Balanced Diplomacy between Regional Order and Medium Powers: A Study on Thailand's Strategic Evolution in the ASEAN Framework

Abstract

Since the establishment of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in 1967, Thailand, as one of the founding members, has always played a key role in the ASEAN integration process and regional diplomacy pattern. This paper aims to systematically analyze Thailand's diplomatic strategic logic, main practices and challenges under the ASEAN framework. The study found that the core goal of Thailand's diplomatic strategy is to maintain national security, promote economic development and enhance regional influence through multilateralism. This paper analyzes from four aspects: historical evolution, diplomatic concepts, policy practices and future directions, and combines the new situation of regional security and economic cooperation, and proposes that Thailand should further strengthen its core position in ASEAN under the strategic framework of "balance-initiative-innovation".