Reinventing Thailand: Thaksin and His Foreign Policy (Paperback) (ISBN-13: 9789814279192)

From 2001 to 2006, Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra transformed Thailand's international role from one of obscurity into a kind of regional hegemon. Thaksin's diplomatic ambitions were reflected in his myriad of grandiose foreign policy initiatives, designed to locate Thailand at the forefront of regional politics and reinstall the Thai sphere of influence over weaker neighbouring states. He abolished the traditional bending-with-the-wind foreign policy, revamped the Thai Foreign Ministry, and empowered Thai envoys through the CEO Ambassadors programme. But in this process, Thaksin was accused of exploiting foreign policy to enrich his business empire. Thaksin's reinvention of Thailand as an up-and-coming regional power was therefore tainted by conflicts of interest and the absence of ethical principles in the country's foreign policy.

Author: Pavin Chachavalpongpun
ISBN-10: 9814279196
ISBN-13: 9789814279192
Publisher: Iseas-Yusof Ishak Institute
Language: English
Published: 06/25/2010
Pages: 392
Format: Paperback
Weight: 1.26lbs
Size: 9.00h x 6.00w x 0.87d