A STUDY OF THAILAND’S POLICY ON DEVELOPMENT COOPERATION WITH LAO PEOPLE’S DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC DURING 1991 – 2006

Abstract

The research aims to explore Thailand's policy on development cooperation with Lao PDR with special emphasis on rationales for the development of this policy during 1991 - 2006. It also aims to assess the impact of the development cooperation between Thailand and Lao PDR especially in terms of the building of trust and confidence, as well as Thai - Lao economic partnership. The research adopted a qualitative method. Information was gathered from documentary research of both primary and secondary data sources, and from conducting in-depth interviews with key informants. The findings indicated that both external and internal environment have influence on forming Thailand’s policy on development cooperation with Lao PDR. External factors that influence the shift of Thailand foreign policy direction include the end of the Cold War, the settlement of Cambodia conflict, and the force of globalization. The end of the Cold War and the end of regional conflict shift the focus of Thailand from political security to economic security, and move toward restoration with Lao PDR. Globalization heightens interdependent relations and integrated world economy. The research found that internal environment comprising of leaders' interest, great economic outlook, and capability to share expertise with support from Japan are essential factors influence the formation of Thailand's policy on development cooperation with Lao PDR. The research found that Thailand's policy on development cooperation with Lao PDR is a tool of Thailand foreign policy in response to a new focus of national interest after the end of the Cold War. In terms of impact, the research found that with the demand-driven approach, the policy responses to the need of the Laotian government for the country development: whilst technical cooperation addressed human resource development, financial cooperation contributed to infrastructure and transportation development which entailed economic development to both countries