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The International Relations and Global Affairs (IRGA) program of Mahidol University International College (MUIC) held a special talk on “Thai Foreign Policy: Past, Present and Future” featuring former Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya.
Held on January 24, 2024 at Charinyarasami Hall in Aditayathorn Building, the former Foreign Minister—who served from 2009 to 2011 under the administration of former Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva—gave his personal take on major Thai and regional issues including Thailand’s relations with Myanmar amidst the ongoing civil war there, the proposed land bridge project and Thailand’s relations with the US and China.
Claiming that his statements are his own and not the official government line, former Foreign Minister Kasit said he advocates for Thailand using a multilateral approach to the civil war in Myanmar by working closely with ASEAN and support its Five-Point Consensus. The Thai government, he added, should address the humanitarian crisis by opening its border with Myanmar and allow refugees into Thailand.
Regarding the proposed “Land Bridge” project of the current Thai government, he said the latter should undertake more studies and initiate more discussions on the pros and cons of this 1-trillion Baht mega-project, saying that it will greatly impact the forests and farm lands, local communities, and the maritime environment, among others. He also expressed doubts on whether the Land Bridge project could really provide a major alternative to the current Malacca Strait trade route between Asia and the Middle East and Europe, a factor that can affect the number of investors to the project.
Another issue discussed was the looming confrontation between the United States, the lone global superpower, and emerging superpower China. Even as he acknowledged the booming trade relations between Thailand and China, former Foreign Minister Kasit said the Thai government must seriously consider the coercive tactics of China, emphasizing the need to stay close with the United States, its long-time ally, for security purposes.
