Cebu: Academics indicate that the Prime Minister "passed the test" at the ASEAN meeting, canceling 44 MOUs, pressuring Cambodia to hold bilateral talks, and expanding energy cooperation with member states. They recommend a more proactive approach to strengthen long-term cooperation.
According to Thai News Agency, Associate Professor Dulyapak Precharatch from Thammasat University evaluated Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul's performance during the 48th ASEAN Summit held in Cebu, Philippines. He noted that the Thai government effectively utilized the ASEAN platform to reinforce Thailand's commitment to peace, adherence to international regulations, and fostering ASEAN unity, while also protecting national interests.
The summit included trilateral discussions between leaders from Thailand, Cambodia, and the Philippines. The discussions were smooth, with Thailand and Cambodia agreeing to have their foreign ministers collaborate on confidence-building measures to restore bilateral relations. Associate Professor Dulyapak highlighted that despite progress in peacebuilding, sensitive issues like border demarcation were not addressed. Cambodia's Prime Minister, Hun Manet, emphasized that border issues should be resolved without force, urging Thailand to rejoin the Thai-Cambodian Joint Border Commission (JBC).
Academics identified the management of JBC negotiations as a significant challenge for Thailand, as it seeks to avoid disadvantageous outcomes and align meetings with national interests. Cambodia's move to invoke the United Nations' mandatory compromise mechanism for maritime disputes adds another layer of complexity. Thailand has acknowledged Cambodia's intentions but has not agreed to the process, preferring bilateral negotiations.
The Philippines' role as a facilitator was commended, allowing Thailand to negotiate with Cambodia without undue pressure. Prime Minister Anutin also advanced initiatives on energy security and renewable energy investment. He engaged in bilateral talks with leaders from Vietnam, Singapore, the Philippines, and Malaysia to enhance cooperation in various sectors, including trade and infrastructure.
Despite the summit's successes, Thailand faces challenges such as geopolitical competition, the Myanmar issue, and balancing relations between China and the United States in the Indo-Pacific. Academics suggest that Thailand should adopt a clearer geopolitical vision and a proactive foreign policy to bolster its ASEAN role in the long term.