Finally and as expected, Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha has named his military-school classmate Thanasak Patimaprakorn the new foreign minister. Thanasak is also the supreme commander of the Thai Armed Forces.

The appointment comes amid growing geopolitical tensions in many parts of the world, including this region. Major world and regional powers are competing to secure their places in a new and fast-changing political landscape. Countries in Southeast Asia are engaged in disputes with the regional powerhouse, China, over territory in the South China Sea. The rising tensions have led to sporadic clashes between maritime forces.

Yet now is not the right time to employ military means to deal with this situation. And nor should Thailand be viewing it narrowly from a security perspective.

It is true that the United States has increased its presence in Asia-Pacific, apparently in a bid to contain China’s influence and protect its own interests in the region. But no security expert or analyst has indicated that the U.S., China or the countries of this region would resort to military force to handle their disputes. To the contrary, all countries are calling on the disputants to use peaceful means and international law to solve their differences. This requires skillful diplomacy and a sensitive “personal” touch, not a military mentality with a narrow focus on security concerns.

Another important issue we must heed is the increased level of cooperation and interdependency between countries of this region and across the world. The U.S. and China might be rivals in some areas, but they also enjoy a mutually beneficial relationship, notably in economic terms.

China’s economy would grind to a halt without the U.S. to buy its goods, while Americans rely on the cheap supplies. Countries whose economies are so heavily interdependent are unlikely to wage war against each other.

A similar picture exists for countries in ASEAN, of which Thailand is a key member. ASEAN member-states such as Vietnam and the Philippines are engaged in territorial disputes with China but are simultaneously reliant on economic cooperation with the regional powerhouse. China is major investor and trade partner for countries throughout Southeast Asia.

And despite the longstanding territorial disputes, China has been a strategic partner to ASEAN members for more than a decade. The kind of intensive cooperation and close relationship that strategic partnership entails requires that ASEAN members view China from a broader perspective than mere security concerns. This broad vision of foreign relations is especially important for Thailand given our location at the hub of the region and our influence within ASEAN.

Thailand enjoys good relations with both the U.S. and China at a time when these superpowers are negotiating a delicate relationship marked by conflict and cooperation. Thailand also helps coordinate relations between ASEAN and China where, likewise, cooperation and conflict co-exist.

In this situation, Thailand needs a foreign minister who has a firm grasp on the broad scope of foreign affairs and whose diplomatic strategy reflects the vital role this country can play in securing peace and progress for the whole region. The new foreign minister’s military background may be useful in this regard, but it is not enough.

(Editorial, The Nation)

(Asia News Network)