Thailand's Rare Criticism of the US; Scholars: Bangkok Prioritizes Interests and Policy Predictability
Thai Foreign Minister's recent public criticism of the US highlights a decline in trust among US allies in Southeast Asia and reflects Thailand's diplomatic emphasis on practical interests and policy predictability, according to scholars.
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- 📰 Published: April 29, 2026 at 21:27
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Central News Agency
(Central News Agency reporter Li Zong-xian, Bangkok 29th) Thai Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow recently publicly criticized the United States in an interview with US media, stating that Washington had not aided Thailand regarding the economic impact of the Middle East conflict. Scholars analyze that this move highlights a decline in trust among US allies in Southeast Asia and reflects that Thailand's diplomacy places more importance on practical interests and policy predictability.
Thai Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow previously told The Washington Post that the US had not provided any aid to Thailand for the economic losses caused by US-Israeli military actions against Iran, and that Thailand was seeking support from China and Russia.
Thailand is one of the US's long-term partners in Asia and a treaty ally. The Thai government has long pursued a big-power balancing diplomacy. This public naming of Washington has drawn external attention to whether Bangkok is accelerating its alignment with China and Russia.
In response, Tita Sanglee, a Southeast Asia researcher at the ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute in Singapore, told the Central News Agency that the Thai Foreign Minister's remarks should not be simplified as Thailand's diplomacy shifting from the US to China and Russia. She pointed out that strengthening relations with one party does not necessarily weaken relations with another.
She believes, "Thailand still maintains multi-layered interactions with major powers in different fields."
Tita stated that the true message Sihasak's remarks intended to convey is that Thailand will prioritize stability and predictability in its foreign relations, even above the benefits brought by the traditional Thai-US military alliance.
She said that Thailand rarely publicly opposes a major power, adding, "(Sihasak's remarks) indeed send a clear and rare signal to the Trump administration that Thailand will prioritize policy predictability in its relations with other countries."
Stephen Olson, a senior visiting fellow at the ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute in Singapore, revealed to the Central News Agency that while the Thai officials' remarks were unusually strong, dissatisfaction among regional countries with US policies that harm partners' interests has long been widespread in private.
He pointed out, "US credibility in Southeast Asia has significantly declined, but as the facts become clearer, we may see officials more willing to express these views publicly."
In recent years, the US has repeatedly adjusted its tariff policies, becoming more protectionist in trade. Coupled with US-Israeli military actions against Iran, which escalated the Middle East situation and impacted energy and commodity prices, Thailand, which is highly dependent on exports and tourism, has faced pressure.
Chen Shang-mao, a visiting scholar at Chulalongkorn University, believes that the Thai Foreign Minister's strong statement might be a "mode of operation where the decision-making circle first throws out an issue and then observes public reaction," carrying the implication of testing domestic and international sentiment.
He told the Central News Agency that rising energy prices, fertilizer costs, and living expenses have put pressure on the government, which must respond to the public.
However, scholars also point out that Thailand is unlikely to fully align with any single major power. Tita said that Thailand has always valued strategic autonomy and is unwilling to allow any major power to have excessive influence over itself. Therefore, even if relations with China deepen, Thai society is already wary of issues such as trade deficits. (Editor: Hsieh Yi-hsuan) 1150429
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(Central News Agency reporter Li Zong-xian, Bangkok 29th) Thai Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow recently publicly criticized the United States in an interview with US media, stating that Washington had not aided Thailand regarding the economic impact of the Middle East conflict. Scholars analyze that this move highlights a decline in trust among US allies in Southeast Asia and reflects that Thailand's diplomacy places more importance on practical interests and policy predictability.
Thai Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow previously told The Washington Post that the US had not provided any aid to Thailand for the economic losses caused by US-Israeli military actions against Iran, and that Thailand was seeking support from China and Russia.
Thailand is one of the US's long-term partners in Asia and a treaty ally. The Thai government has long pursued a big-power balancing diplomacy. This public naming of Washington has drawn external attention to whether Bangkok is accelerating its alignment with China and Russia.
In response, Tita Sanglee, a Southeast Asia researcher at the ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute in Singapore, told the Central News Agency that the Thai Foreign Minister's remarks should not be simplified as Thailand's diplomacy shifting from the US to China and Russia. She pointed out that strengthening relations with one party does not necessarily weaken relations with another.
She believes, "Thailand still maintains multi-layered interactions with major powers in different fields."
Tita stated that the true message Sihasak's remarks intended to convey is that Thailand will prioritize stability and predictability in its foreign relations, even above the benefits brought by the traditional Thai-US military alliance.
She said that Thailand rarely publicly opposes a major power, adding, "(Sihasak's remarks) indeed send a clear and rare signal to the Trump administration that Thailand will prioritize policy predictability in its relations with other countries."
Stephen Olson, a senior visiting fellow at the ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute in Singapore, revealed to the Central News Agency that while the Thai officials' remarks were unusually strong, dissatisfaction among regional countries with US policies that harm partners' interests has long been widespread in private.
He pointed out, "US credibility in Southeast Asia has significantly declined, but as the facts become clearer, we may see officials more willing to express these views publicly."
In recent years, the US has repeatedly adjusted its tariff policies, becoming more protectionist in trade. Coupled with US-Israeli military actions against Iran, which escalated the Middle East situation and impacted energy and commodity prices, Thailand, which is highly dependent on exports and tourism, has faced pressure.
Chen Shang-mao, a visiting scholar at Chulalongkorn University, believes that the Thai Foreign Minister's strong statement might be a "mode of operation where the decision-making circle first throws out an issue and then observes public reaction," carrying the implication of testing domestic and international sentiment.
He told the Central News Agency that rising energy prices, fertilizer costs, and living expenses have put pressure on the government, which must respond to the public.
However, scholars also point out that Thailand is unlikely to fully align with any single major power. Tita said that Thailand has always valued strategic autonomy and is unwilling to allow any major power to have excessive influence over itself. Therefore, even if relations with China deepen, Thai society is already wary of issues such as trade deficits. (Editor: Hsieh Yi-hsuan) 1150429
Choose to stand with the facts, every sponsorship you make is a force for protecting press freedom.
Download the Central News Agency "First-Hand News" APP to stay updated with the latest news.
Text, images, and videos on this website may not be reproduced, broadcast, transmitted, or used without authorization.