Bangkok: Maris Sangiampong, the former Foreign Minister, has issued a stern warning to the Thai government, urging them not to allow Thailand to become a mere pawn in the United States’ strategic maneuvering over rare earths. He highlighted the importance of employing “technological diplomacy” to maintain a balance between global superpowers.
According to Thai News Agency, Maris’s warning follows the recent signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Thailand and the US concerning cooperation in the exploration and development of rare earth elements. He emphasized that this agreement should serve as a strategic caution for Thailand, which must recognize rare earths not just as simple resources but as a critical component of 21st-century technological power, influencing advancements in AI, semiconductors, electric vehicles (EVs), and even weaponry. Maris pointed out that in the ongoing tech war between the US and China, each MOU is a diplomatic gesture that signals a country’s stance.
Maris further elaborated that Thailand should aim to be a “player” in the geopolitical arena, rather than a pawn, determining its own strategic direction. He expressed concerns that while the MOU may not be legally binding internationally, it carries significant political and strategic consequences. The US’s partnership extends beyond Thailand to include Malaysia, Vietnam, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Japan, as part of Washington’s broader strategy to reduce dependence on China. Without a clear definition of its interests, Thailand risks becoming a “necessary player with no bargaining power.”
He called for the government to adopt “tech diplomacy” as a strategic approach to balance power and propel the future economy by integrating Thai SMEs into the global production chain, particularly in the EV, electronic chip, and clean technology sectors. Maris warned against granting foreign companies special privileges without evaluating their actual benefits, as this could erode Thailand’s long-term bargaining power and contravene the constitutional mandate to utilize national resources for the “greatest benefit of the country.”
In his concluding remarks, Maris advocated for Thailand to position itself as a regional “center of balance” rather than a battleground for superpowers. He proposed the development of a “national strategy for techno-diplomacy” to safeguard technological sovereignty and forge new economic strength for the future. He emphatically stated, “Don’t let Thailand be a pawn – but make it a mover” on the global stage.