Trump’s call signals closer ties
Invite marks change in tone from Obama
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has accepted an invitation to visit the United States made by US President Donald Trump on Sunday night in what local observers say is an important sign of stepped-up security cooperation between the two countries.
Mr Trump extended the offer by phone and Gen Prayut suggested the newly elected US leader reciprocate with a similar trip to Bangkok, the government said yesterday.
This would make Gen Prayut the first Thai prime minister to make an official visit to the US since 2006, when a Royal Thai Army coup ousted Thaksin Shinawatra from power. Until now he has only attended international meetings there, including the UN General Assembly and the US-Asean Summit.
The offer marks a dramatic change in tone from the former administration of Barack Obama which, despite giving much attention to Asia, refused to afford such prestige to the leader of a non-elected government. Gen Prayut’s predecessor, elected premier Yingluck Shinawatra, never received a similar offer from the US.
Mr Trump and Gen Prayut “underscored their commitment to the longstanding alliance between the United States and Thailand, which actively contributes to peace and stability in the AsiaPacific region”, the White House said in a statement after Sunday’s call.
The US President’s Office added: “President Trump affirmed the commitment of the United States to playing an active and leading role in Asia, in close cooperation with partners and allies like Thailand, and invited Prime Minister Prayut to the White House.”
Mr Trump reportedly made phone calls to the leaders of Thailand, the Philippines and Singapore shortly after the 30th Asean Summit wrapped up in Manila on Saturday. Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte chaired the summit and Singapore’s Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong was also in attendance.
The US leader cited America’s longstanding relationships with the three countries and described a commitment to collaborate on trade and investment, peace and security, and other regional and global challenges as common issues.
“President Trump and Prime Minister Prayut expressed a strong shared interest in strengthening the trade and economic ties between the two countries,” the White House statement continued.
Gen Prayut commended the “184-year relationship between the two countries and affirmed that Thailand stands ready to support and promote bilateral cooperation in all fields, particularly trade, investment and security”, according to a statement read out by deputy government spokesman Werachon Sukondhapatipak.
The Thai premier also vowed to “support the constructive role of the United States in maintaining peace and security in the region”, Lt Gen Werachon said.
The news came as little surprise to many academics.
Assoc Prof Panitan Wattanayagorn, adviser to the minister of defence and a political science lecturer at Chulalongkorn University, however, said he expects to see more security collaboration as there have been numerous bilateral exchanges and joint meetings of high-ranking security officials in recent months.
They are preparing for new strategic policies on both sides, he said.
“Some governments are [fixated] on democracy and human rights. When the Trump administration shifts its focus from those issues, it can be seen as a change in policy,” he said.
A source from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the two leaders also touched on regional issues during the phone call. Mr Trump praised Gen Prayut for his leadership skill in bringing progress to Thailand and expressed interest in sending teams to the country to foster stronger economic ties, the source said.
Meanwhile, US ambassador to Thailand Glyn T Davies met Gen Prayut on Thursday evening seeking Thailand’s support in helping resolve tensions on the Korean Peninsula before the premier left to attend the regional summit.
Asean ministers on Friday issued a statement expressing “grave concern over the escalation of tension on the Korean Peninsula, including North Korea’s two nuclear tests in 2016 and subsequent ballistic missile launches”. The urged selfrestraint and a de-escalation of tension.
Thammasat University director of Asean Studies Prapat Thepchatree said he doubted this was the main reason for Mr Trump extending the hand of friendship to Gen Prayut.
He said Mr Trump may have been advised to strengthen ties with Asia, Asean and particularly Thailand in light of dropping Trans-Pacific Partnership trade deals.
Washington appears to be carefully reshaping its overall strategy to maintain its dominance in the region, limit the influence of China and cement ties with its Asian allies, Mr Prapat said.
US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson is due to meet Asean foreign ministers on Thursday in Washington.
Media reports claim Mr Trump may attend the next Asean Summit in November.