"Entrenching Authoritarian Rule And Thailand's Foreign Policy Dilemma As A Middle Power" - By CWP Alum Enze Han

Recent Thai governments, whether authoritarian or democratically elected, have maintained amicable relations with Beijing while retaining close military cooperation with Washington. However, domestic political dynamics within Thailand are critical to the past and future trajectory of Thailand’s bilateral relations with the U.S. and China. Bangkok’s reversion toward authoritarian military rule over the past few years has created a different logic in its foreign relations. For the U.S., Thailand’s authoritarian turn, although not to Washington’s liking, can be tolerated as long as Thailand continues to serve U.S. strategic interests in the region. For China, cordial relations with the incumbent military government of Thailand pave the way for closer economic and political relations, yet anti-authoritarian sentiment within Thailand holds China liable and condemns China’s complicity in Thailand’s turn to military rule. Thus, balancing Thailand’s domestic political dynamic with the foreign policy interests of the U.S. and China is the defining feature of Bangkok’s maneuvering act between the two great powers.

Han, Enze. Asia Policy; Seattle Vol. 17, Iss. 4,  (Oct 2022): 181-198. https://www.nbr.org/publication/entrenching-authoritarian-rule-and-thailands-foreign-policy-dilemma-as-a-middle-power/

Enze Han is an Associate Professor at the Department of Politics and Public Administration at the University of Hong Kong (China).

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