Thailand-Vietnam Relations Are Dynamic and Increasingly Strategic

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Thai scholar Kavi Chongkittavorn. (Photo: Pham Hai/VNA Correspondent in Thailand)

This assessment was made by Thai scholar Kavi Chongkittavorn - a leading expert on regional affairs - in an interview with Vietnam News Agency correspondents in Bangkok ahead of the official visit to Thailand by General Secretary and State President To Lam and his spouse.

According to the Thai scholar, this dynamism is reflected in the fact that the two countries elevated their ties to a Strategic Partnership in 2013, an Enhanced Strategic Partnership in 2019, and a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership last year. Both nations place strong emphasis on sustainable economic development in their development philosophies, with Thailand promoting the Bio-Circular-Green (BCG) economy model and Vietnam pursuing its green growth strategy.

This cooperation has become even more important amid the current energy transition. With the anticipated official visit of General Secretary and State President To Lam to Thailand, the two countries are seeking new areas of cooperation to further elevate bilateral relations to a new height.

Scholar Kavi noted that the most important aspect of Thailand-Vietnam cooperation is their shared effort to overcome great-power competition, particularly in mainland Southeast Asia. Each country possesses its own diplomacy and unique characteristics. Together, they can help navigate relations with major powers, as both oppose any attempt to establish hegemony in the region. When they speak with a common voice, it will positively contribute to the central role of Association of Southeast Asian Nations.

Kavi also observed that both Thailand and Vietnam are important countries in the Mekong sub-region. Therefore, the two nations can promote the prosperity and sustainability of the Mekong River and surrounding areas, while ensuring good governance and environmental protection.

Economically, the two countries are important links in regional and global supply chains and should therefore further strengthen connectivity and integration with other regional frameworks. Thailand is Vietnam’s seventh-largest trading partner globally and Vietnam’s leading trading partner within ASEAN. The two countries should step up the implementation of the “Three Connections” strategy to promote investment and connectivity at all levels.

Advanex Vietnam Co., Ltd., located in Phuc Dien Industrial Park in Hai Phong, specializes in manufacturing high-quality springs (coil and stamped types) and mechanical components, supplying factories with an annual production capacity of 600 million components. (Photo: Danh Lam/VNA)

Scholar Kavi Chongkittavorn also highlighted another important area in bilateral relations: people-to-people exchanges. The Vietnamese community of 100,000 people has played an important role in promoting the economy of northeastern Thailand. More than one million tourists from both countries traveled between the two nations last year. Thailand and Vietnam are also engaging in exchanges at higher levels, such as joint research among universities and the exploration of high technologies.

Scholar Kavi assessed that the visit of General Secretary and State President To Lam to Thailand comes at a highly appropriate time for several reasons. First, Vietnam’s economy, with stable growth of around 8%, has elevated the country’s position as an economic driver in Southeast Asia. The visit by General Secretary and State President To Lam is significant because it will further advance the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership with Thailand.

Second, as the two largest economies in mainland Southeast Asia, closer relations between Vietnam and Thailand will have an impact on peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region. Finally, the two countries are implementing the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific across all priority areas. Thailand-Vietnam maritime security cooperation has continued to strengthen and diversify through frequent port visits and joint training activities. Strengthening regional supply chain structures, including those identified within the Mekong and ASEAN cooperation frameworks, has also been prioritized.

Scholar Kavi concluded that amid geopolitical instability in many parts of the world, it is extremely important for Thailand and Vietnam to move forward together, align their strategic perspectives, and at the same time safeguard each side’s strategic autonomy. Overall, the visit is expected to provide even stronger momentum for Thailand-Vietnam relations.

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