Cambodia & Laos Defence Forum

[alaungphaya]

Yes, you know them well, we (foreigners living in Thailand, or that used to live there as in my case) also know them well and we know their real capabilities.

It was a compliment. The Thais are smart and diplomatic but also duplicitous and cunning.

 

[Aepsilons]

Don't underestimate the Thais. They know what they are doing. They are smarter than to blindly follow nationalistic pride in their thinking.

Precisely. A nation that was capable of leveraging foreign forces during the Age of Imperialism is the mastery of the Siamese. They are a very strategic people, and nation.

 

[Carlosa]

Precisely. A nation that was capable of leveraging foreign forces during the Age of Imperialism is the mastery of the Siamese. They are a very strategic people, and nation.

Yes, they are very strategic, whatever direction the wind blows, they follow as they did in second ww.

 

[alaungphaya]

Precisely. A nation that was capable of leveraging foreign forces during the Age of Imperialism is the mastery of the Siamese. They are a very strategic people, and nation.

About that, they didn't really do much. They were a natural buffer between Burma and Vietnam.

 

[Carlosa]

It was a compliment. The Thais are smart and diplomatic but also duplicitous and cunning.

Absolutely, as per their culture they always present themselves as so polite and nice, but their real face is a whole another story.

 

[Aepsilons]

Yes, they are very strategic, wherever direction the wind blows, they follow as they did in second ww.

When the Thais saw what happened to French-Indochina (which was conquered by the Imperial Japanese Army in 6 days), the Siamese under then-Prime Minister Plaek Phibunsongkram opted to join Japan in an alliance. Quite frankly, he didn't have a choice because if he had resisted, Thailand would have been militarily conquered by force by the 25th Imperial Army.

The Royal Thai Army even assisted The Imperial Army during the Malayan Campaign and during the Siege of Singapore. The Thais sent about 15,000 soldiers to aid the Japanese in breaking the British Defenses.

Years later, when Japan was losing the war, The Thais then declared war on Japan. lol.

 

[Carlosa]

Precisely. A nation that was capable of leveraging foreign forces during the Age of Imperialism is the mastery of the Siamese. They are a very strategic people, and nation.

Nothing personal with you mate, but living in Thailand for 7 years and going there for about 20 years, I can tell you from my own experience and that of many other foreigners living there, including foreigners dealing with the Thai military and former American officers that dealt with the Thai military that their capabilities are far short of what you think.

 

[Aepsilons]

About that, they didn't really do much. They were a natural buffer between Burma and Vietnam.

They (Siamese) readily gave up their tributary states (Laos), and the western part of Cambodia to the French , only to ensure their own independence. The Siamese were not as reactive , compared to say the Burmese, who fought 3 wars against the British.

 

[Aepsilons]

Nothing personal with you mate, but living in Thailand for 7 years and going there for about 20 years, I can tell you from my own experience and that of many other foreigners living there, including foreigners dealing with the Thai military and former American officers that dealt with the Thai military that their capabilities are far short of what you think.

I appreciate your point of view, buddy.

 

[Carlosa]

They (Siamese) readily gave up their tributary states (Laos), and the western part of Cambodia to the French , only to ensure their own independence. The Siamese were not as reactive , compared to say the Burmese, who fought 3 wars against the British.

Trust me on this, there are just 2 REAL military powers in the continental southeast asian area with a real tradition of being very fierce fighters and a record of usually winning, Burma and Vietnam. After those 2, the Khmers are actually very strong fighters.

Thailand has numbers and equipment, but that's it.

 

[Aepsilons]

Comment: Some new military / defense news relating to Thailand and Cambodia.

==================


Thailand’s Cambodian charm offensive

The recent state visit by Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha to Cambodia represented part of the Thai military government’s uphill diplomatic battle to build and strengthen its legitimacy abroad. This visit occurred amid mounting diplomatic pressures from Europe and the US, calling for a rapid return to democracy.

Legitimacy, security, and economic development are Prayuth’s three core interests. Building confidence and good relations with Thailand’s immediate neighbours is his top priority while also simultaneously approaching China to defuse diplomatic pressures from the West. Since the bloodless coup in May, which ousted the democratically elected Yingluck administration, the military regime claimed its necessary role to restore peace and order in Thailand, which has been hit by lengthy crises.

Prayuth was elected as prime minister by the appointed members of the National Assembly in August and was later endorsed by the King. In October, he stepped down from his position as army chief to take up a civilian-style leadership role. He promised to carry out deep structural reform and restore national unity and development.

Some, however, are sceptical whether the military regime will honestly keep its word, suspecting that the military will hold on to power for a few more years. In that case, political convulsions may reoccur. A popular uprising is not a remote possibility, particularly in north-eastern Thailand where the majority of the farmers are still loyal to the former prime minister, Thaksin Shinawatra.

To stabilise and secure the country, Prayuth has taken a strategic and proactive foreign policy approach with its neighbours, especially Cambodia and Myanmar. Cambodia sits in a strategic location, highly important to the current Thai regime but, moreover, the Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen has shown friendship to Thaksin Shinawatra. Prayuth is concerned that Cambodia may become a safe haven or even a base for the anti-coup movement. More than 200,000 Cambodian migrants were either deported from Thailand or fled fearing violence in June. For his part, Hun Sen has frequently claimed that Cambodia would not allow Thaksin’s forces to reside in the country. Prayuth started to engage Hun Sen since his first day in power. In early July, he sent his top diplomat, Sihasak Phuangketkeow, to Phnom Penh to build mutual confidence, initiate cooperation, and manage the migrant crisis.

Prayuth also warmly welcomed the Cambodian defence minister, Tea Banh, again trying to strengthen bilateral ties between the two countries. In mid-October, Prayuth and Hun Sen informally met for the first time on the sidelines of the 10th Asia–Europe Summit in Italy, two weeks ahead of the state visit to Cambodia.

However, on these occasions, both Cambodian and Thai leaders did not touch on the most sensitive issues: sovereignty over the Preah Vihear temple, and contentious overlapping maritime claims. By and large, they picked the low hanging fruit, avoiding any discussion of delicate issues. Thailand’s approach to bilateral relations remains vulnerable to domestic political changes and nationalism.

Myanmar is also important to Prayuth’s diplomatic efforts to strengthen legitimacy abroad. In early October, Prayuth made his first foreign visit to Myanmar to strengthen border security, promote bilateral trade and address migration issues: around two and a half million migrant workers both legally and illegally work in Thailand. The development of economic zones, building infrastructure connections, and cultural cooperation were also discussed. Finally, in China, Prayuth finds its most important strategic and economic partner, crucial to countering the soft sanctions imposed by the US and Europe. In early June, a delegation of the Thai military visited China to strengthen military cooperation. And in October, Prayuth met Chinese Premier Li Keqiang, also on the sidelines of the Asia–Europe Summit, to reassert his commitment to strengthen economic ties and infrastructure development, and promote cultural exchanges between the two countries.

Under the current regime, amid a crisis of legitimacy at home and abroad, Thailand is gradually moving away from its traditional ally, the US, to build closer strategic partnerships with China and its neighbours. In return, this creates an opportunity for China and its neighbours to deepen its strategic ties with Thailand and the Mekong countries.

Chheang Vannarith is Lecturer in Asia Pacific Studies, University of Leeds.



Thailand’s Cambodian charm offensive | East Asia Forum

 

[Reashot Xigwin]

What happened to the Cambodian & Laos discussion?

 

[alaungphaya]

They (Siamese) readily gave up their tributary states (Laos), and the western part of Cambodia to the French , only to ensure their own independence. The Siamese were not as reactive , compared to say the Burmese, who fought 3 wars against the British.

They didn't have much of a choice but to cede. They were very much reactive to the situation. The Burmese on the other hand, following on from annihilating the Chinese and their vaunted banner armies, decided to challenge the British in Bengal. Which as everyone knows was a spectacularly poor decision.

 

[Aepsilons]

China, Laos to strengthen military cooperation

Ma Xiaotian, deputy chief of general staff of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA), met with a delegation of academies of the Lao People's Army (LPA) headed by Brigadier General Thongloi, president of the National Defense College of the LPA, in Beijing on October 17.

Ma Xiaotian said that China and Laos are close and friendly neighbors, and China attaches great importance to developing relations with Laos. The China-Laos relationship has witnessed in recent years frequent exchanges of visits by high-ranking officials of the two countries and constantly deepened mutual political trust as well as good communication and coordination in international and regional affairs.

The relations between the Chinese and Lao militaries have well developed over the years as evidenced by fruitful cooperation in various fields.

The Chinese PLA is willing to make joint efforts with the Lao side to further strengthen the pragmatic cooperation in various fields including exchanges among military academies, so as to promote the relations between the two militaries to a new high, Mao Xiaotian told the guests.

Thongloi said the Laos is grateful to China for its long-term strong support and assistance to the development of Laos and its military.

The Lao side speaks highly of the long-term close cooperation between the Lao and Chinese military academies, Thongloi said.

The Lao LPA greatly cherishes Laos-China traditional friendship, attaches importance to developing relations with the Chinese PLA and hopes to strengthen cooperation with the Chinese side to further promote the relations between the two militaries to a new high.

China, Laos to strengthen military cooperation - People's Daily Online

 

[Carlosa]

Comment: Some new military / defense news relating to Thailand and Cambodia.

==================


Thailand’s Cambodian charm offensive

The recent state visit by Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha to Cambodia represented part of the Thai military government’s uphill diplomatic battle to build and strengthen its legitimacy abroad. This visit occurred amid mounting diplomatic pressures from Europe and the US, calling for a rapid return to democracy.

Legitimacy, security, and economic development are Prayuth’s three core interests. Building confidence and good relations with Thailand’s immediate neighbours is his top priority while also simultaneously approaching China to defuse diplomatic pressures from the West. Since the bloodless coup in May, which ousted the democratically elected Yingluck administration, the military regime claimed its necessary role to restore peace and order in Thailand, which has been hit by lengthy crises.

Prayuth was elected as prime minister by the appointed members of the National Assembly in August and was later endorsed by the King. In October, he stepped down from his position as army chief to take up a civilian-style leadership role. He promised to carry out deep structural reform and restore national unity and development.

Some, however, are sceptical whether the military regime will honestly keep its word, suspecting that the military will hold on to power for a few more years. In that case, political convulsions may reoccur. A popular uprising is not a remote possibility, particularly in north-eastern Thailand where the majority of the farmers are still loyal to the former prime minister, Thaksin Shinawatra.

To stabilise and secure the country, Prayuth has taken a strategic and proactive foreign policy approach with its neighbours, especially Cambodia and Myanmar. Cambodia sits in a strategic location, highly important to the current Thai regime but, moreover, the Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen has shown friendship to Thaksin Shinawatra. Prayuth is concerned that Cambodia may become a safe haven or even a base for the anti-coup movement. More than 200,000 Cambodian migrants were either deported from Thailand or fled fearing violence in June. For his part, Hun Sen has frequently claimed that Cambodia would not allow Thaksin’s forces to reside in the country. Prayuth started to engage Hun Sen since his first day in power. In early July, he sent his top diplomat, Sihasak Phuangketkeow, to Phnom Penh to build mutual confidence, initiate cooperation, and manage the migrant crisis.

Prayuth also warmly welcomed the Cambodian defence minister, Tea Banh, again trying to strengthen bilateral ties between the two countries. In mid-October, Prayuth and Hun Sen informally met for the first time on the sidelines of the 10th Asia–Europe Summit in Italy, two weeks ahead of the state visit to Cambodia.

However, on these occasions, both Cambodian and Thai leaders did not touch on the most sensitive issues: sovereignty over the Preah Vihear temple, and contentious overlapping maritime claims. By and large, they picked the low hanging fruit, avoiding any discussion of delicate issues. Thailand’s approach to bilateral relations remains vulnerable to domestic political changes and nationalism.

Myanmar is also important to Prayuth’s diplomatic efforts to strengthen legitimacy abroad. In early October, Prayuth made his first foreign visit to Myanmar to strengthen border security, promote bilateral trade and address migration issues: around two and a half million migrant workers both legally and illegally work in Thailand. The development of economic zones, building infrastructure connections, and cultural cooperation were also discussed. Finally, in China, Prayuth finds its most important strategic and economic partner, crucial to countering the soft sanctions imposed by the US and Europe. In early June, a delegation of the Thai military visited China to strengthen military cooperation. And in October, Prayuth met Chinese Premier Li Keqiang, also on the sidelines of the Asia–Europe Summit, to reassert his commitment to strengthen economic ties and infrastructure development, and promote cultural exchanges between the two countries.

Under the current regime, amid a crisis of legitimacy at home and abroad, Thailand is gradually moving away from its traditional ally, the US, to build closer strategic partnerships with China and its neighbours. In return, this creates an opportunity for China and its neighbours to deepen its strategic ties with Thailand and the Mekong countries.

Chheang Vannarith is Lecturer in Asia Pacific Studies, University of Leeds.



Thailand’s Cambodian charm offensive | East Asia Forum

You know why? Because they already got what they wanted from Cambodia, the military and the yellow shirts are in power now, so no need to make conflict with Cambodia anymore, that's already past history. And the other reason is because they don't want Cambodia to be used as a refuge for Thai dissidents and a possible Thai government in exile, etc. Taksin has good relations with Hun Sen, so the real purpose of all this is to neutralize Cambodia in that sense.