Kriengsak Chareonwongsak Thailand’s own internal, tumultuous agenda

Thailand’s own internal, tumultuous agenda

 Despite the fact that Thailand’s foreign policy aims to preserve cordial relations with Burma, in practice, it has been at times ignored. Chartichai Choonhavan’s government emphasized congenial relations with other Indo-Chinese countries but not Burma. Later on, Banharn Silpa-Acha’s government encouraged investment in Burma. However, this policy was short lived when the Silpa-Acha government was overthrown in a vote of non-confidence.
The relationship between the two countries was strained even further during the second Chuan Leekpai’s administration when the government took a particularly tough stance against drug smuggling and border infringements. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned human rights violations in Burma and enforced the repatriation of illegal workers from Burma in both the ASEAN and global arenas – stances that both irked Burma. As a result, during the Chuan Leekpai’s administration, the number of confrontations with Burma increased.

The continued failure to implement a congenial relations policy has fostered a sense of mutual mistrust between the two countries and has therefore  hindered the process of nurturing positive reciprocal relations.
If the tumultuous agendas in either Burma or Thailand are not obliterated, the conventional approach that Thailand has been taking over the past 30 years will fail to create a congenial relationship. Consequently, a radically new approach must be taken.

A sustainable solution: View Burma as a strategic economic partner 
By placing economic issues at the forefront, Thailand could re-vitalize its relationship with Burma. The starting point would be to identify Burma as a “strategic economic partner”. Thailand’s concern over its relationship with Burma should take high precedence, perhaps even over relations with many other nations, because of the shared borders of the two nations.
At present, Burma has begun the process of liberalizing its economy. The Burmese government is also endeavoring to elevate the national image to attract foreign investors. Thus, now could be Thailand’s golden opportunity to forge economic links with Burma.
If Burma responds to Thailand’s economic overtures, it could help to heal the diplomatic gaps between the two nations. Healthy economic relations could help pave the way for negotiations on other issues. For example, tension over illegal drugs could diminish as better economic conditions provide better education and employment opportunities for the people. The furor over illegal Burmese workers in Thailand could abate as more Burmese find jobs in their own country.

At the same time, Thais will benefit from increased sources of industrial raw materials and new investment opportunities in industries with cheap labor.

In the long term, all will benefit. Thailand, Burma and the world community will benefit from increased democracy in Burma. As economic conditions improve, the growth of a middle class and increasing awareness of global issues would automatically enhance democratic values within the society. Thus, by fostering economic relations with Burma, Thailand could be inadvertently helping to gradually nurture democracy within Burmese society.
Promoting economic relations with Burma is a win-win scenario. However, seeing the fruit of this policy may require some patience. The results of such a policy will not only be sustained economic benefit to Thailand, it will help to enhance democracy with one of our valued neighbors.

Professor Dr Kriengsak Chareonwongsak
Executive Director, Institute of Future Studies for Development (IFD)
 kriengsak@kriengsak.com, http://www.ifd.or.th