Research Interests：

1. Domestic politics and international relations of Thailand
2. Politics of mainland Southeast Asia and interstate relations
3. Regional integration and ASEAN

Research Overview：

In the first project, I will be looking at key institutions in Thailand and how they will shape a new political order particularly after the much revered King Bhumobil Adulyadej passes from the scene, particularly the monarchy and the military. I will also take into account the importance of the emerging red shirt movement and the impact on democratisation in Thailand. In the second project, I will be looking at political reforms in Myanmar, the role of the military in the civilianised era and how the government will reconcile with some ethnic insurgents. TOPIC 1 What did the 2006 military coup show us? It demonstrated that the crux of the Thai crisis is far more serious and much wider in scope than had previously been thought. The monarchy is surely not a victim in the protracted conflict, but the root cause and continuing factor that has eroded Thai politics. The coup set in motion more prejudicial uses of the lèse-majesté law, and in the process, has led to more political prisoners. It has also shredded the military into several segments, turning generals into desperate royalists who continue to live off the monarchy in order to survive. Issues of violence in the Thai south and the Thai-Cambodian dispute became greatly intensified in the age of militarized politics. The coup also produced unique colour-coded politics and created crises of legitimacy. TOPIC 2 It is fair to say that the Thai-Cambodian relationship has been shaped and reshaped by domestic factors both in Thailand and Cambodia. Issues in bilateral relations were, unfortunately, politicized, including the overlapping territorial claims in the areas surrounding the Preah Vihear temple, or known in Thai as Phra Wihan. The Thai crisis has led to a series of armed clashes between the two countries’ armies, from 2008 to 2011. The use of military force to settle a dispute became a preferred measure on the part of the two countries. This threatened not only bilateral relations between Cambodia and Thailand but regional peace and stability. The tension caused primarily by the fallout from Thai domestic political infighting prompted widespread criticism and stirred up a sense of nationalism among the Cambodians and the Thais. Moreover, the border dispute has re-opened the question of ownership of Temple of Preah Vihear which compelled Cambodia to call on the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to reinterpret the ruling of 1962. What did the 2006 military coup show us? It demonstrated that the crux of the Thai crisis is far more serious and much wider in scope than had previously been thought. The monarchy is surely not a victim in the protracted conflict, but the root cause and continuing factor that has eroded Thai politics. The coup set in motion more prejudicial uses of the lèse-majesté law, and in the process, has led to more political prisoners. It has also shredded the military into several segments, turning generals into desperate royalists who continue to live off the monarchy in order to survive. Issues of violence in the Thai south and the Thai-Cambodian dispute became greatly intensified in the age of militarized politics. The coup also produced unique colour-coded politics and created crises of legitimacy. TOPIC II It is fair to say that the Thai-Cambodian relationship has been shaped and reshaped by domestic factors both in Thailand and Cambodia. Issues in bilateral relations were, unfortunately, politicized, including the overlapping territorial claims in the areas surrounding the Preah Vihear temple, or known in Thai as Phra Wihan. The Thai crisis has led to a series of armed clashes between the two countries’ armies, from 2008 to 2011. The use of military force to settle a dispute became a preferred measure on the part of the two countries. This threatened not only bilateral relations between Cambodia and Thailand but regional peace and stability. The tension caused primarily by the fallout from Thai domestic political infighting prompted widespread criticism and stirred up a sense of nationalism among the Cambodians and the Thais. Moreover, the border dispute has re-opened the question of ownership of Temple of Preah Vihear which compelled Cambodia to call on the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to reinterpret the ruling of 1962.

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