Prioritize ASEAN and Regional Stability

2. Prioritize ASEAN and Regional Stability

Sources: Thailand's foreign policy formulation and implementation - Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign relations of Thailand - Wikipedia

Thailand is a founding member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), making it the single most important pillar of its foreign policy framework. By promoting "ASEAN Centrality," Thailand seeks to position the 10-member regional bloc as the primary security and diplomatic platform in the Indo-Pacific, ensuring that regional rules and norms are set by Southeast Asian states rather than solely by external great powers. This focus is a strategy to amplify Thailand's influence on the world stage and promote collective regional peace, security, and prosperity.

Beyond the formal organization, Thailand's regional policy emphasizes strong bilateral ties with immediate neighbors (Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Malaysia). Policy initiatives often revolve around fostering connectivity and economic development within the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS), aimed at turning land borders into trade and logistics corridors. Maintaining stability along shared, and sometimes disputed, borders remains a constant priority, as cross-border issues like transnational crime, human trafficking, and internal conflicts in neighboring states directly impact Thailand's domestic security.