Thailand maneuvers between the U.S., EU, and China to revive its own dynamics

On May 16, 2025, Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra made an official visit to Hanoi, the first by a Thai leader to Vietnam since 2014. The visit elevated bilateral relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership and set a goal to increase trade to $25 billion, focusing on energy and agriculture cooperation.

Thailand formally supported Vietnam’s sovereignty in the South China Sea, implicitly opposing China’s territorial claims. This was a deliberate signal to China that Thailand retains maneuverability and is not an unconditional ally of Beijing, aligning with Bangkok’s broader balancing logic.

On May 19, Prime Minister Shinawatra held talks with Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, the first such meeting since 2005. The two countries upgraded relations to a strategic partnership, agreeing to expand military-industrial cooperation and joint military exercises.