Thailand's Domestic Political Turmoil in 1992 and Its Impact on ASEAN Integration: An Analysis of Key Events and Decisions

Main Article Content

Xiangyun Li

Abstract

This article aimed to study (1) the influence of Thailand's domestic political events in 1992, including the Black May crisis and the subsequent changes in leadership and governance, on the integration process of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN); (2) the role of Thailand’s domestic politics, particularly the economic and foreign policy decisions under the Anand Panyarachun and Chuan Leekpai administrations, in shaping ASEAN's economic integration, specifically the establishment of the ASEAN Free Trade Area (AFTA); and (3) the broader implications of Thailand's internal political dynamics on regional cooperation and stability within ASEAN. The study employed a qualitative research methodology, utilizing interpretive analysis and documentary research as the primary methods for data collection. Historical documents, official records, and archival materials from the period under examination served as the primary sources. The analysis was conducted using Descriptive statistics and Content Analysis. The research results revealed that Thailand's domestic political turmoil in 1992 had a significant impact on ASEAN's integration process. The establishment of AFTA was notably influenced by Thailand’s internal political changes, reflecting the country's proactive role in promoting regional economic development. Furthermore, the study underscored how national political developments, characterized by a mix of democratic reform efforts and military influence, shaped Thailand's foreign policy towards ASEAN, thereby affecting the trajectory of regional cooperation and integration efforts within ASEAN.

Article Details

How to Cite
Li, X. (2023). Thailand’s Domestic Political Turmoil in 1992 and Its Impact on ASEAN Integration: An Analysis of Key Events and Decisions. International Journal of Multidisciplinary in Management and Tourism, 7(2), 269–282. https://doi.org/10.14456/ijmmt.2023.18
Section
Research Articles

References

Aini, D. C. (2022). ASEAN Regional Diplomacy and Cooperation in Reducing Poverty and Building Resilience: Towards Covid-19 Recovery. Paper presented at the Universitas Lampung International Conference on Social Sciences.

Annie, K. (2017). Thailand Strategic to ASEAN (Cognition and Option)[Doctoral dissertation, Wuhan University].

Aphornsuvan, T. (2018). The Politics of Reform and the Future of Thailand. Journal of Human Rights and Peace Studies, 4(1), 143-184. Retrieved from https://so03.tci-thaijo.org/ index.php/HRPS/article/view/164220

Beleska-Spasova, E., Loykulnanta, S., & Nguyen, Q. T. (2016). Firm-specific, national and regional competitive advantages: The case of emerging market MNEs—Thailand. Asian Business & Management, 15, 264-291. https://doi.org/10.1057/s41291-016-0009-8

Bhattacharyya, A. (2010). Understanding security in regionalism framework: ASEAN maritime security in perspective. Maritime Affairs, 6(2), 72-89. https://doi.org/10.1080/ 09733159.2010.559786

Brenner, N., & Theodore, N. (2002). Cities and the geographies of “actually existing neoliberalism”. Antipode, 34(3), 349-379. https://doi.org/10.1111/1467-8330.00246

Buch‐Hansen, M. (2003). The territorialisation of rural Thailand: between localism, nationalism and globalism. Tijdschrift voor economische en sociale geografie, 94(3), 322-334.

Calvo Pardo, H. F., Freund, C. L., & Ornelas, E. (2009). The ASEAN free trade agreement: impact on trade flows and external trade barriers. World Bank Policy Research Working Paper (4960).

Chambers, P. (2009). Edgy Amity along the Mekong: Thai-Lao Relations in a Transforming Regional Equilibrium. Asian Journal of Political Science, 17(1), 89-118. https://doi.org /10.1080/02185370902767664

Denoon, D. B., & Colbert, E. (1998). Challenges for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). Pacific Affairs.

Duangratana, O. (2022). The dynamics of democratization and the implications on Thailand’s foreign policy. Journal of Liberty and International Affairs, 8(3), 241-256.

Elinoff, E. (2019). Subjects of politics: Between democracy and dictatorship in Thailand. Anthropological Theory, 19(1), 143-169.

Emmers, R. (2014). Indonesia's role in ASEAN: A case of incomplete and sectorial leadership. The Pacific Review, 27(4), 543-562.

Fairris, D., Popli, G., & Zepeda, E. (2008). Minimum wages and the wage structure in Mexico. Review of Social Economy, 66(2), 181-208.

Ganesan, N. (2001). Thailand's Relations with Malaysia and Myanmar in Post-Cold War Southeast Asia. Japanese Journal of Political Science, 2(1), 127-146. https://doi.org/ 10.1017/S1468109901000160

Gottschalk, M. (1999). The Elusive Goal of Universal Health Care in the US: Organized Labor and the Institutional Straightjacket of the Private Welfare State. Journal of Policy History, 11(4), 367-398. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0898030600003389

Guan, B. T. C. (2004). ASEAN's regional integration challenge: The ASEAN process. The Copenhagen Journal of Asian Studies, 20, 70-94. https://doi.org/10.22439/cjas.v 20i0.34

Harding, A., & Leyland, P. (2011). The constitutional system of Thailand: A contextual analysis. Bloomsbury Publishing.

Hesse, H. (2007). Monetary policy, structural break and the monetary transmission mechanism in Thailand. Journal of Asian Economics, 18(4), 649-669.

Hewison, K. (2007). Constitutions, regimes and power in Thailand. Democratization, 14(5), 928-945.

Ikemoto, Y., & Uehara, M. (2000). Income inequality and Kuznets’ hypothesis in Thailand. Asian Economic Journal, 14(4), 421-443. https://doi.org/10.1111/1467-8381.t01-1-00117

Intal, P. S. (2017). The Economic Transformation of the ASEAN Region in Comparative Perspective. ASEAN Member States: Transformation and Integration; Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia: Jakarta, Indonesia, 1.

Jatchavala, C., & Vittayanont, A. (2021). King Bhumibol Adulyadej’s Sufficiency Economy Philosophy and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder among Higher-Education Students from the Armed Conflict Region of Thailand. Kesmas: Jurnal Kesehatan Masyarakat Nasional (National Public Health Journal), 16(3), 206-212.

Kirdiş, E. (2015). The role of foreign policy in constructing the party identity of the Turkish Justice and Development Party (AKP). Turkish Studies, 16(2), 178-194.

Kwon, H. Y., & Pontusson, J. (2010). Globalization, labour power and partisan politics revisited. Socio-economic review, 8(2), 251-281.

Lee, S.-H. (2022). ASEAN's economic security and regional economic cooperation: Past, present, and future. Asian Journal of Comparative Politics, 7(1), 10-28.

Ma, Y. (2015). The Impact of the Thai Political Situation on ASEAN Geopolitics. Journal of Wenshan University, 28(2), 109-112.

Maisrikrod, S. (1992). Thailand's Two General Elections in 1992. Democracy Sustained.

Maisrikrod, S. (1993). Thailand 1992: Repression and return of democracy. Southeast Asian Affairs.

McCargo, D. (2020). Fighting for virtue: Justice and politics in Thailand. Cornell University Press.

McDorman, T. L. (1993). The 1991 Constitution of Thailand. Washington International Law Journal, 3(2), 257-298

Mills, M. B. (1999). Enacting solidarity: Unions and migrant youth in Thailand. Critique of Anthropology, 19(2), 175-192.

Narine, S. (1998). ASEAN and the Management of Regional Security. Pacific Affairs.

Neher, C. D. (1992). Political succession in Thailand. Asian Survey, 32(7), 585-605.

Neher, C. D. (1996). The transition to democracy in Thailand. Asian Perspective.

Ockey, J. (2015). Thai political families: The impact of political inheritance. TRaNS: Trans-Regional and-National Studies of Southeast Asia, 3(2), 191-211.

Odiemo, F. A., & Okoth, P. G. (2020). Nature Of Media Diplomacy In Influencing Foreign Policy Decision Making Process in Kenya. Kenya's Foreign Policy.

Ren, Z. Y. (2019). Thailand's position, role, and development trends in the process of ASEAN regional economic integration. Crossroads: Southeast Asian Studies, 3, 70-75.

Sharma, S. C., & Chua, S. Y. (2000). ASEAN: economic integration and intra-regional trade. Applied Economics Letters, 7(3), 165-169.

Sopranzetti, C. (2016). Thailand's relapse: the implications of the May 2014 coup. The Journal of Asian Studies, 75(2), 299-316. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0021911816000462

Syarip, R. (2020). Defending foreign policy at home: Indonesia and the ASEAN-based Free Trade Agreements. Journal of Current Southeast Asian Affairs, 39(3), 405-427. https://doi.org/10.1177/186810342093555

Taguchi, H. (2013). Trade integration of Thailand with Mekong region: An assessment using gravity trade model. International Journal of Development Issues, 12(2), 175-187. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJDI-02-2013-0015

Zhou, S. L. (2008). A study on the relationship between Thailand and the Association of South-east Asian Nations in the 1960-1980s[Doctoral dissertation, Guizhou Normal University].