Thai interests now lie in friendship with China, not US
Play
Re: “Co-dependant relationship with the US is over”, Letters, January 19.
Khun T Timaphorn explains how Thailand’s importance to the US has declined over the years. But Thailand now has the opportunity to exploit greater mutual benefits with its regional neighbour China. Nowhere are these potential benefits more evident than in the building the Kra Isthmus canal as a shortcut for the so-called maritime Silk Road through cooperation with China. The shortened distance would save international shipping firms time and expense and Thailand would gain huge revenue from its share of the canal-passage fee.
T Timaphorn cites a quote attributed to Viscount Palmerston: “Nations have no permanent friends or enemies, only interests.” I couldn’t agree more.
Prasan Stianrapapongs
