Comandeering foreign policy: how the Thai military overshadows the foreign ministry

Abstract

Historically, Thailand’s foreign policy has been described as “bamboo diplomacy” – rooted in interest and values, while swaying to the geopolitical context of the world. Yet, beneath the perceived view of Thailand’s external foreign policy lies a group of actors that seek to influence and undermine the maintenance of a coherent foreign policy vision. This paper explores the following question: why has Thailand struggled to articulate and maintain a clear foreign policy vision, which often appeared inconsistent and reactive? It argues that Thailand’s inconsistent foreign policy is due to the military’s pursuit of its own interests, which often conflict with the elected government’s. Utilising the concept of a "parallel state,” this paper examines the case studies of the Preah Vihear Temple dispute as well as the opaque procurement practices of the Thai military to illustrate how self-interest and the quest of political survival can overshadow diplomatic efforts and national strategic goals, resulting in the emergence of a reactive and inconsistent foreign policy.