China Comes to Thailand

China’s size and increasing economic might at times could be intimidating for other nations in Southeast Asia, including Thailand, despite their complex connections since ancient times. “Beijing is simultaneously increasing its military and cultural influence in Thailand, trying to wean Bangkok away from Washington and other foreign governments while expanding China's own reach southward,” writes Richard S. Ehrlich for the Asia Sentinel. Ethnic Chinese occupy many prominent posts throughout Thai society, and Chinese investors are behind major development projects: construction of high-speed trains and a China City Complex that will employ 70,0000 Chinese, sell tariff¬-free products to the Thai and sell “made in Thailand” products overseas. In recent years, Chinese policies and restive Thai politics have ruffled the US-Thailand military alliance. For example, after the 2006 Thai coup, the US withheld military aid, while China handed over double the blocked US amount. A cable released by WikiLeaks suggests that the US is increasingly feeling competition with China in commerce and diplomacy with Thailand. – YaleGlobal