China has thrown the military government of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha a curve ball with its tough negotiating stance for the high-speed railway deal. This comes after the government appeared to cleave to Beijing's interests in a series of foreign affairs decisions which critics said showed Bangkok was drawing too close to the superpower.
China's tough stance in the railways talks, ironically, gives the government a chance to assert its self-interest as other negotiating partners in the region have done, observers say.
Greater pursuit of self-interest would correct a recent skewing of the relationship in China's favour on the foreign affairs front.
Beijing emphasised the closeness of its ties to Thailand in the aftermath of the 2014 coup, in contrast to the United States and its Western allies, which urged a return to democracy.
The government appears to have warmed to the idea, eagerly courting China's investment in its megaprojects and stepping up defence drills.
More recently, it has also met China's request for the deportation of Uighur refugees who sought asylum in Thailand, and even deported two refugees who were registered with the United Nations.
Those foreign policy decisions earned criticism from human rights groups which complain the Prayut regime is drawing too close to the superpower, and risks upsetting its other allies.
China has thrown the military government of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha a curve ball with its tough negotiating stance for the high-speed railway deal. This comes after the government appeared to cleave to Beijing's interests in a series of foreign affairs decisions which critics said showed Bangkok was drawing too close to the superpower.China's tough stance in the railways talks, ironically, gives the government a chance to assert its self-interest as other negotiating partners in the region have done, observers say.Greater pursuit of self-interest would correct a recent skewing of the relationship in China's favour on the foreign affairs front.Beijing emphasised the closeness of its ties to Thailand in the aftermath of the 2014 coup, in contrast to the United States and its Western allies, which urged a return to democracy.The government appears to have warmed to the idea, eagerly courting China's investment in its megaprojects and stepping up defence drills.More recently, it has also met China's request for the deportation of Uighur refugees who sought asylum in Thailand, and even deported two refugees who were registered with the United Nations.Those foreign policy decisions earned criticism from human rights groups which complain the Prayut regime is drawing too close to the superpower, and risks upsetting its other allies.
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