Foreign friends have put some pressure on Thailand in recent days. The United States has sent a special envoy to try to lobby the government to change its direction on North Korea. The ambassador of Israel went to the media to seek public opinion on the resurgent question of the status of Jerusalem. Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai and the military regime have been quietly diplomatic about the issues. In both cases, however, the answer has been a polite "no".
In both cases, this has been the correct response. The two issues have no common link at all, even though US President Donald Trump is their single catalyst. He sent envoy Joseph Yun to ask that the regime reduce or cut entirely diplomatic and trade relations with the Pyongyang regime. Israeli Ambassador Meir Shlomo wants Thailand to follow the US in recognising Jerusalem as the capital of his country.
For the moment, the government is correct in telling both the US and Israel that no policy change is necessary or likely. So far as North Korea is concerned, Thailand's long-standing foreign policy is to encourage diplomatic relations and legal trade. As for Israel and Jerusalem, Thailand must correctly consider competing disputes and claims over the holy city. In current circumstances, rejecting the claims of the Palestinian people on Palestine is out of the question.
Neither of these decisions can be considered political favouritism. On the contrary, Thailand has been victimised by North Korea. It was the target of at least one major Palestinian Liberation Organisation terrorist attack. But it is unacceptable that Thailand contribute to the current efforts to polarise the current, ongoing crises over Pyongyang's nuclear weapons and peace in the Middle East.
On the issue of North Korea, only the US has badgered the government and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Other countries just as deeply involved -- especially China, South Korea and Japan -- are happy with the current Thai policy. Thailand has repeatedly condemned North Korean development and tests of missiles and nuclear weapons. Despite the pressure from Washington, even a total cut in relations would contribute nothing and arguably even inflame the bellicose situation.
Thai expatriates work in Israel and many Israeli tourists come to Thailand. The two countries have been good diplomatic, social and cultural friends and have healthy and regular if unspectacular trade. But Thailand has also officially recognised the Palestinian cause, and supports the right of Palestinians to a homeland. Following the US lead in taking sides over Jerusalem would negate the small amount of good the kingdom has achieved it extending friendship both to Israel and the Palestinians.
Thailand has played a more important role in attempts to convince North Korea to adopt a civilised and constructive world outlook. Bilateral relations with Pyongyang have been rocky to say the least.
North Korea has repeatedly taken advantage of Thailand in criminal enterprises, including in drug and arms trafficking, and smuggling of banned nuclear technology. Diplomatic relations are usually described as "correct", and certainly are not warm. There is little trade, because North Korea often refuses to pay its bills. Loxley Pacific, which set up North Korea's mobile phone service only to be kicked out, remains the sole administrator of the North Korea's top internet domain, .kp, which is not a major profit maker.
By maintaining the carefully established status quo on North Korea and Jerusalem, Thailand upsets no applecarts but stays in a position to help if requested. Behind the scenes, for example, Thailand has helped to bring North Korea into the Asia-Pacific community through the Asean Regional Forum. The understated "no" replies to Mr Yun and Ambassador Shlomo are the correct responses.
