Change and continuity mark Southeast Asia

In terms of foreign policy, Kriengsak said he believes that Thailand, under Paetongtarn, "would like to be a good neighbor to all countries", to maintain ASEAN centrality and "to continue to work closely with China because we are very near, in terms of proximity, as well as our historical links being very strong".

Thai Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampongsa said that the ministry will continue tangible actions and build on the foundations laid by the previous administration. In December alone, Thailand hosted two regional dialogues: an informal consultation, comprising Bangladesh, China, India, Laos, Myanmar and Thailand, to enhance cooperation in addressing shared concerns such as border security and transnational crimes; and an informal consultation on the implementation of the five-point consensus on the situation in Myanmar.

Thitinan Pongsudhirak, a professor and senior fellow of the Institute of Security and International Studies at Chulalongkorn University's Faculty of Political Science, said Paetongtarn's latest diplomatic forays should be supported because Thailand has become a regional laggard with its international standing at an all-time low.

Narongsak Putthapornmongkol, president of the Thai-Chinese Chamber of Commerce, said Thailand and China enjoy a long history of friendship and trade partnership, adding that Thai businesses have always treasured the trade bonds with China.

Speaking at a forum on mutual learning between the civilizations of Thailand and China in December, Bhokin Bhalakula, former speaker of the Thai Parliament and president of the Thai-Chinese Culture and Economy Association, said that Thailand and China have a deep cultural bond, which is reflected on every detail of people's life, from cuisine to traditional holidays.

"Given that our historical long friendship has lasted for more than 2,000 years, deeper cooperation in wider fields, such as science and technology, will see a boom in the future," he said.