Thai-Us Relations in Terms of Politics and Security: Impact of the 2014 Thai Coup D'État "

Abstract

Abstract
Thai–US relations in terms of politics and security after the Thai 2014 coup d'état is drawing
great attention among international-relations academics and scholars since before the incident occurred in 2014, the two countries had been enjoying their close ties in all dimensions especially in terms of security cooperation. The Thai 2014 coup d'état forced The United States to lower relationship with Thailand due to some domestic restrictions including laws that prevent the U.S. from closely engaging with any country whose leader comes from coup d'état and American values that the U.S. has to protect. Nonetheless, despite those restrictions, the U.S. has still tried to not lower but maintain relationship with Thailand because Thailand is an old ally the U.S. needs to keep in order to compete with China who has been emerging as another world’s great power with great influence in Asia-Pacific region. This study aims to investigate and identify the significant problems of the relations between Thailand and the United States following the Thai coup d'état in May 2014, increase understanding of the impact of the identified problems on Thailand particularly in both short and long terms as well as identify factors which have affected relationship between Thailand and the United States after the Thai coup d'état in May 2014. The analysis will be based on relevant theory. The first-hand data will be collected from variousin-depth interviews with Thai high-ranking officers who are au-fait with Thai-US ties. Key informants were critical for the success of this research because they also suggested sources of supporting evidence and initiate the access to such sources. The second-hand data will come from documents and useful sources. This research will also propose some practical and meaningful foreign policies to be implemented by the respective relevant authorities for improved relations between Thailand and the United States.

Keywords: International relations, Thai-Us relations, Coup d'état