Special Lecture “Thailand’s Foreign Policy in the 21st Century” by H.E. Mr. Abhisit Vejjajiva Prime Minister of Thailand on the Occasion of the 25th Anniversary of the Devawongse Varopakarn Institute of Foreign Affairs Vithes Samosorn, Ministry of Foreign Affairs on 30 March 2009
Excellencies,
Distinguished Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Introduction
I am very pleased to be invited to speak today on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the Devawongse Varopakarn Institute of Foreign Affairs. It is an important part of the Thai foreign service, as it provides all-year-round training courses for Thai diplomats and officials of other government agencies to develop and refine their skills in foreign affairs.
It is my privilege to be at this distinguished gathering of not only current ambassadors, diplomats and officials, but also those who, in the past, served so successfully as Thailand’s ambassadors, permanent secretaries and foreign ministers. This group is part of our fine diplomatic tradition. The important role you played in bringing Thai diplomacy to the level of excellence is certainly a part of the legacy of Thai diplomacy.
During the colonial era, Thailand was able to maintain its independence and sovereignty thanks to the skill, wisdom and courage of our kings. These universal qualities were also embodied in His Royal Highness Prince Devawongse Varopakarn. Prince Devawongse showed by example how crucial the quality of Thailand’s diplomatic personnel is in steering our country through the turbulence and uncertainties of the international environment. I congratulate the Institute that bears his name on its 25th anniversary, and I am pleased to offer some thoughts on the foreign policy challenges facing Thailand in the 21st century.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Changes of landscape
The world’s political and economic landscape has changed dramatically during the past few decades. Many new developments have accounted for this important change. Globalisation is taking place more rapidly. China and India are emerging prominently in the regional and global context. National economies are growing more and more interdependent. Free trade and regional groupings are increasingly becoming more intertwined. The rise of non-traditional threats such as terrorism and transnational crimes, food security, and public health, energy and environmental issues have all contributed to this important change.
In this changing world, our engagement with the world has not only expanded, but expectations have been raised. Thailand and her partners are now expected to develop mutually beneficial partnerships through even more rigorous bilateral fora, as well as within multilateral frameworks.
Most significantly, we now have to work against a backdrop of new challenges. The global economic crisis originated in developed economies but is expected to have greater effects in developing economies. It has adversely affected some countries in a greater degree than others, and some will rise out of the rubble stronger than others. Terrorism, an ever more difficult threat, is indeed not easy to counter when terrorist acts are performed by non-state actors and based on social injustice. Climate change and environmental degradation remain important challenges. It has been predicted for some time that dwindling key natural resources, such as freshwater, may lead to competition and even conflict.
The 21st century was once predicted to be the Century of Asia. Whether this will be realised or not, it is indeed clear that Asia has great potential. Utilising the potential would require all Asian countries to cooperate more closely, and to adapt more accordingly, given the current backdrop and challenges.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Foreign policy in the 21st century
Government Priorities
Thailand is not only facing a backdrop of new global challenges. We had a volatile domestic situation that significantly affected the confidence that countries would have placed on Thailand in normal circumstances. Three months ago we had a barely functioning government. Thailand was faced with political instability, conflict and confrontation. Today, we have made substantial progress. Since assuming office, we have contained the conflict, we have a functioning government and have put politics back into parliament and began to bring back confidence. As highlighted in the government’s Policy Statement, my government will continue to work hard on the process of political reform to bring harmony and reconciliation to the society. We will continue through the path of reconciliation by working closely with all sectors of society, whether the opposition party or civil society. My trips to Davos, Tokyo, London, Jakarta and Vientiane, as well as the 14th ASEAN Summit that we hosted, were successful in bringing back confidence in Thailand’s economy and political development. We have announced to the world that we are now back to normal and back in business. Thailand, its politics and economy, is now back on its proper course, and I can assure you that my Government will be guided by the principles of democracy, good governance, transparency, respect for justice, and the rule of law.
Last year, the political instability and global economic crisis both took its heavy toll on the domestic economy. Our exports and tourism have inevitably been affected, with a big drop in exports of around thirty percent and tourism of around eighteen to twenty percent. But since I took office, we have taken decisive and swift decisions to implement measures that are necessary to sustain purchasing power in the country. The economic stimulus package includes short-term, medium-term and long-term measures to stimulate Thailand’s overall economy and to promote investment and consumption among the people and private sectors. The package that we’ve put in place includes programs that will make sure that the people who are the hardest hit, particularly the poor, are well looked after. For the agricultural sector, we have made sure that there is enough support so that our farmers continue to get good prices for their crops. We also have rural funds that will be set up in all villages, so that they may generate some jobs and also opportunities for longer term sustainable development. For the unemployed or those at risk of being unemployed, we have a comprehensive training program aimed at least at 500,000 people where they will be retrained for new jobs or even start up new enterprises, preferably back in their rural, local areas. For low income earners, we have a program that has already given out cash handouts. We have also free education programmes, special funds for senior citizens, as well as some of the public health volunteers and staffs all over the country. These measures are aimed at short term stimulation of domestic demand to sustain us through what we feel as the most difficult period of the crisis, which will be the first three quarters of this year. We remain cautious as we know that there may be more downward revisions on global demand. We are also seeking loans from international financial institutions, not because we lack reserves, but because those reserves cannot be used for development and infrastructure projects, according to our laws. We want to make sure we have enough generation of demand and purchasing power and also continue on development projects. However, the risk for the Thai government is that some of the economic measures undertaken may have unintended consequences and be interpreted as protectionism in disguise. There is therefore a need to explain and coordinate with the international community, such as through ASEAN and G20, to show that in spite of the difficulties, Thailand will adhere to principles of free trade.
Thailand needs support from our international friends through a long-term partnership to help develop Thailand and the region. This will include cooperation in infrastructure development through fora such as ASEAN, IMT-GT, GMS and ACMECS. It will also include cooperation in areas such as education and environment. The support from international partners will bring development goals to reality. As domestic conditions and interests relate to how foreign policies are formulated, our foreign policy will work to bring back confidence to the domestic situation, and thus the country itself.
At the beginning of the 21st century, Thailand will continue to adapt to the ever-changing conditions of the world. For every issue that is in our national interest, we will be engaged. For every threat to international peace and security, we will put our guard up, and act, speak out and render a helping hand whenever possible. For every initiative that will make the world a better place, we will offer our support.
All of us here are unlikely to live out the entire century. But what is certain is that our successors will see a Thailand that is actively, flexibly and constructively engaged in foreign affairs. They will have confidence not only in the country, but also in a Thailand that is a dependable partner in the world and a key player in the region.
Southeast Asia and ASEAN as core
The fundamental principles of Thailand’s foreign policy remain unchanged. As a country strategically located in the heart of Southeast Asia, our focus would remain in the region. Bilateral ties with our immediate neighbours and ASEAN will continue to be our priorities. We recognise that our futures are intertwined, and that we can only prosper if our neighbours prosper. We will therefore continue to cooperate with our neighbours on sustainable development, through technical assistance and other exchanges, bilaterally and in conjunction with third parties. In the years to come, we will work even harder to resolve all outstanding border issues with neighbouring countries, while seeking to promote cooperation in all spheres. Many of you know that we are also a suitable channel for countries beyond the region that are interested in regional developments, to be constructively engaged in regional affairs. To put it frankly, we hope to achieve even more with our neighbours this century than in the past five centuries combined.
It is my government’s policy to continue building on our existing bilateral assistance, as well as support tripartite cooperation, for development and humanitarian purposes to our neighbours and beyond in times of need, such as in natural disasters and other crises. Our efforts to provide help, and cooperation we received for this purpose, during Cyclone Nargis were a recent case in point, which you all would recall. Of our many assistance projects, the most recent one is the construction of a rail-link between Thanaleng Railway Station in Laos and Nong Khai Province in Thailand, which was inaugurated in March. We also donated monetary assistance to Zimbabwe through the International Committee of the Red Cross to help combat the cholera epidemic that began last year. Just last week, the Thai Government, through Foreign Minister Kasit, provided monetary contribution to Myanmar to help reconstruct pagodas and religious sites destroyed by Cyclone Nargis.
As the current Chair of ASEAN, I would be remiss not to mention the importance of ASEAN centrality. In 11 days time, we will be hosting the ASEAN Summits with Dialogue Partners and welcoming 15 world leaders, the United Nations Secretary-General and presidents of international financial institutions in Pattaya. There, ASEAN and her partners will make headway in collectively addressing the urgent need to address the global economic and financial crisis. Realising the ASEAN Community, as stipulated in the ASEAN Charter, will not be an easy path. But with our joint efforts, we will soon be a more harmonious and prosperous community of Southeast Asian nations. Our community will be stronger, more resilient and better equipped to respond to global challenges.
Reaching Out
It is our intention that Thailand should reach out. So far, we have reached out and forged relations with regions located as far away from Thailand as Central Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean, Africa and the South Pacific. Although our two newest embassies, located in Lima and Abuja, are quite distant, I am sure that our ambassadors, who are the heads of “Team Thailand”, will move the relations forward. The same goes for other new missions in the pipeline, including Tripoli. So to continue our efforts to ensure that Thailand has close and friendly relations with all countries in the world, I am supportive of increasing our diplomatic representation and physical presence in foreign countries as necessary, preferably with all Thai agencies working under one roof. I also note with pleasure the opening up of our Permanent Mission to ASEAN in Jakarta.
Role in Multilateral Fora
At the international level, this century would see Thailand be more actively engaged in promoting international cooperation to address global and transnational issues, including human and narcotics trafficking, that affect Thailand as much as other countries in the world. I would mention that Thailand will seek to move in pace with the world. For example, we may not know what kind of diseases would emerge in the middle or latter parts of this century, say 50 or 60 years from now. Nevertheless, we will always keep our heads up and address threats like these immediately and collectively. Our foreign policy is also about our focus on international economic policy---our commitment to free trade, our determination to eliminate trade barriers---which will be heard at the London Summit next week. I will be attending as ASEAN Chair and along with the President of Indonesia, carry the ASEAN message that countries will not resort to protectionism in addressing the global economic downturn
Any solution to global challenges will require not only political will, but economic incentives to drive technology in the right direction. To mitigate global warming, alternative and renewable sources of energy must be developed and at competitive prices. Energy will no longer be about natural resource endowment but brainpower and market competition, as the best minds vie for market share through the most efficient technologies.
In the United Nations, Thailand’s contribution and active role do not need to be proven. Thailand is an early member of the UN and later became President of the 11th Session of the UN General Assembly in 1956. The excellence of Thai diplomacy was also prevalent in 1985 during our non-permanent membership of the UN Security Council. We are adding on to our contributions in the UN by presenting our candidature to become non-permanent member of the Security Council in the year 2017. Thailand has supported peace-keeping operations under the UN in the past and we will continue to be engaged in the peacekeeping effort. We will expand our partnership with all UN-affiliated agencies. Meanwhile, the World Trade Organisation and international financial institutions will continue to find Thailand as a close partner. In fact, I have invited presidents of the institutions like the World Bank, IMF and ADB to discuss important matters at the ASEAN Summits in Pattaya next month.
Aside from ASEAN and the UN, we will further enhance our role and work for the development of the numerous regional and sub-regional frameworks, organisations and economic groupings, as well as strengthen our cooperation with groupings that we are not a member of or have an observer status.
Participatory Foreign Policy
Thai foreign policy is not only about foreign relations, or looking outwards. Foreign policy is a conduit between the international and domestic spheres. As the country develops, the public is demanding more of government, and it is the duty of government to respond satisfactorily. It is therefore imperative that the Thai public be included and given a role in the formulation and implementation of policy. Their views and needs must be heard and taken into account. Thai diplomacy must take a more people-centred approach and adhere to a participatory foreign policy. Today’s Thai citizens, more assertive and active, are the ultimate beneficiaries of Thai foreign policy.
One of the most important parts of foreign policy under my government is the commitment to protect and promote the rights and interests of Thai nationals, including workers and the private sector abroad. We have focused on consular matters and the welfare of Thai citizens abroad, equipping them with knowledge that may protect them from being violated or discriminated against while living or working outside Thailand. Thai communities abroad must also be empowered, so that they will be able to live with dignity and contribute to the development of their host countries.
Diplomats of Speed and Excellence
Indeed, we live in a fast-moving world. Everything, including diplomacy, just as the Foreign Minister said, moves at such a high speed. So diplomats must be multi-taskers who are constantly “in the loop” and able to keep up to speed with advancements in information and communication technology. I guess when we finish this programme and have our reception, our diplomats would have to “work the room” at great speed. Foreign policy must be prepared to effectively respond in any situation. We need a foreign policy that is effective, flexible, balanced, engaging and forward-looking. While the core values of the policy may not change drastically in the decades to come, the process and approach of the policy may change according to the situation at hand.
As successful as Thai diplomacy may have been in the past, we must never rest on our laurels or be content to dwell on our past glories. Our diplomats need to have standards at least equal to those of other countries if we are to navigate the 21st century successfully. We will therefore pursue the training of our diplomats so that they will develop the highest standards---and become the “world class diplomats” that we hope to build. I have every confidence in the quality of the officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and am certain that, as one of the most competent and efficient Thai government agencies, they will continue to be the professionals and practitioners that Thailand will depend on to advance Thai interests and Thailand’s stature in the world to an even higher plane.
As ambassadors and diplomats, you all serve as the eyes and ears of your governments and your peoples, submitting accurate in-depth reports to your capitals on issues that are important to national interest. Allow me to offer a reminder to all diplomats, Thai and foreign, that it is crucial to prepare and brace ourselves for the changes in the world that lie ahead. As I mentioned earlier, some countries were more severely affected by the global economic downturn than others. Therefore, we all must try to act and think in line with the forces of change to the fullest of our ability, because we do not know the extent to which the abrupt changes in global situations will affect us.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Conclusion
Any good foreign policy begins at home. The foundation of an effective foreign policy lies in well-trained diplomats who understand and work on the basis of the country’s needs and interests and are aware of the top priorities of the government. At the same time, if the domestic situation is peaceful and the society is harmonious and progressive, foreign policy can be conveniently carried out for the benefit and advancement of the country.
We hope for the support of our foreign friends in building good relations and strong partnerships. The century ahead will be challenging, but if we strive to walk together hand-in-hand, our foreign policies will not only serve the interests of our individual countries, but also complement the policies of our friends and neighbours and bring forth mutual benefits.
Finally, as Prime Minister, I firmly believe in the abilities of the Thai people to survive and thrive in this turbulent world. I will do my utmost to add value to Thai foreign policy for the benefit of the people of Thailand, and I will prove that Thailand is your dependable partner in the world.
For further information, please contact the Press Division, Department of Information, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Tel.02-6435170, Fax.02-6435169, E-mail: div0704@mfa.go.th