Military Policy and Reaction of Thailand on Strategic Competitive of United State of America and People Republic Of China on Indo-Pacific Region

Abstract

The geography of the Indo-Pacific Region  is an area for fighting for leadership resulting in  a complex relationship between states. Alliances  are made to determine a cooperation framework.  It is necessary for Thailand to adjust strategies to be in consonance with situations. There are both opportunities and challenges for Thailand to determine its roles and appropriate reactions.

The study shows that Thailand needs to operate its military strategy policy as a balancing  military strategy by maintaining an appropriate balance for the nation’s benefits. The model used is that Thailand is located in a supportive geography. It is the center of connections and the core in ASEAN for an expansion of a military cooperation framework to countries  of superpower. Thailand can combine forces with ASEAN neighbors and expand military relations with India and the Russian Republic to foster bargaining benefits. Meanwhile, it needs to build various relationships as well as maintain a friendly status in order not to be an enemy of either party. Independence must be practiced with closeness but with space in between. Military cooperation must be expanded in the aspect of joint and combined exercises.  

Military diplomacy must be conducted  to be impartial although being pressured to take  a side. It should work as a bridge to connect  the relationship between the United States of  America (the US) and the People’s Republic  of China (China). Intimacy shown must not create  dissatisfaction with either the US or China. In other  words, Thailand does not want either party to  see Thailand as unfriendly but rather as being  appropriately impartial on the global stage and the regional stage. Space must be maintained without being an instrument for the resistance of the other party. A side will not be taken and policy will not be slanted to one side or the other. Intimacy may be with China but the US must be close as well. The weight cannot be on either side. Maintenance of balance in this manner may result in not getting benefits from any side as it should have been. However, the country will not be greatly pressured from any side which may lead to advantages or disadvantages. This is not easy to conduct but it is necessary for the stability of the country and its own benefits.