Thailand to navigate a shifting world

The Thai negotiating delegation's failure to meet with their American counterparts last week in Washington, DC, confirmed that Thailand is a low-priority country for the US.

- Kavi Chongkittavorn

That should be a wake-up call for the Paetongtarn government — the relationship between Thailand and the US is no longer what it used to be.

How can Thailand engage the US under President Donald Trump, who imposed a 36% tariff on Thai exports? This frequently asked question will be on the top of the agenda when nearly 100 ambassadors and consuls are scheduled to brainstorm in Bangkok from June 8 to 15 to identify the country’s priorities. The meeting of diplomats comes at the right time, if not long overdue. It is only hoped that the meeting will be a fruitful discussion that reenergises diplomatic initiatives, not just a ritual where officials make speeches that are more like complaints or exercises in self-gratification.

This time around, the foreign ministry's bureaucrats must be bold and dynamic in confronting intra-agency constraints and possible political meddling. It must be said that over the past six months, the country’s foreign policy-making has been politicised, compromising national interests.

Within the first 100 days, Mr Trump has punched a massive hole in the global order. The rest of the world has had no choice but to line up and catch up. A handful of countries have been able to resist this aberration, albeit with some moderation. Today, every country must adapt to and adjust to a new geopolitical landscape that can shift at any moment.

Thailand is no exception. The country must now revisit its century-old foreign policy approach to ensure that sovereignty and national interests are protected in these unusual times. This effort comes as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs marks its 150th anniversary — a fitting moment for deep reflection.