Thailand’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Sihasak Phuangketkeow, urged a return to multilateralism on Thursday warning that the global rules-based order is fracturing.
Speaking from Bangkok, he said that as superpower competition intensifies, nations must seek collaborative stability rather than attempting to manage geopolitical crises alone.
The call for renewed international cooperation comes as Thailand manages a delicate balancing act between the United States and China. While both nations are vital partners, Sihasak said that Thailand avoids being forced into binary alliances. “We ask our friends not to force us to take sides,” he told euronews, noting that “not taking sides does not mean being neutral as sometimes neutrality does not serve your interest.”
This diplomatic positioning is rooted in Thailand’s economic reality. As a nation serving a regional market of 700 million people, Bangkok views itself as a “geopolitically safe zone.” The strategy relies on maintaining stability to protect both Chinese investment in the electric vehicle sector and the U.S. role in regional security architecture.
| Strategic Partner | Primary Engagement Area | Objective |
|---|---|---|
| China | Electric Vehicle (EV) Manufacturing | Economic growth and supply chain integration |
| United States | Regional Security and Defense | Stability and maritime security |
| ASEAN | Pan-Asian Diplomatic Framework | Collective regional autonomy |
The emphasis on the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) serves as the primary mechanism for this policy. Sihasak argued that the bloc remains the essential vehicle for ensuring pan-Asian stability. By prioritizing regional consensus, Thailand seeks to insulate itself from the volatility of the broader global contestation between superpowers.
The diplomatic agenda also includes addressing regional friction points. Sihasak confirmed that Thailand is currently working to rebuild ties with Cambodia. He also defended a gradual return to regional talks regarding the situation in Myanmar, preferring inclusive diplomacy over isolationist measures.
“We live in a world where we see the rules-based international order breaking down,” Sihasak said, explaining why the country is pushing for a shift back toward collaborative frameworks. He maintains that the complexity of modern trade and security requirements means that “nobody can go it alone.”
By resisting pressure to align exclusively with either Washington or Beijing, the government aims to keep its ports and markets open to both.
The success of this strategy remains dependent on the cohesion of ASEAN. If the bloc fails to maintain a unified voice in the face of external pressure, Thailand’s “safe zone” status could be tested. For now, the administration in Bangkok is prioritizing these regional channels as the safest route to protect its long-term economic and security interests.
