Tanasak's amorous praise for Chinese FM 'may upset Asean'

Some of them said such overt expression of love was counterproductive to Thailand’s geopolitical interests. 

Officials who were part of Tanasak’s entourage but asked not to be named defended the foreign minister, saying he had merely expressed admiration for his Chinese counterpart.

At a joint press conference this week in Kuala Lumpur on the sidelines of the Asean Ministerial Meeting, Tanasak told reporters: “If I were a woman, I would fall in love with His Excellency.”

Virot Ali, a Thammasat University lecturer on international relations, said such overt expressions of affections were likely to upset other Asean member states that have maritime disputes with China.

“It’s inappropriate given the time and place. The context where it took place was a meeting with other Asean member states who have a dispute” with China, Virot said, adding that Thailand’s reputation for balancing big powers was being undermined by the current administration’s overt expression of affinity towards China. 

“It’s clear that we chose the side of the Chinese over that of Asean. This might open doors to conflicts with the United States and some Asean members.”

Virot said such explicit expression of affection was best used behind closed doors during bilateral meetings. He added that China was not even being especially nice to Thailand and making such public overtures would result in a loss for Thailand. He urged Thailand to ask itself why even countries formerly close to China like Myanmar are currently keeping a distance from it.

Former Thammasat University rector Charnvit Kasetsiri giggled when asked about the uncommon diplomatic overture by Tanasak, and said it’s “rather cute and rather Thai”, before laughing.

Charnvit added, however, that as someone who had worked at the Thai Foreign Ministry before, the move was “unprecedented”, and laughed again.

When asked about whether it serves to benefit Thailand or not, Charnvit said it was up to the public to decide.

Panitan Wattanayagorn, an adviser to Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwan, defended Tanasak by saying the move was his unique way of communicating that Thai-China relations were “special and close” beyond ordinary bilateral relations. He said the issue became news only because the military-led government of Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha is being closely monitored.

Panitan added that it was a good opportunity to foster closer ties between the two nations, which would be beneficial to Thailand.

Deputy Government Spokesman Maj-General Werachon Sukondhapatipak said: “I am not in a position to criticise. The media must think for themselves.”

Asda Jayanama, a former Thai representative to the United Nations, said it was not funny for the foreign minister to say such a thing in public. It was an expression of “greenhorn diplomacy”, he said. “I understand he wanted to be friendly with his Chinese counterpart but [Tanasak] might have forgotten that he is the foreign minister of Thailand,” Asda said. 

“I’m worried about his political career in the future as foreign counterparts might laugh at him for knowing nothing about diplomatic practice,” he said. “The person who holds the position of Thailand’s top diplomat should have some skills in these areas.”