PRIME MINISTER NGUYEN XUAN PHUC PAYS 3-DAY OFFICIAL VISIT TO THAILAND

Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc is paying his visit to Bangkok with the hope of developing trade and “tempting” Thailand to stand on Hanoi’s side in the dispute over the East Sea. Experts remark that Vietnam’s strategy will be very unlikely to succeed given that Thailand’s military authority has become increasingly reliant on Beijing in terms of economics. 

“The visit is aimed at persuading Thailand to support Vietnam in the East Sea issue, but I think it won’t work since Thailand is more and more depending on China, especially under Thailand’s militaristic regime at the present”, stated Dr. Le Minh Nguyen from Garden Grove, California.

Yet given the important role of Thailand in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), Dr. Tran Dinh Lam, Director of the Center for Vietnamese and Southeast Asian Studies, said that Mr. Phuc’s efforts in the country, which has formed a strategic partnership with Vietnam, also help to lend Vietnam’s voice to the contentious sea.

“The Prime Minister’s visit will strengthen the Vietnam – Thailand relations as well as making Vietnam’s voice stronger in the East Sea issue. As a key ASEAN country, Thailand’s contributions during the initial phase of ASEAN mean a lot to Vietnam”, said Mr. Lam to VOA-Vietnamese from HCM City.

According to Vietnam’s mass media, Mr. Phuc pays a three-day official visit to Thailand, from 17 to 19 August. The country is Vietnam’s largest trading partner in ASEAN.

From a notification made by the Vietnam’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, President of the Privy of Thailand Prem Tinsulanonda said on 18 August that the Thai Royal Family and government always put great emphasis on the relationship with Vietnam, which is reflected through the fact that Vietnam is now the only strategic partner of Thailand in ASEAN.

Thailand often raises its concerns over freedom of navigation in the East Sea, yet like the US, it stands on neither party over the regional dispute.

Dr. Tran Dinh Lam believes that Bangkok’s voice still has its weight in the community of 10 Southeast Asian countries.

“Each country has its own perspective, but ASEAN shares the same voice as a whole. The Prime Minister’s visit to Thailand this time also has some impact, helping the involved countries reconsider the East Sea issue. Since the East Sea belongs to ASEAN countries, the community’s unity and cooperation will bring long-term benefits and maintain peace in the region. Once the whole community’s voice is stronger, it will be unlikely that China dares to make any unacceptable act”, said Dr. Lam.

Disagreeing with Dr. Lam’s opinion, Dr. Le Minh Nguyen argues that Thailand’s role in ASEAN has been gradually diminished due to economic attractiveness of Beijing, whereas Vietnam is “alone” in the East Sea conflict.

“Concerning the East Sea issue, the past events witnessed the solitude of Vietnam for almost all of the 10 Southeast Asian countries either have a close relationship with China or are neutral, which paves the way for China’s influence on the whole ASEAN community. In the case of Thailand, it’s obvious that China is implementing its One Belt One Road project, including a very important railway from Yunnan, down to Thailand and spreading to Singapore as well as the Kra Canal proposal that the Thai government really wants to cooperate with China. Economic benefits that China brings to Thailand are way bigger than those from Vietnam.”, he said.

According to Dr. Lam, China’s strategies to Southeast Asian countries are not completely appreciated.

“Although the One Belt One Road plan seems attractive to several countries, including Thailand, it causes various adverse consequences. What China did to Laos and Cambodia has somehow damaged the union of the Southeast Asian community. That’s an initiative launched by only China, which doesn’t get agreement of all countries in the region’”.

VNExpress extracted a notification released by the Vietnam’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, saying on 17 August that Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha “confirmed the same viewpoint on the East Sea issue when welcoming his Vietnamese counterpart who is paying an official visit to Thailand”.

Also from that source of news, the two prime ministers stated that they continue to “support ASEAN and China to reach agreement on the East Sea Code of Conduct (CoC)”.

The Nation, a Thailand’s newspaper, reports that the two premiers acknowledge Vietnam’s serious concerns over the East Sea conflict. The two countries’ leaders also highlight the importance of maintaining peace, security and stability as well as the safety and freedom of navigation in the region.

The two prime ministers emphasize that the cooperation in security and military defense is one the essential elements of the Vietnam – Thailand strategic partnership.

The Vietnam News Agency reports that Vietnam and Thailand reaffirm their commitment of not permitting any individual or organization to take advantage of its territory in order to implement damaging activities to the other country. Both sides also pledge to cooperate in anti-terrorism and other types of crime as well as increasing collaboration in dealing with maritime problems.

Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc (2^nd, L) meets his Thai counterpart Prayuth Chan-ocha.

Source: https://www.voatiengviet.com/a/thu-tuong-phuc-loi-keo-bangkok-ve-phia-ha-noi-trong-tranh-chap-bien-dong/3991312.html

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