1. Student's full name: Tran Hong Linh 2. Gender: Male
3. Date of birth: March 21, 1997 4. Place of birth: Mong Cai, Quang Ninh
5. Student recognition decision No. 2705/2020/QD-XHNV dated December 24, 2020 of the President of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Hanoi.
6. Changes in training process: No.
7. Thesis topic: Thailand - US relations from 2001 to 2020
8. Major: International Relations; Code: 8310601.01
9. Scientific advisor: Dr. Ngo Tuan Thang, Faculty of International Studies, University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Hanoi.
10. Summary of thesis results:
The thesis focuses on analyzing the movement, positive points and limitations in the relationship between Thailand and the US in a number of areas including politics - diplomacy, defense - security and economy from 2001 to 2020 on the basis of considering endogenous and exogenous factors affecting the bilateral relationship between the two countries. Clarifying the characteristics, changes in the Thailand - US relationship and the impact of this relationship on two subjects in international relations, Thailand and the US, on Southeast Asian countries and China.
The 21st century has witnessed the rise and strong development of countries such as China, the Russian Federation, Japan, etc. That has made the world political situation more multipolar. Relations between countries and territories are increasingly developing, making the interests of countries intertwined and complicated. International relations in the new context have the characteristics of both cooperation and struggle for coexistence and development. In that context, Thailand-US relations have also changed significantly and become more balanced than in previous periods. Thailand-US relations in the period 2001-2020 had many ups and downs, developing well in the early stages under former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, declining sharply in the stages after the two coups in 2006 and 2014, and being strengthened again since 2017 after Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha's visit to the US with the efforts of both sides. Over the past two decades, Thailand has gradually become more assertive and independent of the US in its political decisions. However, with its “bamboo diplomacy” policy, Thailand still tries to balance to take advantage of the huge support from the two largest powers in the world, the US and China.
The Thailand-US relationship is greatly influenced by a number of factors such as the world political situation, the China factor and there are cracks due to two military coups. This relationship brings many positive impacts to the two countries and the region when promoting bilateral and multilateral cooperation mechanisms in Southeast Asia, contributing to restraint and creating political balance with other powers. For Vietnam, in addition to the common interests with ASEAN countries, the Thailand-US relationship is a typical case for Vietnam to study and draw policy lessons to have a suitable direction for its country. In addition to the positive aspects, the Thailand-US relationship also brings a potential risk of fierce competition between the powers. This will greatly affect the policies and relations between ASEAN countries, which are medium and small countries, always more or less affected by the policies of major countries.
11. Practical applicability: Based on the analysis and assessment, recommendations can be made for Vietnam's foreign policy with the US and Thailand as well as references in relations with other major countries.
12. Further research directions: To expand this research, the thesis recommends taking a closer look at the Thailand-US-China relations in the 21st century according to the theories of the “strategic triangle” to see more clearly the movement of the triangle sides (bilateral relations), thereby clarifying the motives and making predictions about future fluctuations.
13. Published works related to the thesis:
“US-Thailand Political Relations under President Barack Obama”, Proceedings of the 2021 Scientific Conference for Young Cadres and Postgraduate Students (University of Social Sciences and Humanities), Hanoi National University Publishing House.
INFORMATION ON MASTER'S THESIS
1. Full name: Tran Hong Linh 2. Sex: Male
3. Date of birth: March 21, 1997 4. Place of birth: Quang Ninh
5. Admission decision number: 2705/2020/QD-XHNV Dated: December 24, 2020
6. Changes in academic process: None.
7. Official thesis title: Thailand – United States relations from 2001 to 2020
8. Major: International Relations 9. Code: 8310601.01
10. Supervisors: Dr. Ngo Tuan Thang, University of Social Sciences and Humanities - Vietnam National University, Hanoi
11. Summary of the findings of the thesis:
The thesis analyzes the movement, positive aspects, and limitations in the relations between Thailand and the United States in multiple fields, including politics - diplomacy, defense - security, and economy, from 2001 to 2020 taking into account endogenous and exogenous factors influencing the bilateral relations between the two countries. It clarifies the characteristics and changes in Thailand-United States relations, as well as their impact on actors in international associations, including Thailand, the United States, Southeast Asian countries, and China.
The 21st century witnessed the rise and robust development of nations such as China, the Russian Federation, Japan, etc. This results in a more multipolar global political landscape. The relations between countries and territories are deepening, causing intertwinement and complications in countries' interests. International relations in the new context is characterized by cooperation and struggle for coexistence and development. In that perspective, the relations between Thailand and the United States have morphed significantly and have become more balanced than in previous periods. Thailand- United States relations experienced many flunctuations and changes between the period of 2001-2020. Initially, it flourished well under former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, but after two coups in 2006 and 2014, the relations of the two countries have declined dramatically. After the visit to the United States by Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha in 2017, the relations of the two countries were once again consolidated, due to the efforts of both sides. Over the past two decades, Thailand has become more assertive and independent from the United States in political decisions. However, with its "bamboo diplomacy" policy, Thailand continues to pursue balance in order to benefit from the enormous support of the world's two most influential powers, the United States and China.
Thailand-United States relations are heavily influenced by several factors, including the international political situation, the Chinese factor, and the rifts caused by two military coups. Promoting bilateral and multilateral cooperation mechanisms in Southeast Asia has positively impacted the two countries and the region, thereby helping to restrain and create a political balance with other large countries. In addition to the common interests with ASEAN countries, the Thailand-United States relations serves model case for Vietnam to study and draw policy lessons from in order to develop an appropriate direction for the country. On the other hand, the Thailand-United States relations have the potential to spark fierce rivalry between great powers. Thus, significantly impact the policies and relations between ASEAN countries, which are small and medium-sized, and are always affected to some degree by the policies of large countries.
12. Practical applicability, if any: Based on the analysis and evaluation of the thesis, we can draw implications and recommendations for Vietnam's foreign policy with the US, Thailand, and other countries.
13. Further research directions, if any: To further develop this research, the thesis suggests examining the Thai-American-Chinese relations in pairs in the 21st century in light of the “strategic triangle” theories. Further investigate the movement of the sides of the triangle (bilateral relationships) can provide insights on motives and predict future fluctuations.
14. Thesis-related publications:
“United States - Thailand political relations under President Barack Obama”, Proceedings of the scientific conference of young cadres and graduate students in 2021 (University of Social Sciences and Humanities), Publisher: Vietnam National University, Hanoi.
