One year after taking office on an
overwhelming electoral mandate,
Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has
parlayed her solidifying domestic standing
for growing international credibility.
While her government’s foreign policy
directions are still inchoate and tentative,
Yingluck’s priority focus on building
up neighbouring relationships is clear.
Alongside Myanmar’s political transition
and economic reforms, Thailand’s new
focus on strengthening relationships
with its immediate neighbours reflects
the growing strategic importance of
Southeast Asia to the relationship
between major regional and global
powers, including India and China.