A Study on Thailands Strategy of South-South Cooperation towards Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam

Abstract

This thesis aims to identify Thailand‟s strategies of development cooperation as the country is emerging as a major donor in South-South cooperation. The term South-South cooperation refers to a paradigm in the field of international cooperation that pursues horizontal partnerships and solidarity within the South, which has long been the core of Thailand‟s foreign policy for its neighboring countries. Thus, the unique features and patterns of Thailand‟s development cooperation with Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam were thoroughly examined. In addition, this research investigated how Thailand‟s strategies of South-South cooperation have been evolving and are being threatened amidst increased tensions in Southeast Asia, due to hegemonic competition between the U.S. and China concerning economic cooperation and the South China Sea dispute. Through the analysis, it was found that the patterns of Thailand‟s development cooperation with its four recipients clearly differed from one another. Its development aid was not only based on humanitarian purposes but was also aimed at preserving a superior position in economic cooperation, as well as enhancing the country‟s status and security in Southeast Asia. Acknowledging the shortcomings of previous studies, this thesis tried to make a contribution to the field of Thailand‟s development cooperation.