Thread: China muscling U.S. aside in Thailand

China muscling U.S. aside in Thailand
Richard S. Ehrlich
Sunday, July 31, 2011

BANGKOK — The United States is worried about China’s growing influence in Thailand, as Washington’s prestige appears to be fading with America’s oldest South Asian ally.

Former U.S. Ambassador Eric John warned of China’s assertive diplomacy in a confidential cable before he left his post in Bangkok in September.

Mr. John pointed out “China’s sustained, successful efforts to court Southeast Asia and Thailand” in his report to Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton.

Thai “government officials and academics sympathetic to the U.S. see the dynamic of China rising — and the U.S. receding — likely to continue, unless the U.S. takes more vigorous action to follow-up with sustained efforts to engage on issues that matter to the Thai [people] and the region, not just what is perceived as the U.S.’s own agenda,” Mr. John said in the cable released by the anti-secrecy website WikiLeaks.

Thailand and the United States established diplomatic relations in 1833.

Mr. John also said China is competing strongly with the United States on the cultural front, noting “many Chinese diplomats [who] are fully fluent” in the Thai language.

Chinese Ambassador Guan Mu is one of those Thai-speaking diplomats. He sent 17 years of his diplomatic career in Thailand, rising to the post of ambassador in 2009. Mr. Mu frequently appears on Thai television.

Mr. John, who speaks Korean and Vietnamese, sent three years in Bangkok; and the new U.S. ambassador, Kristie Kenney, who speaks French and Spanish, arrived in January.

China also has marshaled a parade of high-level visitors to Thailand in recent years.

In 2009, alone, Premier Wen Jiabao and Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi visited Bangkok for a meetings with Asian leaders, while Defense Minister Gen. Liang Guanglie came for military talks.

Thai Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn visited China five times that year, while Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya also held talks in Beijing.

China also avoids criticizing Thailand.

In 2006, when Thailand’s military staged a coup and toppled the prime minister, Washington suspended $24 million in military assistance and restricted high-level meetings.

China described the coup as Bangkok’s internal affair, gave Thailand $49 million in military aid and increased the number of exchange students at Chinese and Thai military staff colleges. Beijing also persuaded the Thai military to participate in yearly, small-scale special forces joint exercises.

Last year, Chinese and Thai special forces held a 15-day joint antiterrorism drill, and more than 100 Chinese marines from an amphibious special warfare held exercises with their Thai counterparts.

washingtontimes.com

Originally Posted by Mid

In 2006, when Thailand’s military staged a coup and toppled the prime minister, Washington suspended $24 million in military assistance and restricted high-level meetings.

China described the coup as Bangkok’s internal affair, gave Thailand $49 million in military aid and increased the number of exchange students at Chinese and Thai military staff colleges. Beijing also persuaded the Thai military to participate in yearly, small-scale special forces joint exercises.

One door closes and another opens.

The world is changing. Countries that keep pace will prosper and those that fail to won't.

Good, I'm tired of hearing the American Government sniveling and whining about the knock off watches and pirated software and DVD's. The USA might as well get used to this, they've destroyed their own country from the inside and that's bound to have international consequences.

Other than not realizing his replacement speaks fluent Thai, and the long history of Chinese influence (longer than US diplomatic missions) in Thailand, what other personal shortcomings does the man need to present for all to see?

Thailand really isn't controlled by South East Asians anyways. Thai land Chinese Government. It's a shame that this nation is so vulnerable in so many ways. Thailand is a colony and a victim of its own weak leaders. But that doesn't matter, money and being able to control the masses is everything. Thjailand with China's help will do that just as it has with America's help in the past. The little ignorant dark-skinned people who run around all over the place won't have screw to say about it and you know what they don't give a crap anyways. Thailand has always been the property of Chinese. It's Thai leaders are just weal little figures that can be removed at any time. It's my perspective on 'Thailand' Discussing this issue or non-issue just isn't possible among indigenous Thais with so so many Chinese now in the nation. Thailand has been sold off! Sale closed.

I speak some gook

To my knowledge, Thailand has never declared war on China, so they have a natural advantage over America.

Originally Posted by Mid

Mr. John also said China is competing strongly with the United States on the cultural front, noting “many Chinese diplomats [who] are fully fluent” in the Thai language.

When did the US diplomats stop frequenting Pat Pong and Pattaya?

Originally Posted by Thormaturge

To my knowledge, Thailand has never declared war on China, so they have a natural advantage over America.

During WWII Thailand was "allied" with the Japanese. Significant air battles between the Flying Tigers (officially part of the Chinese air force) and the Japanese were fought over Chang Mai. Chinese ground forces also fought in Burma against Japanese forces operating out of Thailand, and with supporting troops from Thailand. So, there is a history of animosity at some point in the past.

Thailand has a long history of kowtowing to whichever side or country that seems to be on the rise at the moment.