International Regulatory Cooperation in Thailand

Abstract

A small survey of IRC experts found that Thailand is involved in international regulatory cooperation (IRC) across many different forums and relationships. Thailand’s history in successfully maintaining its sovereignty during the age of colonization continues to have an influence in its IRC engagement today. Officials are comfortable adopting a similar ‘swaying bamboo’ approach to IRC: courting many allies in different forums and flexibly adapting to the situation at hand. ‘Tailgating’ strategies were common, for instance using a regional forum to achieve an objective at global forum. These approaches appear to serve Thailand well, allowing maximum use of limited resources in a fast-changing, increasingly multi-polar world. Thailand is heavily engaged in IRC across the spectrum of arrangements: Multilateral, Plurilateral, Regional and Bilateral. When engaging in IRC, government officials take a practical approach, focusing on the substance of the IRC and its impact on Thailand, rather than its form or ideology. Consequently, Thailand is engaged in many different forms of IRC across the spectrum, from informal networks of practice to harmonization of legal frameworks. In addition, the outcome of an IRC is dependent a complex weave of factors, based on the specific context at the time of negotiation and adoption. Government officials generally had a positive view of IRC, that it brings Thailand in line with global standards, opens up opportunities for trade and knowledge exchange. Officials acknowledge relative state power as a key determinant of IRC. Overall, the view was that Thailand is engaged in IRC, as it is of overall benefit and is able to find ‘win-win’ solutions.