Thailand-Viet Nam at 45: Greater Cooperation and Competition

In the years that followed, they emerged as new and great friends ready to face fresh challenges from the shifting strategic environment in the region and the world at large. [...] From now on, sensing the 1 A Veteran Journalist on Regional Affairs 2 importance of common stands and cooperation, they upgraded their ties in 2019 to “strengthened strategic partner”, the only such entitlement in the world. [...] Of late, Viet Nam has been featured in the Thai media and in discussions among policy makers and political pundits as the country with the greatest potential to beat Thailand in the future, if not now, both in terms of stability and economic competitiveness. [...] As succeeding ASEAN chairs in 2019 and 2020, the two countries worked in tandem to promote ASEAN centrality and cohesion. [...] The two will also work together to promote Mekong- centric identity and norms and to empower ASEAN and its members to engage and balance the role of the great powers, not siding with anyone.