WHAT CAN THAKSIN BRING TO THE TABLE?
Although many have mentioned that Anwar’s resolution is unprecedented in ASEAN’s historical past, the assembly of casual advisors is sort of frequent on a worldwide scale.
The concept is straightforward: get retired individuals with intensive information and expertise to supply insights and recommendation on a casual foundation. You have entry to totally different concepts and views with out having to decide to taking motion.
In varied locations and contexts, one of these physique is usually known as a “council of elders”. Members of those teams usually have private networks that transcend the restrictive paperwork of established bureaucracies and procedures. This is a very helpful issue, which many individuals could not absolutely perceive.
When it involves the difficulty of Myanmar, Thaksin is especially beneficial.
He has good connections with the Myanmar junta and is aware of all its vital figures. Thailand and Myanmar share an extended border, which places him ready to make issues occur.
Furthermore, most have a tendency to miss the truth that Thaksin has good connections in Cambodia, which is broadly seen in ASEAN circles as too near China. Aside from an allegedly shut relationship with former chief Hun Sen, Cambodia’s strongman, Thaksin can be identified to have high-level contacts in Singapore and Brunei.
Thaksin may additionally promote Thailand’s “Six Countries, One Destination” idea, modeled on Europe’s Schengen visa, which might enable vacationers to go to Malaysia, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, Laos and Brunei on a single visa.
Border-related points, equivalent to human and drug trafficking, in addition to highway, rail and customs hyperlinks to stimulate development and commerce exercise, are additionally excessive on Malaysia’s agenda. For instance, Malaysia is keen to start development of a brand new bridge connecting Sungai Kolok district in Narathiwat to Rantau Panjang in Kelantan throughout the subsequent three years.
Thaksin is nicely positioned to supply the required political lubrication in all these areas.
