Strategic Diplomacy in Thailand-China Relations
Analyzing the Belt and Road Initiative's Impact on Bilateral Ties
Keywords:
Belt and Road Initiative, Impact, policyAbstract
The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is a Chinese initiative aimed at promoting economic, trade, and infrastructure connectivity among various countries worldwide. Thailand is one of the countries affected by this initiative. Therefore, this research aims to analyze Thailand’s strategic diplomatic responses to the BRI, assesses its economic, political, and security impacts on Thailand–China bilateral relations, and proposes policy recommendations to maximize national benefits. The qualitative research collected data from academic documents, research papers, articles, conference summaries, and various media sources
The study found that under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), Thailand has adopted a strategic diplomacy framework to safeguard its national interests, consisting of four main approaches: (1) geopolitical balancing, by maintaining strong relations with China while cooperating with other major powers; (2) economic diplomacy, through promoting trade, investment, and large-scale infrastructure, using economic cooperation as a bargaining tool; (3) innovation diplomacy, via public–private partnerships (PPP) and support for technology and innovation to enhance project value; and (4) cultural and social diplomacy, to foster mutual understanding and trust among peoples. The BRI impacts Thailand’s economy, politics, and security. Policy recommendations include ensuring investment transparency with accountable mechanisms and public participation, implementing strict environmental measures and promoting clean technology, diversifying economic risks through broader trade cooperation, and maintaining balanced international relations to prevent geopolitical conflicts.
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