Thailand's Foreign Policy-making Towards Myanmar Since 1988: The Reflection from the Business Sector's Roles

Abstract

      This paper examined the roles of Thai business sector on Thailand's policy towards Myanmar since 1988 and illustrated their bargaining power with the state and, to some extent, their networking with the state and the political sphere. From the study, it appeared that their roles in Thailand's foreign policy-making process and policy implementation derived from the mutual benefits between the state and the business sector. It is also found that the business sector monitored Thailand's bilateral economic relationship with Myanmar mainly through business associations, particularly, the Provincial Chambers of Commerce (PCC) in the border provinces and the Thai Chamber of Commerce (TCC), or the PCC top body through various means; state co-option, six PCC cooperative committees, JPPCC mechanism, direct participation in politics, and direct dialogue with the Myanmar authority.