New Aspirations and Old Constraints in Thailand's Foreign Policy

Abstract

Attitudes toward foreign policy in Thailand have undergone a change since the elections of July 24, 1988, ushered in the first elected government since 1976. Prime Minister Prem Tinsulanonda had ruled for nine years after he was brought into office by a revolt against Kriangsak Chamanan in February 1980, and he had the opportunity to remain in power after the July 1988 elections as a nonelected leader. He understood, however, that pressure for an elected prime minister was becoming irresistible and could not be frustrated without consequences for political stability. Moreover, some suspect that Prem had lost the support of the military by his effort to retain control of military appointments as a way of preventing further coups against the government. Therefore, in recognition of the strength of the democratic movement in Thailand, Prem stepped aside and allowed politics to follow their natural course. Chatichai Chunhawan, leader of the Chart Thai Party, was able to form a governing coalition with five other parties (the Social Action Party, the Democrats, Rassadorn, the United Democrats, Mual Chon) with a total of 220 of the 357 seats in the lower house. Elected governments have demonstrated an ability to introduce major changes in Thailand's foreign policy as a reflection of the pent-up social forces they represent. But military governments have also displayed flexibility in this area, as Kriangsak Chamanan did in managing his equidistant-foreign In fact, flexibility has been the norm in Thai foreign policy. Kukrit Pramoj's elected government was able to adjust to the fall of Saigon in April 1975 by establishing diplomatic relations with China. Since the emergence of a civilian government under Sanya Dharmasakti in October 1973, the ground had been laid for the eventual