Clumsy diplomacy could end up damaging Thailand

A few thoughts on Prime Minister Yingluck’s planned trips overseas:

1. The visits should have been initiated at the beginning of the PM’s term in office in August 2011. The reason for delaying them into her third year is obvious: Thailand is not high on these countries’ lists of priorities. In the case of the US, that’s a shame, because we’ve been friends since 1833.

2. Using the visits to secure backing for Thailand’s push for a place on the UN Security Council (which I fully support) is both disturbing and mistaken. With the US, this should be done at ministerial or official level. For Russia, we need to rethink carefully. Kazakhstan, our main rival, gained independence from the Soviet Union in 1991. To ask Moscow to support Thailand is just not prudent.

3. Thailand should be more discreet, diplomatic and realistic in our quest for support. No countries, besides our Asean neighbours, would want to admit to or be identified as Thailand’s supporters, because of their ties with our rival(s). Incidentally, Thailand’s second attempt for this sought-after UNSC seat could be used against us by first-time rival(s).

4. I agree with Foreign Ministry Permanent Secretary Sihasak Phuangketkeow when he said, “Basically, most of the tasks for the campaign get by with routine work.”

Chuchai 

Bangkok