Positive Factors in Thailand–Malaysia Relations: A Study from State and Civil Society Perspectives in the Southern Border Provinces

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Abstract

               This research article aims to investigate the positive factors influencing Thai-Malaysian relations across political and security, economic, and socio-cultural dimensions. Additionally, it seeks to compare the perspectives on these relational factors between the state sector and civil society in the Southern border provinces. Employing a qualitative approach, field data was collected through in-depth interviews seven key informants, comprising officials from the Thailand Malaysia Border Coordination Office (TMBCO), academics, representatives of non-governmental organizations (NGOs), Thai migrant workers in Malaysia, and student leaders. The findings reveal that the positive factors emerge from the synergy of three dimensions 1) Political and Security Dimension: Driven by the robust mechanism of the Thai Malaysian Border Coordination Office (TMBCO) and strong interpersonal relationships.  2) Economic Dimension: Characterized by mutual interdependence through the "Tom Yum economy" and cross-border employment opportunities. 3) Socio-cultural Dimension: Rooted in a shared "Malay-Muslim" identity and kinship networks that serve as cross-border social capital. The comparison shows that both sectors agree that the economy is key mechanism, and that cross-border movement should be made easier, but they differ in that the state views the border area primarily as a security-oriented "Boundary" defined by nationality, whereas civil society perceives it as a socially fluid "Frontier" woven through kinship and religion; a perception gap regarding the role of state mechanisms was also found. These positive factors may help explain why the internal conflict in the southern border provinces has not escalated into an inter-state conflict, although they do not mean that the internal problems have disappeared. The research recommends that the state shift its role toward that of a facilitator, enhance the quality of life and economic development, promote standard Malay language proficiency, and further facilitating cross-border trade, drawing on existing cooperation such as the Malaysia-Thailand Joint Development Area as a reference.