SURVEY: Is it in Thailand's interest to be closely aligned with China?

[Scott]

Recent news reports would indicate that Thailand is moving toward closer ties with China and moving away from ties with western countries. In your opinion is this move toward closer ties with China politically a good idea or a bad idea in the long run?

Please feel free to vote and to make a comment on the subject.

[Credo]

Most western countries don't pay much attention to the petulant nature of Thailand and it's politics, but aligning itself with China will result in an air of active mistrust.

It's a big mistake.

[oneday]

Sure it's in their interest, until China drops the hammer years from now or...

they drop tiny, tiny little hammers over such a long period of time Thailand won't even have a clue what is happening until it's too late.

[canuckamuck]

"Welcome to my parlour", said the spider to the fly.

[janpharma]

Thai would be shocked when they see Chinese working...

[Oziex1]

At the end of the day where does the loyalty of Chinese Thais lay?

They are the rulers of the country are they not?

[BarnicaleBob]

Being too close to China could cause some repercussions with Thailand's fellow ASEAN partners. Not only in trade but also political, as even now China is flexing it's power in the South China Sea causing a lot of disharmony with most of the other ASEAN nations (Vietnam, Philippians, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Brunei).

[jim s]

I think that the ASEAN Alliance is more threatening to Thailand than China. Once the doors open to forgiven trade and employment, Thailand will become overwhelmed with Alliance members competing for Thai jobs and industry exports.

[wabothai]

Looking at the proximety to China I would say they will probably be better off.

Think that opportunism of Thailand will prevail.

Short term: they are better off to do some learning from the west, certainly

not China.

[elgordo38]

At the end of the day where does the loyalty of Chinese Thais lay?

They are the rulers of the country are they not?

Smart man.

Anyone who has ever lived in China knows that any Chinese person living in any other country whatsoever is referred to as an "overseas Chinese", meaning that they are always Chinese no matter where they live at that time. Even 2nd or 3rd generation are viewed this way. Certainly the party views them this way. They run this country and most others as well. They have been working towards this for as long as I can remember. All they are waiting for is the right story that can be put across that Thailand was always part of China throughout history. (probably true).

If you think the Thais are thugs and standover merchants then you have got to see the Chinese at work if they think there is a dollar in it.

They will enslave the Thais over a very short period and they will do it by loaning them unpayable money. The Thais will jump at what they see is easy money from the stupid Chinese. After all, haven't they be doing it for a century from the stupid falang.

Yes they will no doubt pull another Russian Crimea and state that there are many Chinese living in Thailand that want to realign with the motherland. Game over. The whole world is polarizing. It will consist of 3 or 4 groups in the future Asian, European, Western, and Persian.

[winstonc]

who cares i dont the yanks do though no matter what they say we dont like that coup general but no sanctions.because we may need you to park a carrier or 2..

[h90]

They should be equal friendly with everyone

[Brit_Doggie]

Understandable seeing as china has become one of the leading super powers over recent years.

[Griffo63]

In a perverse way having closer links to China will encourage the West, most notably US, to up their interest and involvement too. One of the last things the Americans, in particular, is other countries getting closer to China.

[Shaunduhpostman]

Does Thailand really have a choice at the end of the day?

[Oziex1]

Does Thailand really have a choice at the end of the day?

Yes it does it can embrace the west it can learn from Singapore, Korea and Japan and it can get it's bloody act together.

As Jeremy Clarkson would say, how hard can it be!

[lovelomsak]

Can never have to many friends. The 21st century is Asians century so best to side with the big boy do you not think. He will come and get it no matter what. Better to start now dividing up the spoils.

[Oziex1]

Can never have to many friends. The 21st century is Asians century so best to side with the big boy do you not think. He will come and get it no matter what. Better to start now dividing up the spoils.

The west is not finished yet, it just needs to get over the PC shit.

[Costas2008]

Do not kid yourselves posters.

Thailand will never go away from the USA.

This is a political game being played by this government, to remind the USA that although we are friends, do respect us or there are other trees bearing fruits on this earth.

Also do not kid yourselves thinking that the government can do whatever they want.

This is a Kingdom and the head of the state is the Monarch.

So let them play around and see who will believe them and who don't.

Time will show.

[tonbridgebrit]

Do not kid yourselves posters.

Thailand will never go away from the USA.

This is a political game being played by this government, to remind the USA that although we are friends, do respect us or there are other trees bearing fruits on this earth.

Also do not kid yourselves thinking that the government can do whatever they want.

This is a Kingdom and the head of the state is the Monarch.

So let them play around and see who will believe them and who don't.

Time will show.

So, all this talk about how Thailand is drifting away from America and Europe, it's all nonsense ? It's only in our imagination that Thailand is becoming more and more aligned with China (and Russia), and drifting away from the West ??

[sgtsabai]

A little read from the US on the move by Thailand to China's bedroom. It is couched in diplomatic terms, there are some in the US that understand "foot in mouth disease". http://www.stripes.com/news/china-lurks-as-us-ties-with-thailand-splinter-military-experts-say-1.339510

[Mcffee]

If China refuses to join ASEAN why should they have close ties then?

[tonbridgebrit]

Does Thailand really have a choice at the end of the day?

Well, if Thailand was to have elections, then, Thailand would be back in with West. That way, Thailand won't have to be so closely aligned to China, and China only.

Now, if elections don't happen, then, the West will carry on refusing to have full links with Thailand, and Thailand will become more and more aligned to China.

[JOC]

If China refuses to join ASEAN why should they have close ties then?

May I suggest, you do a little research on ASEAN and report back..................

[lovelomsak]

Can never have to many friends. The 21st century is Asians century so best to side with the big boy do you not think. He will come and get it no matter what. Better to start now dividing up the spoils.

The west is not finished yet, it just needs to get over the PC shit.

You are right the west isnot finished yet but this is only 2015 we have 85 years to go. The proof will be in the pudding.

[kimamey]

Do not kid yourselves posters.

Thailand will never go away from the USA.

This is a political game being played by this government, to remind the USA that although we are friends, do respect us or there are other trees bearing fruits on this earth.

Also do not kid yourselves thinking that the government can do whatever they want.

This is a Kingdom and the head of the state is the Monarch.

So let them play around and see who will believe them and who don't.

Time will show.

There maybe some truth there. Who knows what will happen after an election.

As for the monarchy we can't say too much. What I will say is that in Thailand as it is in the UK, the strength of the monarchy is related to the strength of the monarch. That relationship is important. That's why the monarchies in Thailand and the UK are strong now.

Edited April 13, 2015 by kimamey

[tonbridgebrit]

If China refuses to join ASEAN why should they have close ties then?

China is a big enough economy to survive by itself. It doesn't need to join ASEAN. The individual ASEAN countries are too small to survive on their own. That's why they must join up as a group or club, even though they might not like each other. Bit like the European Union.

But Thailand is unique. ASEAN must have Thailand, because Thailand is the bit of land seperating Burma, Cambodia and Laos. Any union between Cambodia, Burma and Laos must include Thailand. It's because Thailand is in the centre or middle of it. How can them three countries trade if they don't use Thailand's roads and railways ?

And Thailand can use itself as the launch-pad of the Chinese take-over of ASEAN. Other ASEAN countries like Vietnam and the Philipines don't actually like China that much. But China can have full access to these countries through Thailand. Once the Chinese goods have been transported to Thailand, then, they can be 'exported' easily to the other ASEAN countries. And Thailand stands to benefit by being the launch-pad of the Chinese goods into ASEAN.

[issanaus]

I get the impression that Thailand is not so much moving away from the west as normalising its relationships in accordance with its national interests based on geography, economics and cultural ties.

This impression was reinforced on Monday when I had the opportunity to observe and have a conversation with His Excellency, Chirachai Punkrasin the newly appointed Ambassador to Australia. Thailand has appointed a very high quality person to this position which reflects the importance that it places on Thai/Australia relations. I have to be honest and say I was very impressed by him.

[MaxLee]

A step towards communism control,... so hell no!!!!!!!

[JohnnyJazz]

Thais have so much to learn from the Chineses. And they know it. It's the Thais who encouraged the immigration and the integration of the Chineses in Thailand. It worked too well as the Chineses became Thais and lost their cultural edge. Fortunately the trend is now for Thai of Chinese origin to rediscover their roots and their heritage and we can expect even closer and deeper links with the Mainland.