Sretthaplomacy: Thai Foreign Policy in the Age of Srettha and Beyond

Although often viewed as a proxy for former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, Thailand’s foreign policy, under Srettha's leadership, was revitalized after the lost decades marked by coups and military rule. From a country known for its creativity and leadership in setting the agenda for the Southeast Asian region to one embracing quiet diplomacy, imbalanced foreign policy, and a lack of regional leadership, it is no surprise that the very first foreign policy mission of Srettha’s administration focused on rectifying and reinventing Thailand’s regional and global stature. 'Sretthaplomacy,' a term used to characterize the foreign policy approach of Srettha's administration, is far from perfect, particularly regarding Thailand’s position vis-à-vis the great powers. The close ties between Beijing and Bangkok not only persist but also seem to strengthen under the Srettha government, potentially at the expense of Bangkok's relations with Washington. Dubbed “the salesman” by Time Magazine, Srettha’s ambition to reinvent and promote Thailand’s global image—damaged by two coups in less than 20 years—was cut short sooner than he had anticipated. In a time of heightened geopolitical competition among great powers, from Kyiv to Gaza to the Myanmar crisis, the legacies of Srettha’s foreign policy will now be tested as power transitions to Paetongtarn Shinawatra.