‘We love them both’: Thailand seeks balance between US and China

BANGKOK – Thailand has no problems with either China or the United States and should maintain a balance between the two major powers by pursuing mutually beneficial cooperation, the air force chief said on Monday.

Air Chief Marshal Seksan Khantha, commander-in-chief of the Royal Thai Air Force, said Thailand should not view its relations with Washington and Beijing as a choice between taking sides, but should seek areas of common interest with both countries.

“There is no such thing as neutrality, but we must maintain a balance,” Seksan said when asked about Thailand’s position between the two powers.

He compared the situation to having two powerful friends, saying Thailand could maintain relationships with both by choosing areas of cooperation that benefit each side.

“Thailand has no problems with anyone. So the best approach is to love them both,” he said.

Seksan made the remarks at the presentation of his policy priorities for 2027-2028 at Navaminda Kasatriyadhiraj Royal Air Force Academy on 12 October.

He said decisions on balancing relations with major powers, including cooperation in military, economic and political affairs, must be made in the interests of the government and the country.

Seksan also highlighted growing geopolitical risks, citing the Russia-Ukraine war, rising defence spending among Nato members and disruptions to military supply chains that have increased equipment costs and complicated logistics.

He said strategic chokepoints, including the Strait of Hormuz, the Strait of Malacca and Taiwan, could further aggravate global crises and supply chain disruptions, making it necessary for governments to reassess their ability to rely on domestic resources.

On regional security, Seksan warned that threats along Thailand’s borders were becoming more complex, with the increasing use of missile systems, drones and electromagnetic operations. Lessons from clashes along the Thai-Cambodian border showed that future confrontations could become more difficult as opposing forces combine conventional weapons with modern technology.

He also pointed to the expansion of major-power influence in neighbouring countries, including the construction of an airbase at Ban Keun in Laos, and said Thailand needed to protect its national interests without becoming a tool of any major power.

The challenge, he said, was to maintain a balance that would prevent Thailand from being placed in a difficult position in the event of war or natural disasters.