ASEAN Defense: Cambodia neutralizes Thais from ASEAN on China’s Pacific move

/ July 23, 2012

Thai China close security operation on the Mekong River

  • By Stingray, Thai Intel’s national security journalist

In ASEAN, when it comes to diplomacy, traditionally there is two country to watch-Thailand and Cambodia.

  • Thailand is well-known for its “Snake-Like Diplomacy” playing global powers off against each other to benefit Thailand. Cambodia meanwhile, is a master of playing the “Poor Developing Country” card, to global press.

At the height of a recent ASEAN meeting in Cambodia, Cambodia scuttled all “Hawkish” attempt by ASEAN to make a statement on China’s “Pacific Expansionism.”

That Cambodian move, is the latest test of the “Balance of Powers” inside ASEAN-where the result, “A No Statement on China” is reported globally, as a major failure for ASEAN diplomacy.

That “Balance of Power” inside ASEAN, pitches “China Hawks” Indonesia, Vietnam and Philippines against “China Doves” Cambodia, Laos and Burma.

  • Thailand as an ally of both China and USA, was poised to play a “Pivotal Role.”

But the news in Thailand, in practically every press, turned to report on the Thai Cambodian relations-mentioning little about the wider situation at the Cambodian ASEAN meet.

  • The Thai Cambodian relation is a highly complex one, that pitches internal Thai and Cambodian politics against each other.

Indeed, inside Thailand, the nationalist continues to see Cambodia as a threat where Yingluck and Thaksin are close to Cambodia. And indeed, inside Cambodia, many Cambodians sees Thailand, with Yingluck or Thaksin matter little, as the aggressor against Cambodian interest-with the Phra Vihear relics area, the flash point of conflict.

  • Thus as Cambodia went protecting China’s interest in the Pacific, Cambodia also replaced its soldiers with police, along the Phra Vihear relics-in a move, to up-hold the World Court ruling to “Demilitarize the Area.”

That move by Cambodia, put the Thai defense establishment on alert, as a Cambodian move ahead of next year permanent ruling by the World Court on the Phra Vihear relics-sparking Thailand to rush its own demilitarized move by replacing soldiers, also with police, such as Cambodia did.

That initial move by Cambodia, on the Phra Vihear relics area, perhaps, quieted Thailand’s diplomatic mission at the Cambodian ASEAN meeting-where both Hillary and Yingluck were present.

Indeed, of all the global news on the “Division” inside ASEAN on China, there was utterly nothing from Thailand, on China’s “Pacific Expansion.”

Yet as Thailand remained silent the Cambodia ASEAN meeting, here in Thailand, there was more movements to “Patch Up” Thai China relations, with local news reporting on progress made in a case involving the attack of Chinese cargo barges on the Mekong river-with evidence pointing to some rogue Thai soldiers that attacked the cargo barge and killed about eleven Chinese sailors.

Thailand, off course, even without the Thai Cambodian situation, is a country that is close to China, economically and culturally. That close tie with the Chinese, have outraged the USA defense establishment, that is trying to forge a closer Thai USA security relationship.

  • The following is from Global Security:

Carter Meets With Officials in Thailand

By Karen Parrish

American Forces Press Service

BANGKOK, July 22, 2012 – Deputy Defense Secretary Ashton B. Carter traveled here today for meetings with U.S. and Thai officials.

Carter’s decision to visit Thailand was based on the importance U.S. government and defense officials place on the two nations’ alliance, and on the need to further strengthen and deepen senior-level engagement, according to a senior official traveling with Carter and speaking on background.

The official said the deputy secretary visited the Thai Ministry of Defense and thanked Air Chief Marshall Sukumpol Suwannathat and other military officials for hosting the multilateral exercise Cobra Gold, which Carter noted during the meeting has been key to enhancing cooperation in the region.

The United States and Thailand began the annual exercise in 1980. The most recent Cobra Gold took place in January and February, and drew Indonesian, Japanese, Malaysian, Singaporean and South Korean military participants.

During his visit, the deputy secretary told Thai officials he welcomes the opportunity to discuss ways to enrich the two nations’ strategic cooperation to meet shared regional challenges, including improving humanitarian assistance and disaster relief capabilities, the official said.

As part of the two countries’ long-standing alliance of around 180 years, the official said Thailand and the United States regularly seek ways to increase their ability to operate together through continued dialogue, exercises and personnel exchanges.

The United States military enjoys a strong operational relationship with the Royal Thai Armed Forces, the official added.

 

Carter’s Asia-Pacific trip will continue with visits to India and the Republic of Korea.

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