The Role of Neutrality and Thailand's Military Policy in the Strategic Competition of Major Powers in the Indo-Pacific Region
Keywords:
Neutrality, Role , Military Policy, Competition, Indo-PacificAbstract
The purpose of this research is to study the role of neutrality and Thailand's military policy in the strategic competition of major powers in the Indo-Pacific region. This study aims to: investigate the role of Thailand in the Great Power Competition in the Indo-Pacific Region; analyze Thailand's military policies in the context of this competition; and evaluate the potential challenges and future trends regarding Thailand's neutrality and military strategies in the Indo-Pacific Region. To achieve its objectives, this research presents a comprehensive analysis of Thailand's diplomatic engagements and military strategies in the Indo-Pacific region. Primary data was collected through interviews with key policymakers and military officials in Thailand. Secondary data is gathered from academic journals, government reports, and relevant publications to provide a holistic understanding of Thailand's position in the great power competition. Thailand's neutrality in the Indo-Pacific Region enables it to act as a diplomatic mediator between major powers while avoiding direct entanglement in strategic rivalries. The country's military policies emphasize defense modernization, joint exercises with regional partners, and participation in peacekeeping missions to enhance its capabilities and promote regional security. Challenges faced by Thailand include balancing relationships with competing powers and adapting to the evolving geopolitical landscape. Future trends suggest a continued focus on neutrality and cooperation to navigate the complexities of the Indo-Pacific strategic environment successfully.
References
Chachavalpongpun, P. (2017). Thailand’s New Role: Mediating Between China and The United States East Asia Forum. Retrieved July 10, 2023, from https://www.eastasiaforum.org/2017/08/11/a-new-role-for-thailand-mediating-Between-china-and-the-us/.
Chachavalpongpun, P. (2020, February). Economic Diplomacy and Regional Integration: Thailand's Role in The Indo-Pacific Power Competition. Journal of International Relations, 4(1), 45-70.
Charoenloet, V. (2019, July). Thailand's Role in The Indo-Pacific Region: Balancing Between China and The United States. Journal of Asian Politics & Policy, 11(1), 69-84.
Charoensuthipan, P. (2015, April). Thailand’s Strategic Culture and Foreign Policy Behavior. Journal of Southeast Asian Studies, 46(2), 217-236.
Chen, Y. (2022, June). "Indo-Pacific" and Its Inherent Tension from The Perspective of Classic Geopolitical Theory. Journal of Northeast Asia Forum, 31(02), 66-80.
Chirathivat, S. (2019, January). Thailand's Defense Policy and Regional Security Dynamics in The Indo-Pacific. Journal of Military Studies, 89,1-20.
Chongkittavorn, K. (2014, February). Thailand's Military Modernization and Regional Security Dynamics. Journal of Southeast Asian Studies, 45(2), 345-362.
Fravel, M.T. (2018, April). Offensive Defense: China's Military Strategy Since 2010. Princeton: Princeton University Press.
Johnson, D. (2019, July). Thailand's Strategic Position in The Indo-Pacific Region. Asian Security, 15(2), 174-194.
Jones, D. (2018, April). Power Transition Theory and The Rise of China. Journal of Asia Pacific International Relations, 18(3), 475-503.
Jones, M. (2018, July). Modernizing the Thai Army: An Assessment. Journal Of Military and Strategic Studies, 20(2), 1-22.
Kaewkamnerd, N. (2019). Neutrality and Strategic Competition: Thailand's Role in The Indo-Pacific. Asian Security Studies Quarterly. Bangkok: (n.p.)
Li, F. (2017, December). Analysis of Opportunities for China’s Economic Cooperation Under The Background of The “One Belt, One Road” Strategy. Journal Shopping Mall Modernization, 36(18), 7-8.
Na Phuket, R. (2018), The Strait of Malacca and Thailand's Strategic Positioning in The Indo-Pacific, 102.
Pongsudhirak, T. (2019, January). Neutrality and Non-Aligned Movement: Thailand's Foreign Policy in the Indo-Pacific Era. Asian Politics Review, 12(1), 34-45.
Pongsudhirak, T. (2021, February). Thailand's Foreign Policy in the Indo-Pacific: Challenges and Opportunities. Journal of Asian Security and International Affairs, 3(2), 145-163.
RuiKan, S. (2013, January). The United States’ New Strategy of Returning to The Asia-Pacific and India’s Policy Choices. Journal South Asia Research Quarter, 152(1), 27-30.
Sirivunnabood, P. (2019). Thailand's Military Policy in the Indo-Pacific Region. Institute of Security and International Studies.
Shen, Y. (2014, August). The Historical Causes of American Hegemony and Its Actical Problems. Journal of the Pacific, 22(12), 59-98.
Smith, M. (2017, April). Thai Nonalignment: Balancing the United States and China. Asian Affairs, 48(2), 191-208.
Srisai, S. (2020, May). Thailand's Geopolitical Significance in the Indo-Pacific Region. Journal of International Relations, 13(2), 34.
Suwanwela, C. (1998, January). Thailand's Foreign Policy: A Neutrality That Works. The Washington Quarterly, 21(1), 251-267.
Wang, X. (2016, April). The Impact of The US "Indo-Pacific" Strategy on The South China Sea Issue, Focusing on the Fulcrum Countries of The "Indo-Pacific" Strategy. Journal Southeast Asian Studies, 46(5), 49-60.
Watcharachaisit. (2020, January). Thailand's Strategic Ambiguity in The Indo-Pacific
Region. Journal of Southeast Asian Studies, 51(1), 4-18.
Yuan, X. (2014, August). Analysis of the National Strategic “One Belt One Road” Construction. Around Southeast Asia, 34(8), 3-8.
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
