![]() ![]() Today, Thailand has a trade surplus and is Vietnam's leading trading partner and investor. Thai investors have taken full advantage of political stability and the new investment atmosphere under successive governments in Hanoi since the Doi Moi policy began in earnest in 1980s. Indeed, Vietnam's attractive trade regime has propelled Thailand to forge even closer economic ties and move toward a digitised economy. Thailand's record, as a free and open economy, pales in comparison. Vietnam was one of four Asean nations that joined the Trans-Pacific Partnership. Vietnam has taken the high road, quickly expanding the country's foreign trade relations, emerging as the region's most internationally connected, with 17 free-trade agreements. The past two decades allowed both countries to fine-tune their national development programmes and activities. Most important has been Vietnam's enthusiasm to promote market-oriented economic policies. Both sides accelerated cooperation in all fields, taking advantage of Vietnam's resource-rich and large consumer market. Secondly, Thai-Vietnamese friendship is more functional, having been stabilised and strengthened by Vietnam move to join Asean in 1995. Trust and confidence gradually emerged, allowing genuine cooperation. Friendship returned when the Paris Peace Accords were signed in 1991. Throughout the next 12 years, their relations were put to a severe test. Then, once more, their relations suffered a setback after Vietnam invaded Cambodia in late 1978 and removed the Khmer Rouge government in 1979. Bilateral ties improved briefly after a new Thai military government took over in 1977. Fearing the country would be the next domino to fall to communism, Thailand co-operated with the US, dispatching troops and allowing US soldiers and aeroplanes to wage war against Vietnam from Thai soil until the fall of Saigon in 1975.Ī year later, after Vietnam was reunified, Thailand established diplomatic ties, but not long after, their relations were disturbed again when an ultra-right government took charge in Bangkok and downgraded relations due to a widespread leftist movement in Thailand. Today, his safe house in Ban Na Choke in Nakhon Phanom has become a must-see tourist attraction.īut these long-standing friendships were severely disrupted during the Cold War, starting in the 1950s, when Vietnam became Thailand's No.1 enemy due to ideological differences. He even spent time travelling through Siam during 1928-29 to recruit fighters and map out strategies to gain his country's independence. In the early 1940s, when Vietnam fought a war for independence, Thailand assisted the country's revolutionary leader, Nguyen Ai Quoc, popularly known as Uncle Ho, to fight against the French colonial power. There were also times the two countries cooperated to ward off external threats. Gone are the three centuries of conflict, when the region was plagued by territorial conquests and tribal rivalries. Three points in particular underpin the countries' unique ties.įirst of all, the days of Thailand and Vietnam fighting are over. In Asean, Vietnam is Thailand's only strategic partner. A variety of goods are on sale, and many of the vendors can communicate in Thai, with most shops accepting the baht. Photo by Pongpet Mekloy ![]() The Ben Thanh Market, which is one of the most popular places for visitors to Ho Chi Minh City.
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