News Forum - Thailand’s nonpartisan stance sensible in China-US Cold War

[Thaiger]

Thailand yesterday was urged to maintain its neutrality as tensions between the globe’s two economic giants, China and the United States, continue to gather pace. Thailand last week was criticized for maintaining a neutral stance regarding the Russia-Ukraine conflict as the West continues to impose sanctions on the former Soviet state. The kingdom has been also condemned in the past for its close economic ties with China. But Thailand was praised by experts yesterday for its nonpartisan stance at a seminar titled “Asia-Pacific Regions’ Challenges and Development” amid emerging geopolitical tensions between China and the US. Director Chulalongkorn University’s Asean […]

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[joseph]

Thailand has never been neutral. It's for sale. I hope they manage to keep saying they have never been colonized and not allow China's OBOR.  

[Thaidup]

1 hour ago, joseph said:

Thailand has never been neutral. It's for sale. I hope they manage to keep saying they have never been colonized and not allow China's OBOR.  

Lets put some perspective to that statement,

What would it be in Thailand's interest to not remain neutral?

Has Thailand ever been "colonized"?

Is the OBOR a benefit to Thailand?

[Thaidup]

8 hours ago, joseph said:

Thailand has never been neutral.

Did you not know that King Mongkut of Siam in 1861 offered the president of the 34 states of America 2 Elelephants?

https://www.foxnews.com/world/lincoln-to-thai-king-thanks-but-no-thanks-for-the-elephants

[Cabra]

When It comes to geopolitics, Thailand is neither classically neutral nor partisan. I would characterize them more like "everybody's buddy" (except historically the Burmese). But don't for a minute think that if the chips were down that they wouldn't line up 100% with the Chinese. It's not called the Indochina peninsula for nothing. And why wouldn't they. They'd be foolish otherwise. 

[Mudshark]

2 hours ago, Cabra said:

I would characterize them more like "everybody's buddy" (except historically the Burmese)

They used the Burmese; AKA 'The Bad Guys', for nation building for most of the 20th century. After 1988, when revolts roiled Burma/Myanmar, that changed. Money was to be made from the General Ne Win. Suddenly they pulled a 180 degree turn, Myanmar. the Burmese were not the bad guys, they were fellow SEAsians, put upon by nasty westerners with their human rights mumbo jumbo. Chavalit knew just how easy it was to manipulate the Thai masses. And he made another fortune or two, giving economic and diplomatic Help to Ne win as the General smashed the malcontents.  

BTW Thailand has not been impartial in the Russian war on the Ukraine either. They copied China and pretended to be neutral while not. Now they put out PR about impartiality & neutrality, good for tourists and tourism. I doubt it fools countries that deal with them though.

[Fanta]

1 minute ago, Mudshark said:

BTW Thailand has not been impartial in the Russian war on the Ukraine either. They copied China and pretended to be neutral while not

In what way has Thailand not been neutral in regards to the war?