SAPM Talk Ep.1 "China-US: A Major Power Game, a Test of Thai Diplomacy in the Thailand-Cambodia Equation"

SAP Talk Ep.1 had the opportunity to interview Ms. Maratee Nalita Andamo, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Information and Deputy Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, on the topic of "China-US Power Struggle: A Test of Thai Diplomacy in the Thailand-Cambodia Equation." This comes amidst widespread criticism and international scrutiny regarding the potential impact on Thailand and how the country can overcome this crisis.

@What are the differences between The Thai-Cambodian Border Situation Management Task Force , The Thai-Cambodian Joint Press Conference Center, and The Thai-Cambodian Joint Information Coordination Center?

Ms. Maratee explained that The Thai-Cambodian Border Situation Management Task Force and the Joint Press Conference Center have completely different formats for presenting information. During The Thai-Cambodian Border Situation Management Task Force period, pre-press conferences require numerous meetings with various related agencies due to the extensive details involved. This lengthy information exchange process means that by the time the information is understood and the key points are to be communicated to the public, a clear script is necessary to avoid deviating from it. In contrast, the Joint Press Conference Center has a more streamlined and efficient format for presenting news, with multiple agencies participating in meetings and presenting information in their respective areas of responsibility.

@From a Thai perspective, is the role of China and the United States in the Thailand-Cambodia issue more of an opportunity or a risk?

Ms. Maratee: I see it as definitely an opportunity. Everything in the world has risks, but to turn it into an opportunity, we need clear principles and approaches. For Thailand's side, such as in the case of the conflict between Thailand and Cambodia, we have a clear approach to resolving it between the two countries through various bilateral mechanisms, including border demarcation. Therefore, we don't need to fear or be suspicious of other countries playing a role. However, we want that role to be constructive. We want to interact with major powers, and we want those powers and other countries to be able to play a role within the ASEAN framework specifically. ASEAN is of utmost importance to us because it is an organization that promotes interaction with countries outside ASEAN in a way that benefits all ASEAN members as much as possible.

@How do the attitudes of the two superpowers affect Thailand's foreign policy decisions?

Ms. Maratee stated that the attitudes of the two superpowers do not disadvantage Thailand because foreign policy is based on the interests of the people and the country. Thailand's interactions with other countries are also based on the interests of the Thai people.

@Comparing the attitudes of China and the United States, which country has more influence and impact on the direction of Thai-Cambodian relations?

Ms. Maratee said that, in reality, other countries do not significantly affect Thailand's relations with other countries. The relationship between the two countries is a matter between those two nations alone. China is a friendly country to other ASEAN countries because it is located in the Asian region. The United States is a distant country, but it exports certain values that are accepted by many countries in the international community. Therefore, the relationship between the United States and Thailand has a long history of cooperation, especially in security matters. For example, in February 2026, the Thai military and the U.S. Army Pacific prepared for the Cobra Gold 2026 exercise.

@How should Thailand utilize regional mechanisms, such as ASEAN mechanisms, to mitigate pressure from major powers?

Ms. Maratee stated that Thailand already has mechanisms in place, but she hesitated to use the term "reducing pressure" in relation to ASEAN mechanisms. Rather, it's about strengthening the constructive role of countries outside ASEAN, particularly major powers. ASEAN has many mechanisms, and their use depends on the needs and the strength of the organization. This reflects to the international community that ASEAN can manage issues or conflicts between member states. In the context of the Thai-Cambodian border situation, a clear example of security is the ASEAN Observer System (AOT), an ASEAN mechanism established to monitor compliance with the Joint Statements.

@In January 2026, the United States announced the suspension of immigration visas for 75 countries, including Thailand. Was this seen as a warning signal regarding Thailand's diplomatic stance?

Ms. Maratee clarified that this was not the case. The US suspension concerned visas for those wishing to permanently immigrate, not other visa types such as those used for tourism, business, study, or work. Furthermore, she noted that current Thai-US relations... There is very positive momentum in expanding cooperation and promoting collaboration in more dimensions.

@Does Thailand view the roles of China and the United States in the Thai-Cambodian issue as a window of opportunity to resolve the conflict or as a source of risk that further complicates the problem?

Ms. Maratee stated that it must be viewed as an opportunity; otherwise, we will miss the chance to build upon good cooperation, such as in combating transnational crime and online scammers. Over the past two years, online scams have been a major concern in Southeast Asia. Thailand has been engaging with China to cooperate in combating this issue. This is a problem affecting many countries and cannot be solved by a single nation. Therefore, the roles and actions of the United States and China, which are similar in their desire to stop Thailand and Cambodia from quarreling for their own economic benefit, are positive. We will use this opportunity to expand cooperation with both countries.

@The Ministry of Foreign Affairs played a crucial role last year, whether it was the Thai-Cambodian border situation or negotiations with major powers. Looking ahead to 2026, what lessons has the Ministry of Foreign Affairs learned from 2025 and how will it adjust its plans for this year?

Ms. Maratee emphasized that one crucial aspect for all organizations, especially the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, is the avoidance of a "silo mentality," where each party works in isolation and focuses only on its own tasks. Because different departments have different and overlapping missions, such as the recent Thai-Cambodian situation, it reflects the need for speed and for everyone to be aware of everything simultaneously. Therefore, silos and a lack of coordination make work difficult. Another important lesson is human resource management, which should be the first thing we do in a crisis. Choosing the right people for each task is crucial; if the right individuals aren't chosen from the start, it can hinder progress and prevent us from effectively serving the public and national levels.