Imagine this. Within the span of a generation, former enemy states transform into top trading partners, bound together by a loose political organisation that evolves into a close alliance across open seas and vast expanses of land as decades pass. Forebears, once sworn enemies in a bloody war, give way to their descendants who now interact, trade, and work with each other with a view to foster peace and prosperity.
No, this is not a plot from Netflix's Vikings: Valhalla series about 11th century Scandinavia. It was Southeast Asia after the late 1970s. Countries that once were foes have since come a long way from such a tumultuous period. Asean member states have indeed become the greater sum of their parts in this regional family grouping.
The past may offer us valuable history lessons, but it may not serve us well to dwell on it, much less to make the ill-fated comparison as it were, "apples to oranges". Policy decisions made at a particular time and circumstance hardly serve as a template for present policy, nor as a pathway for the future. One policy choice may be the right decision when an impending conflict is close to home, much like how the present situation in Ukraine is to Europe. But for another country halfway around the world, the policy choice might differ.
Foreign policy looks at the most relevant past history as well as current and long-term national interests. The referential history should not only be based on a conflict that has transpired decades ago in the region.
In reacting to important global situations or conflicts, countries should consider both specific regional context and long-term objectives, while strongly reaffirming respect for important principles in international law.
The wider spectrum of international relations, and more critically, international political history, are factors that have to be taken into consideration for all countries, including Thailand, in crafting a policy that is truly reflective of their national interest, and consistent with a peaceful international world order.
The crux of Thailand's foreign policy has its foundation in the Charter of the United Nations and principles of international law. On March 1, 2022, Thailand's statement at the 11th Emergency Special Session of the United Nations General Assembly and at its resumed session underlined respect for the sovereignty, territorial integrity and political independence of states, and refraining from the use of force or threat against another state.
Thailand also called for the immediate cessation of violence and armed hostilities, as they only aggravate the situation and worsen humanitarian conditions, while putting pressure on an already ravaged global economy on the cusp of recovering from Covid-19. We called for dialogue and negotiations and urged all parties to seek peaceful settlement and a sustainable solution through multilateral institutions, including the United Nations, regional mechanisms and other modalities available at their disposal. This very process -- of dialogue and negotiations -- has now in fact been put in motion by many actors. Thailand encourages efforts for bilateral talks and stands ready to render any assistance needed to such processes as appropriate.
The Thai statement at the session ended with these words: "Thailand has an abiding faith in the goodwill among nations and the compassion of humanity". Later at the resumed session, we called for non-political access to humanitarian assistance within and around Ukraine. It was a call for reflection and action. And act, we did.
From the very beginning, the Thai Embassy in Warsaw prepared humanitarian assistance in the form of rice, dried food, infant care products and sleeping bags, worth over $60,000 (2 million baht) to be sent to refugees of all nationalities via the Ukraine Red Cross in cooperation with the Polish Red Cross. This was preceded by 1 million baht earmarked for humanitarian aid to internally displaced people in the eastern region of Ukraine through the International Committee of the Red Cross and the Thai Red Cross Society in 2019. The Thai Red Cross has also donated $20,000 earmarked for humanitarian aid to the Ukrainian Red Cross.
We have assisted with the evacuation of Thai, Filipino and Singaporean nationals from Ukraine, and have taken to heart the difficulties faced by the people from both Ukraine and Russia stranded here in Thailand. Just a few weeks ago, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha instructed relevant agencies to provide assistance to approximately 7,000 Russian and 1,000 Ukrainian tourists, mostly stranded in Phuket and Surat Thani provinces. They have been provided with various forms of assistance, namely access to alternative methods of payment, temporary accommodations and interpretation services for emergency calls. Most have requested to extend their period of stay in Thailand and the Immigration Bureau is coordinating closely with respective embassies on the matter. Alternative flight arrangements are being made through national carriers of other countries such as Qatar Airways and Turkish Airlines. The Tourism Ministry also stands ready to provide further assistance, such as temporary accommodation, food and other forms of assistance.
Words do matter, yes, but action speaks louder than words.
Thailand's main contribution to the Asean region and to the global community has long been our espousal of humanitarian principles (or humanitarianism) and a balanced positioning on key global issues, the latter allowing us to fully realise the former. When foreign policy is more "political" than "human", it reflects an imbalance of attention at the expense of human lives, thereby undermining humanitarianism. For this conflict and many others, Thailand has therefore undertaken a human-centred approach, where we value human lives and humanitarianism over politicking and international attention. Our foreign policy is independent and prioritises sustainable solutions, something that many countries, unfortunately, cannot afford to have.
As one of the few countries never colonised by a foreign power, this independence in our foreign policy has come not by chance but through prudence and consideration. It is this diplomatic acumen that has served Thailand well, and even empowered Thailand to play the role of "bridge-builder".
Our firm stance on a myriad of issues has always been to advance Thailand as an open and friendly country with an abiding faith in multilateralism. We have taken a humanitarian and human-centred approach to global issues and acted accordingly. As a matter of principle, we have never resorted to blatant finger-pointing, but rather opt to focus on the more important, and more difficult part -- supporting a diplomatic and durable solution, while offering perspectives based on grounded optimism and long-term diplomatic vision.
Deep and well-thought-out analyses are needed to conduct state affairs, with a bird's eye view firmly based on national interest. Placing oneself sustainably in ever-evolving geopolitical dynamics requires a long-term view and a 360-degree outlook, as does leveraging different positions in various regional and other groupings to advance the purposes and principles Thailand holds dear. Entrenching Thailand's position by choosing one side over the other may possibly preclude opportunities to make a difference where it counts. Thai foreign policy during the conflict in our region in the late 1970s bore the context of the time in mind, and in the same vein, that is now the approach taken in 2022 and will undoubtedly guide us well into the future.
Natapanu Nopakun is Deputy Director-General of the Department of Information and Deputy Spokesperson, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand.
