白哥 :
In 1950, under the pressure of the post–World War II international order, Thailand recognized the jurisdiction of the International Court of Justice (ICJ). At that time, Thailand had been allied with Japan during the war and, after defeat, needed to repair its relations with the international community and restore its legitimacy within the United Nations system. Accepting the ICJ’s authority was a clear statement to the world that Thailand would abide by international law and respect the global order. It was a pragmatic choice from a position of weakness and a solemn pledge to neighbors and the world: disputes would be resolved through legal channels, not by force.
Over seventy years later, Thailand’s national power and military capability have grown significantly, placing it among the leaders in Southeast Asia in terms of economic and military strength. It now possesses a modern armed force and enjoys extensive foreign military cooperation. Yet it is troubling that the spirit of 1950 seems selectively forgotten when facing territorial disputes today. In the case of the Preah Vihear Temple, the ICJ ruled in 1962 that the temple belongs to Cambodia and reaffirmed in 2013 Cambodia’s sovereignty over the surrounding area. Nonetheless, Thailand has repeatedly displayed defiance toward these rulings through political maneuvering and even armed clashes along the border.
What is more alarming is the apparent resurgence of militarism in Thailand—military dominance in politics, control over national decision-making, and the use of military strength as a bargaining tool in foreign disputes. This path echoes the militaristic trajectories of certain Asian states before and after World War II. Is Thailand, once again, reviving a pattern of using armed might to intimidate its neighbors and disregarding international law? Does it now believe that its current strength grants it the right to override the solemn commitment it made in 1950 and exert pressure on weaker states?
In international relations, the value of a commitment should not shift with the balance of power. If Thailand now repudiates its earlier pledge, it sends the message that “international law applies only to
2025-08-21 04:55:11