Thailand's Resource Diplomacy in Indochina and Myanmar

Thailand has depleted much of its own timber, minerals, and fish, and is unable to meet its gas and petroleum demands through domestic production. Since the government of Chatichai Choon haven, it has sought to gain access to the natural resources of Indochina and Myanmar. Thailand sees itself as the future economic hub of mainland Southeast Asia, integrally linked to Indochina and Myanmar as a source of raw materials, and serving as a bridge between these countries and the world economy. But its natural resource management at home and abroad has been so wantonly wasteful and exploitative that, given the history of enmity between Thailand and its neighbours, this practice calls into question its continued access to their resources, as well as its goal of regional leadership.