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BURNING ISSUE
Govt's tilt toward China a move to guarantee stability
WIRAJ SRIPONG
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- THE BOOST in Sino-Thai military cooperation may lead to a change in the attitude of Thai military officers - who have always clung to the US military model - to the Chinese one.

The Thai military, which is now pulling strings in the politics of the Kingdom, might want to learn from China on how to control social order and prevent unrest against it, said Dulyapak Preecharushh, lecturer in Southeast Asian Studies at Thammasat University.

Observers suggest that foreign policies under the military government of Prayut Chan-o-cha have tilted towards China.

Dulyapak said three important factors had led Thailand to move closer to China: the May 22 coup and the anti-coup movements, the rise of China, and the geographic proximity between Thailand and China.

"The first factor was the coup that led to the pressure of Western countries - notably the US and European countries - on Thailand. Thailand, consequently, bent to the Chinese side to counter-balance the power of the West as the Chinese did not interfere in internal politics," said the lecturer from Thammasat University.

"The second was the concern of [current] Thai political cadres and security agencies who perceived the anti-coup groups and their network to be too close to Western countries and disturbing security order as well as the process of national harmony. Cooperating with China, thus, was a way to preserve and guarantee [the government's] political stability," Dulyapak said.

"The third was the geographical proximity and the rise of China as a major economic power. This includes China's effort to expand [its sphere of economic] influence and its penetration into the Asean market to realise the "string-of-pearls strategy" that covers the Indian and Pacific oceans. This new economic dynamism is leading the Thai government to seek more rapprochement with China due to its weak economic engagement with the US in the region," explained Dulyapak.

The engagement or gradual decrease in the intensity of Sino-Thai relations may occur at any time, depending on the domestic and global context, he said.

Meanwhile, Anusorn Chaiaksornwet, a political scientist at Walailak University, said Thailand's current policy orientation as [purposely seeking] rapprochement with China was a response to pressure from the Western allies - notably the United States and European countries.

This could be perceived as an intention from the Kingdom to focus on countries like China and Russia to demonstrate that the choice for Thailand to interact with foreign countries was not limited only to Western countries, he said.

Anusorn also noted that it was a matter of circumstances that put Thailand in this situation.

"It is crucial to bear in mind that the country is not in a normal situation. Therefore, there are not many alternatives as compared to the situation under an elected government. The government should be equipped with short-and long term strategies for the relationship of Thailand and the major powers," he said.

"There are many agencies involved in the making of foreign policy such as the foreign ministry, the National Security Council and the Cabinet," Anusorn added.

"Political cadres should be more cautious about the impact of this short-term reaction. They should pay more attention to what state officials suggested. Bureaucratic process may be slow, but it would allow the government to have more room to manoeuvre.

"In other words, the government could use this opportunity to distance itself from international pressure, taking its time to formulate policy that helps to avoid any diplomatic faux pas," said Anusorn.

As for the repatriation of the 109 Uighur refugees to China, Anusorn said it would require time to regain confidence on this issue. "The government should put more emphasis on principled diplomacy that underpins respect for international norms of human rights," added the lecturer from Walailak.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/Govts-tilt-toward-China-a-move-to-guarantee-stabil-30267348.html


-- The Nation 2015-08-25

[davehowden]

Seems like a bad time to be "getting closer" to China?

[tbthailand]

in WW II it was a military government which led to "closer ties" with Japan...

[aussieinthailand]

Reading only the headline, getting closer to China, now? OK well they have great cyber intel apparently.

The Yuan, no, falling, manipulated, backed by gold not fiat but still no'p but latter maybe,

the military, no comparison to US or Russia, or the French,

But hey they can do things cheap, and cheap usually means what for quality? Hmmm bullet trains built by China, No thanks, Japan no worries

The land of fake everything, the land where a pork bun is half pork and half cardboard.

But it comes as no surprise now under the current leadership

[Reigntax]

Governments always lean towards those countries that have similar intentions and you wouldnt consider this government has the intellegence to see just how bad the future may be.

[clockman]

In Thailand, anybody who is anybody. Is Sino Thai.

[BSJ]

The question is now: Not will it burst but when???

Stock up on ammo, food, medicine and water.

[Roadman]

The main reason should be the "rise of China" or more accurately the rise of the more affluent Chinese middle class.

The Chinese stock exchange adjustment that has been occurring for some time is long overdue as Chinese investors with their new found wealth were propping up false share prices just for the choice of being in the market and having somewhere to stick their money. Mum and dad Wong can all afford that adjustment without to much hurt for their desire for better world and local products.

The big losers in the Chinese slow down are the raw materials suppliers and that has certainly hurt Aussie with mineral ores, wood fibre etc and sections of New Zealand with logs and high grade coal.

However consumption in China for quality and staple imported food and goods is still fine. The Chinese economy even with this slow down and adjustment off unreal heights will be still preforming at a rate that the rest of us can only have wet dreams about.

Naturally Thailand like the rest of us should be busting their asses to get access to the Chinese middle class and their money.

Edited August 25, 2015 by Roadman

[Prbkk]

Reading only the headline, getting closer to China, now? OK well they have great cyber intel apparently.

The Yuan, no, falling, manipulated, backed by gold not fiat but still no'p but latter maybe,

the military, no comparison to US or Russia, or the French,

But hey they can do things cheap, and cheap usually means what for quality? Hmmm bullet trains built by China, No thanks, Japan no worries

The land of fake everything, the land where a pork bun is half pork and half cardboard.

But it comes as no surprise now under the current leadership

Is it surprising? Many Thai businessmen would feel a natural affinity with a system that permitted the addition of chemicals to dairy products resulting in serious illness to tens of thousand of Chinese babies , including 100 deaths. Look for every opportunity to make a dollar, no matter the human cost. They do the same to the poor and vulnerable at home. Slave labour and migrant workers is the icing on the cake.

[chainarong]

You make your bed Thailand you lay in it , but don't expect any sympathy if it all goes ar!se up .

[chainarong]

In Thailand, anybody who is anybody. Is Sino Thai.

Same goes for Singapore and Malaysia.

[MZurf]

"The Thai military, which is now pulling strings in the politics of the Kingdom, might want to learn from China on how to control social order and prevent unrest against it, said Dulyapak Preecharushh, lecturer in Southeast Asian Studies at Thammasat University."

Now, there's a scary prediction. But, of course, it does not matter if the generals turn LOS into a mini China as long as the reds are prevented from getting back in power, right cheerleaders???

[HenryB]

Seems like a bad time to be "getting closer" to China?

I do not understand it seems to me China does not have a pot to pee in. Only worthless American Bonds

Oh well

[Srikcir]

"might want to learn from China on how to control social order and prevent unrest against it"

Didn't see that in the Junta's roadmap to democracy. Must be a detour - one for the next 30 years?

[NCC1701A]

so he wants to be like the reds to stop the reds?

and good luck with turning Facebook off in Thailand...

[bassman]

Reading only the headline, getting closer to China, now? OK well they have great cyber intel apparently.

The Yuan, no, falling, manipulated, backed by gold not fiat but still no'p but latter maybe,

the military, no comparison to US or Russia, or the French,

But hey they can do things cheap, and cheap usually means what for quality? Hmmm bullet trains built by China, No thanks, Japan no worries

The land of fake everything, the land where a pork bun is half pork and half cardboard.

But it comes as no surprise now under the current leadership

Is it surprising? Many Thai businessmen would feel a natural affinity with a system that permitted the addition of chemicals to dairy products resulting in serious illness to tens of thousand of Chinese babies , including 100 deaths. Look for every opportunity to make a dollar, no matter the human cost. They do the same to the poor and vulnerable at home. Slave labour and migrant workers is the icing on the cake.

"The net worth of the 70 richest delegates in China’s National People’s Congress, which opens its annual session on March 5, rose to 565.8 billion yuan ($89.8 billion) in 2011, a gain of $11.5 billion from 2010, according to figures from the Hurun Report, which tracks the country’s wealthy. That compares to the $7.5 billion net worth of all 660 top officials in the three branches of the U.S. government." http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2012-02-26/china-s-billionaire-lawmakers-make-u-s-peers-look-like-paupers

Not a bad model for a country ruled by the elite to follow. Should work out real well with all the mega billion infrastructure work coming soon.

[Thai at Heart]

"The Thai military, which is now pulling strings in the politics of the Kingdom, might want to learn from China on how to control social order and prevent unrest against it, said Dulyapak Preecharushh, lecturer in Southeast Asian Studies at Thammasat University."

Now, there's a scary prediction. But, of course, it does not matter if the generals turn LOS into a mini China as long as the reds are prevented from getting back in power, right cheerleaders???

They've been maintaining order for 70 years. They have lots of guns and have been happy to use it. They monitor the Internet relentlessly for lese majeste.

They probably could teach China a thing or two actually.

[diehard60]

Stability???? Their economy is in collapse mode right now. If Thailand keeps going to them the Thai economy will end up the same. But that is ok for me because there will be more Baht to the dollar. YEA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Oziex1]

Oh dear more bombs, anyone.

[Kannikapor88]

Do thais know the meaning of a "House of Cards" ... ?

Seems like Thailands Junta is choosing their Allies now ... Be careful as it will be extremely difficult to reverse it ...

[JakeSully]

You'd think if they would want to follow anyone's example in the region, they'd follow India.. the biggest democracy in the world that does not have bombs going on due to opposition of political views. Not only that they export how many doctors and engineers and managers and economists.