The Greater Eurasia-Belt and Road Initiative and Eurasian Economic Union: Thailand’s policies and prospects

Abstract

This article studies the regional integration of Thailand as part of Eurasia via the formation of economic relations with new international organizations. These organizations include the Eurasian Economic Union and the Belt and Road Initiative from China. This integration occurs under a competitive yet partnered relationship between the Great Powers of Russia, China, and the United States of America. In this study, Geopolitical, Neorealism, and Balance of Power theories are used to inform the analytical framework. The result suggests that Eurasia is a region that many powerful countries want to occupy and have influence over. Historically, Russia and China are two countries that have occupied and tried to establish cooperation in the region. On the other hand, the United States of America has implemented a containment policy against China and Russia in order to protect the stability and economic security of their alliances. Thailand is also interested in being part of Eurasia for economic reasons, particularly in order to develop its industrial sector for the Thailand 4.0 initiative by gaining new markets from China and other countries in the Eurasian Economic Union. Moreover, through the infrastructure created from their cooperation with China, Thailand can use China’s Silk Road Economic Belt to reach other countries in the Eurasian region. However, Thailand still needs to consider the role and influence of the Unites States of America in the Eurasia and Asia-Pacific region.