brother. I guess given time she could actually work out but she does not have freedom of ability to actually do the job she has been empowered with. Mediating a settlement for the SCS could actually boost that and also help Thailand with trade. Go for it.

It should be remembered that she would not be PM if it were not for her brother. But seriously when a nation can't even resolve its own issues, what chance do they have of mediating in international disputes?

Thailand is not the Hub or reason.

Sent from my GT-P6200 using Thaivisa Connect App

[Halion]

I fail to see any logic in Thailand and the Prime Minister in particular getting involved in such issues.

Thailand has an inherient history of being incapable of resolving even the most basic of issues on it's own doorstep so venturing outside of it's own domestic disasters provides nothing of value for Thailand except perhaps a few junket trips from its leaders.

[ballpoint]

Great idea. Send Weng, Jatuporn and Vera to negotiate, and if they don't get the response they want then burn the islands down. She does make a valid point regarding a "woman's touch" though. After all, that has proved extremely effective in sorting out issues over disputed islands in the past.

[Dr Robert]

Appeasement of Chinese hegemonic and imperialistic intent is fraught with disaster. It is not for this country to make placatory and simpering comments which give the strong arm tactics of a nation on a war footing, leverage. This is a development

reminiscent of Germany in the 1920"s -remember Poland? Take heed of history and the lessons learned. Every country must stand tall and strong against this development and stare down this threat to peace and stability in our region.

Money is not as important as peace.

[Dr Robert]

...and what is the price of freedom?

[Mosha]

Thailand should run from this dispute - be Switzerland, you don't want to piss China off backing the Philippines - the Philippines are close allies of the US let them be the voice or reason/power. Vietnam & China will always support each other.

If there are any brownie points it would be domestic only - if you want the honey don't kick the beehive.

You should watch a movie documentary titled "The fog of war" If the USA had been aware of the local situation the, The Vietnamese war would have stayed a local event. The Viet Cong in their minds were fighting for independence,

[Sing_Sling]

Thailand should run from this dispute - be Switzerland, you don't want to piss China off backing the Philippines - the Philippines are close allies of the US let them be the voice or reason/power. Vietnam & China will always support each other.

If there are any brownie points it would be domestic only - if you want the honey don't kick the beehive.

Vietnam and China will always support each other??? Are you mad?

You should read up some history on the 'differences these two have . . . oh, and they are at odds over territory in the South China Sea

[Bagwan]

She thinks that she can sort out problems in the South China Sea? How about resolving the quarrel with Cambodia over a heap of rubble masquerading as a historic temple first?

[brianP]

As much as i disliked President Carter admin., I must admit as diplomat and arbitrator, the guy kicked ass, and still pulls one off occasionally.

Politicians can be an effective tool in these matters, not much else though.