Greater RECIPROCITY needed in Thai-Chinese relations

[webfact]

EDITORIAL
Greater RECIPROCITY needed in Thai-Chinese relations

TOMORROW MARKS THE 40TH ANNIVERSARY OF OUR RENEWED DIPLOMATIC FRIENDSHIP, YET WE REMAIN VERY MUCH THE JUNIOR PARTNER

BANGKOK: --It would be prudent for Thais in every sector to do more than merely toast tomorrow's 40th anniversary of Thai-Chinese diplomatic relations. We should also look into the future and determine how to improve on the mutual benefits stemming from that association and how to make them more equitable.

When Thailand re-established diplomatic engagement with Beijing in 1975, it was a bold step for a "junior" Asian state in whose distant past, as Siam, China had required the payment of regular tributes. In 1975 the People's Republic of China badly needed international recognition. Much of the world - and many elite people in Bangkok - regarded communism as an overt threat. Chairman Mao Zedong was to be shunned, not accommodated.

But Thai Prime Minister MR Kukrit Pramoj understood that the best way to contain a rival's potential for ill intent was to become friends with him. Mao asked Kukrit outright when they met in Beijing that year whether he feared communism. Kukrit replied that he had come to meet as friends, and that he had long admired the chairman.

He was less diplomatic on his return home, pointing out to critics that the reason he'd chosen MR Kasemsamosorn Kasemsri as Thailand's first modern ambassador to China was because he was of royal blood and thus would never kowtow to the anti-monarchy communists.

Four decades later, China has shown Thailand repeatedly that its friendship is valuable and appreciated. Beijing in turn has always been ready to help in times of need and proved to be of significant aid to Southeast Asia during the Cambodian civil war.

There were disruptions in the friendliness, notably in the wake of the massacre of Thammasat University students in 1976 by militantly anti-communist gunmen, and after a Thai policy shift aimed at ending the

Cambodian conflict in the early 1990s, which left China bristling.

Ultimately Beijing accepted such setbacks in an ever-changing world and, with the death of Mao and the end of the Cold War, adjusted its own policies accordingly. The 21st century is truly the century of China, the gravitational force of its economy irresistible. It has become the globe's second-largest economy due to the foresight and guidance of its leaders, who have also fostered political and military alterations to meet the challenges of a new era. The "One Belt One Road" programme inaugurated two years ago embraces two channels to global trade - over land along the ancient Silk Road to Europe and by sea to Southeast Asia, the Indian Subcontinent, the Middle East and Africa. Financial institutions and other agencies have been established to facilitate trade along these routes.

Chinese factories can produce almost everything the country needs and keep much of the world stocked as well. Every consumer item used in our daily lives here in Thailand has at least some form of connection to China. When China and Thailand re-launched good relations 40 years ago, we were using only a few of its products, memorably a fountain pen. Now there are Haier television sets, not of the same quality as their counterparts from Japan and South Korea but a foot in the market nonetheless. By the same token we find ourselves mulling China's Lenovo computer, smartphones - and high-speed railway system.

Due to China's economic triumph and its increasing political and military power, perceptions of Chinese leaders have changed, as have their perceptions of the rest of the world. What remains important is to further enhance Thailand's position in Chinese eyes, as more than just a minor trading partner and a tourist destination. China is important to Thailand, but we need to make Thailand more important to China.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/opinion/Greater-RECIPROCITY-needed-in-Thai-Chinese-relatio-30263397.html


-- The Nation 2015-06-30

[BSJ]

The wife had to buy some items in the agricultural supplies shop yesterday. Not much made in Thailand in there! Not much known brands either. Yamaha stationary engines was about it!

Yes, Thailand is the Junior partner and will remain so long after I go up the chimney at the Wat!

[englishoak]

Thailand has nothing China needs or wants, Important as in just more business and land to buy up or into then yes.

[chainarong]

Thailand, un-like many other countries that have learned to their disadvantage China isn't the nice guy image it likes to portray, however with the Prayut-O transparency Government to Government Chinese projects, that will now all change on how Thailand conducts business , China now is becoming a firm favourite with the big banana's in Thailand at the expense of the west, exactly what China want, I would watch my back in dealing directly at government level, Thailand could get burned big time and end up with no friends at all.

[quandow]

It took you FORTY YEARS to realize these guys don't play fair?

Soom noom na!

[bangon04]

"Pattaya Police are currently searching for a gang of 10 men, thought to be from Macau, who are alleged to have attacked a group of 5 Thai men outside of a popular North Pattaya Discotheque in the early hours of Monday."

10 on 5? Seems like reciprocity to me....

[FangFerang]

Thailand has nothing China needs or wants, Important as in just more business and land to buy up or into then yes.

That isn't true. As reported in the BP yesterday, last year saw trade exports from Thailand and imports from China to be a 4:5 ratio.

Not bad at all Thailand.

[BritTim]

Thailand has nothing China needs or wants, Important as in just more business and land to buy up or into then yes.

Thailand's strength is in agriculture. There is a market for some Thai food products in China. It is also a nice holiday destination for Chinese tourists. Other than that, you are right that Thailand has little to offer China. China would buy Thai land if that was an option.The law prohibits t. As it is, there is limited participation by some Chinese investors in condo developments.

It is amazing to note that the undeveloped Thailand of the 1970s was still more developed than China at that time. Look at the turnaround since!

[Srikcir]

"improve on the mutual benefits stemming from that association"

How about a roadmap to communism?

The Junta is already half way there with its own mini-politburo and suppression of Thai rights and liberties.

[awayego]

Posted this on another thread this morning (legalising casinos) but it's relevant here too.

Well at least it would appeal to the current TAT target demographic - the Chinese, who must be about the biggest gamblers in the world.

Bringing even more 'quality' Chinese tourists to Thailand spending all their winnings so freely in Thailand (NOT!).

Thailand will soon come to regret putting so many of its 'eggs' in one Chinese 'basket' - always going cap-in-hand to their Chinese masters who will control so much of the Thai economy through indebtedness.

Reciprocity will never be a two way thing - it will always be a one-way street, all the way to China, with Thailand becoming ever more dependent and increasingly the weaker 'partner'.

[Tomtomtom69]

Thailand has nothing China needs or wants, Important as in just more business and land to buy up or into then yes.

Well it does produce some tropical fruit that China wants to buy. Including mangosteen, durian, jackfruit and coconuts that can't be produced locally.

[Tomtomtom69]

Thailand has nothing China needs or wants, Important as in just more business and land to buy up or into then yes.

Thailand's strength is in agriculture. There is a market for some Thai food products in China. It is also a nice holiday destination for Chinese tourists. Other than that, you are right that Thailand has little to offer China. China would buy Thai land if that was an option.The law prohibits t. As it is, there is limited participation by some Chinese investors in condo developments.

It is amazing to note that the undeveloped Thailand of the 1970s was still more developed than China at that time. Look at the turnaround since!

You're right, the transformation in China has been nothing short of amazing. Whereas just 15 years ago there were very few cars on Chinese roads (and those few you saw were mostly driven by chaffeurs on behalf of their rich owners), nowadays not only do most Chinese drive themselves (except perhaps the ultra rich), China has become the world's largest automotive market.

While Thailand is still stuck in the same sort of level of development and with similar living standards as 10-15 years ago, China is looking more and more modern and developed, with Shanghai being more modern than most western cities.

Anyway, while we're on this topic of needing greater reciprocity why didn't the author mention the obvious areas where Thais are getting screwed by China while Chinese come out as the winners?

Some of these are:

Thai cars can't enter China, except if they make arrangements through a Chinese based travel agent months in advance of their trip and pay through the nose for the privilege, while requiring a guide to accompany them at all times while driving in China.

Chinese cars can simply enter Thailand without advance notice and there is no requirement to have a guide with them.

Thais require a visa in advance to enter China and proof of outbound travel, hotel reservations and possibly other documents. Chinese can simply fly to Thailand and avail themselves of the 15-day visa on arrival simply by showing a return or onward airline ticket. Having said that, China generally doesn't let it's citizens fly to a foreign country without a visa of that country in their passport, unless travelling from a third country where this doesn't apply. Or they can simply apply for a 60-day visa with no special requirements and few documents required.

Just 2 of the everyday situations where Thais are at a disadvantage when compared to their Chinese counterparts.

[Thai at Heart]

Hoho. U can't own a company, u can't own land as an individual in Thailand. Quite what reciprocity would they like China to give them?

The right to own land? Not even Chinese private citizens can do that in China.

[Tassie Norm]

Buying ( virtually useless) submarines from China - quid pro quo for proposed railroad?

[metisdead]

Please use discretion in your references to the government. Phrases which can be considered as anti-coup will be removed. Referring to Thailand or the government as a dictatorship, military dictatorship or other such terms will be removed.

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/769792-notice-to-members-posting-in-thailand-news/

[Nick167]

The ethnic thais need to wake up before this country becomes a vassal state of China. Already the thai -chinese have messed up the country and are exploiting the country and the people to their benefits. Thais have to contend with their agricultural prices being low as a result of a flood of cheaper chinese garbage.

[toybits]

Do you see those Blue License plates on the streets? Yes? Those are Chinese vehicles that crossed the border into Thailand. What about Thai vehicles going to China. Are there many? No. Thai vehicle owners have to make a hefty security deposit at the border. It seems the Chinese have made it so difficult for Thais to take their cars into China. Why?

[Tomtomtom69]

Do you see those Blue License plates on the streets? Yes? Those are Chinese vehicles that crossed the border into Thailand. What about Thai vehicles going to China. Are there many? No. Thai vehicle owners have to make a hefty security deposit at the border. It seems the Chinese have made it so difficult for Thais to take their cars into China. Why?

Not for much longer. Starting May 23rd, Chinese cars will require permission to enter Thailand and then can only travel in the border province entered. Must return through the same border crossing, even if that border crossing has more than one international crossing (for example, Chiang Rai).

No more convoys, unless accompanied by a guide and police escort.

No more motorhomes at all. And reportedly no more motorcycles either (not that there were many of these in the past, though I did see 2 Chinese plated motorcycles in Bangkok with Beijing plates during CNY!!!)

[Bluespunk]

When dealing with the Chinese government it is recommended you do not forget your long spoon.

[NickJ]

Discount Prawn Buffet......

[tubby johnson]

Reciprocity is not in the Chinese dictionary.

Instead refer to grab, exploit and bully.

[NongKhaiKid]

Two nations where face is all important so which of them will have to give way the most ?

It won't be China.

[LawrenceChee]

I don't think the Chinese are doing anything different from the Americans or EU powers when they negotiate with a country that is of a lower ranking

[LannaGuy]

"Junior Partner"? I say that's not quite right is it? I mean "Junior Partner" seems to imply Thailand is not 'leading the world' in fact not the HUB of the world? that's damned cheeky of China I'd say!!!!

China beware Thailand cured the world of Ebola! reformed the Lottery! reduced Songkran road kill! arrested tourists for no shirts! 'nearly' bought your subs!!!

How dare suggest Thailand is a 'Junior' Partner! in fact Thailand has recently re-engineered it's women citizens as 'Unwrapped Candy'

[lkv]

"we need to make Thailand more important to China."

This is how this beautiful editorial in The Nation ends.

I agree with other posters, the key is to discount the shrimp buffets and legalize the casinos.

[LawrenceChee]

60 million vs 1.3 billion and they are holding the keys to the dams for water needed for agriculture this season

I don't believe Laos and Cambodia has any issues with the term junior partners they need the water

As for the Thais ....it's a little more hi-so but yes they still need the water