Is Thailand a middle power? : an analysis of its foreign policy, 2000-2015

Abstract

This research aims at analysing Thai foreign policies during the period 2000 – 2015 and its relevance with the middle power concept of international relations in order to justify Thailand as a middle power. The five selected foreign policies are Thailand’s participation in peacekeeping operations under the United Nations (UN), the active role of Thailand in ASEAN, Thailand’s overseas assistance program under Thailand International Cooperation Agency (TICA), the Asia Cooperation Dialogue (ACD) and the Ayeyawady - Chao Phraya - Mekong Economic Cooperation Strategy (ACMECS). This study utilised the qualitative methodology, which combined various data collection methods, namely documentary study, secondary statistics and semi-structured interviews. This study also focused primarily on capability and behavioural approaches of the middle power concept to analyse Thailand’s capabilities and its behavioural pattern of foreign policies. This study confirmed that Thai foreign policies are always adjusted following the changes in international and regional configuration. Its domestic politics is also a significant factor that affects its international activism. In terms of capability, this study found that Thailand is categorised as a middle power in the Asia-Pacific. Moreover, Thai foreign policies are conducted in accordance with and correspond to the behavioural patterns of a middle power, which can justify Thailand as a middle power. Therefore, this research argues that Thailand can be recognised as an emerging middle power in the Asia-Pacific region, reflecting its bottom-rank position in the middle power group. However, there is no such self-proclaimation as a middle power from its authorities.