Malaysia–Thailand relations explained

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Mission1:Malaysian Embassy, Bangkok
Mission2:Thai Embassy, Kuala Lumpur
Envoytitle1:Ambassador
Envoy1:Jojie Samuel MC Samuel
Envoytitle2:Ambassador
Envoy2:Lada Phumas

Malaysia–Thailand relations refer to bilateral foreign relations between the two neighbouring countries, Malaysia and Thailand. Thailand has an embassy in Kuala Lumpur, and consulate-general offices in George Town and Kota Bharu.[1] Malaysia maintains an embassy in Bangkok[2] and a consulate-general in Songkhla. During Mahathir Mohamad's second term as the Prime Minister of Malaysia from 2018 to 2020, he made four visits to Thailand.[3] [4] [5] [6]

Malaysia and Thailand usually co-operate in areas such as trade and investment, security and defence, education and vocational training, youth and sports, tourism, connectivity and socio-economic development in border areas.[7] [8] [9] Due to the ethnically-Malay Pattani separatists in three southern provinces of Thailand, previously there have been blatant claims by certain politicians in Thailand that some parties in Malaysia have taken an interest in the cause of their opponents in the war, which is vehemently refuted by the latter government as Malaysia has since been assisting in peace talks between the Thai government and separatists.[10] [11]

History

Chinese protection of Malays against Siam

See main article: Malacca Sultanate. The Sultanate of Malacca voluntarily became a protectorate and tributary state to Ming dynasty China, which protected Malacca against its enemies with military force, allowing the Muslim Sultanate to prosper. The Chinese warded off Siam and Majapahit from conquering Malacca, and also engaged in war against Portugal during the Battle of Shancaowan for conquering Malacca.

At the foundation of Malacca, the native peoples were the peoples with Hinduism and Buddhism influence. According to the annals record, at the time Parameswara founded Malacca, the country was often attacked by the old enemies Majapahit and the rivals from northern area of Malacca, Ayutthaya Kingdom. Malacca was able to hold position and fight back the enemies. Parameswara decided to send his ambassador to visit the Emperor of China, one of the superpowers of the period, the Emperor of the Ming Dynasty, and both agreed to become allies. Ever since the agreement between Malacca Empire and China Empire, the Thai Ayutthaya Kingdom and Majapahit Empire never intended to attack Malacca. Later, some records suggested that during the trade activities and arrival of the Chinese-Muslim admiral "Cheng Ho" or Zheng He, Parameswara converted to Islam and adopted an Islamic name, Sultan Iskandar Shah. The new religion spread quickly throughout his conversion and the voyage of Zheng He.

Ming dynasty China warned Thailand and the Majapahit against trying to conquer and attack the Malacca sultanate, placing the Malacca Sultanate under Chinese protection as a protectorate, and giving the ruler of Malacca the title of King. The Chinese strengthened several warehouses in Malacca. The Muslim Sultanate flourished due to the Chinese protection against the Thai and other powers who wanted to attack Malacca. Siam was also a tributary to China and had to obey China's orders not to attack.[12] [13] [14] [15]

Japanese invasion during World War Two

Imperial Japan invaded Thailand in December 1941 and within a few hours, the country signed a cease fire and formed an alliance with Japan. A campaign against Malaya and Singapore then commenced, in which Thailand helped the Japanese conduct strikes against them and provided a path for the Japanese invasion force.[16] In return, the Japanese gave Thailand control and administration of the four northern Malayan states in October 1943. These states would be returned to the British after the war ended.

Mahathir Mohamad administration (1981–2003)

On 5 July 2002, Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad arrived Chiang Mai to begin a two-day official visit to Thailand.[17]

Economic relations

Bilateral trade between Malaysia and Thailand has an upward trend. The 2011 trade value was at US$22.95 billion.[7] In 2015, both Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) and Bank of Thailand (BOT) agreed to promote the greater use of their currencies to settle trade between the two countries.[18] In 2016, the combined total trade was US$20 billion,[19] with border trade accounted for over 60% of the figure.[20] In March 2017, both countries are determined to see bilateral trade achieve US$30 billion by the following year.[21] The Thai side had submitted several proposals to boost border trade to achieve the U$30 billion target, such as proposing 24-hours or longer custom operation hours at the border to facilitate movement of goods and the improvement of facilities especially in transportation and logistic infrastructure at the border to further improve trade,[22] while Thailand has also been supporting the Malaysian-based proposal for better port connectivity.[23] In September 2017, the Kuala Lumpur Business Club (KLBC) made a business mission to Bangkok to strengthen further business relations and economic co-operation.[24] The delegation also seeking for more investments from Thailand.[25] There is also a Malaysian Thai Business Chamber of Commerce to facilitate trade between the two countries.[26] In December 2017, both countries and Indonesia agreed on a framework where trade between the three countries can be settled in local currencies instead of the US dollar.[27]

In 2019, Thailand Ambassador to Malaysia Narong Sasitorn are looking to enhance its investment in Sabah, particularly in the medical tourism sector and niche tourism packages while at the same time announcing their country interest to be part of the Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia and Philippines–East Asia Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) through Kota Kinabalu with the development of port and terminal facilities in the city, the Pan Borneo Highway and diversification of industrial base.[28] As a response, Sabah Chief Minister Shafie Apdal said they looking forward to welcoming more investors from Thailand in light of the emergence of numerous industries and business sectors in Sabah where further partnerships with Thailand can be developed.[29] Sabah's neighbour of Sarawak also considering to set up a trade office in Bangkok if there is increasing trade volume between Sarawak and Thailand over the next couple of years.[30] The Thai government through its Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister Jurin Laksanawisit said that Thailand is looking to double the number of immigration personnel within the Sadao District border to 100 as well as widen existing roads to six lanes from only four in 2019 as existing checkpoints were said to have been plagued by customs bottlenecks, blocking the entry of goods and tourists as part of their plan to boost trade relations with Malaysia.[31] [32] [33]

Security relations

Both countries participate in the Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) annually together with other ASEAN countries such as Bangladesh, Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, the Philippines and Singapore.[34] Both Malaysia and Thailand also announce a plan to replace their border fence into a wall border according to Thai Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwan who got the idea from a recent meeting in Laos with Malaysian counterparts.[35]

See also

References

  1. Web site: Royal Thai Embassy, Kuala Lumpur. Royal Thai Embassy, Malaysia. 18 April 2017.
    Web site: Royal Thai Consulate-General, Penang, Malaysia. Royal Thai Embassy, Malaysia. 18 April 2017.
    Web site: Royal Thai Consulate-General, Kota Bharu. Royal Thai Embassy, Malaysia. 18 April 2017.
  2. Web site: Official Website of Embassy of Malaysia, Bangkok. Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Malaysia. 18 April 2017.
  3. Web site: 2018-10-24 . Mahathir arrives in Bangkok for two-day Thailand visit . www.thesundaily.my . en-MY.
  4. Web site: 2018-12-15 . Mahathir arrives on second visit to Thailand in three months . nationthailand . en.
  5. Web site: 2019-06-19 . Dr Mahathir leading Malaysian delegation to 34th Asean Summit in Bangkok . The Malaysian Reserve.
  6. Web site: 2019-11-02 . Dr Mahathir meets with Thai PM Prayuth in Bangkok . New Straits Times.
  7. Web site: Anifah will host his Thai counterpart. Bernama. New Straits Times. 7 October 2012. 13 October 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20121008073027/http://www.nst.com.my/latest/anifah-will-host-his-thai-counterpart-1.153703. 8 October 2012. dead. dmy-all.
  8. Web site: Malaysia-Thai Trade Relations. Vichada Pabunjerkit. BFM 89.9. 14 September 2015. 13 December 2017.
  9. Web site: Malaysia-Thailand Trade and Economic Relations. Sarika Dubey. ASEAN Briefing. 5 October 2017. 13 December 2017.
  10. Book: Rohan Gunaratna. Arabinda Acharya. The Terrorist Threat from Thailand: Jihad Or Quest for Justice?. 2013. Potomac Books, Inc.. 978-1-59797-582-7. 53–.
  11. Malaysia's role in two South-East Asian insurgencies: 'an honest broker'?. Chanintira na Thalang. Australian Journal of International Affairs. 71. 4. 26 January 2017. 10.1080/10357718.2016.1269147. 389–404.
  12. Book: . East Asia at the center: four thousand years of engagement with the world . Columbia University Press . 2000 . 978-0-231-10109-7 . illustrated . 175 . One of the great beneficiaries of Chinese naval power in the early years of the fifteenth century was the city-state of Melaka...Perceiving threats from Majapahit and the Siam who were extending their power down the Malay peninsula, Paramesvara looked to the more distant Chinese as a counterweight. He responded quickly to Ming overtures, sent a tribute mission to China in 1405 and was invested as king of Melaka by the Ming emperor. Visits by Zheng He's fleets left little doubt in the region that Melaka had become a Chinese protectorate. Taking no chances, Paramesvara personally led tribute mission to Peking on two or three occasions. . 14 December 2011.
  13. Book: 14 December 2011. The Chinese recognized Melaka as an independent state and warned the king of Thailand not to meddle with it... Nevertheless, the Chinese did not seek to establish colonies overseas, even when they anchored in places with large Chinese populations, like Sumatra and Java. They turned Melaka into a kind of protectorate and built a fortified warehouse there, but that was about it.. Firearms: a global history to 1700. Kenneth Warren Chase. illustrated. 2003 . Cambridge University Press. 978-0-521-82274-9. 51 .
  14. Book: 14 December 2011. important legacy of Chinese imperialism... by intervening in the Melaka Straits in a way that facilitated the rise of Melaka, and protected it from depredations from Thailand (Siam) and from Java's state of Majapahit;...Melaka ...having been founded...by a ruler fleeing Singapore in the fact of Thai and Javanese hostility. Melaka repeatedly sent envoys to China. China in turn claimed the power to deter other tributary states, such as Thailand, from interfering with Melaka, and also claimed to have raised the 'chief' of Melaka to the status of king in 1405, and Melaka to a protected polity in 1410. Melaka as a Muslim Sultanate consolidated itself and thrived precisely in an era of Chinese-led 'globalisation'. which was gathering pace by the late fourteenth century, and peaked at this time.. Colonial armies in Southeast Asia. Routledge. 978-1-134-31476-8. 21 . 2005-12-21.
  15. Book: 14 December 2011. important legacy of Chinese imperialism... by intervening in the Melaka Straits in a way that facilitated the rise of Melaka, and protected it from depredations from Thailand (Siam) and from Java's state of Majapahit;...Melaka ...having been founded...by a ruler fleeing Singapore in the fact of Thai and Javanese hostility. Melaka repeatedly sent envoys to China. China in turn claimed the power to deter other tributary states, such as Thailand, from interfering with Melaka, and also claimed to have raised the 'chief' of Melaka to the status of king in 1405, and Melaka to a protected polity in 1410. Melaka as a Muslim Sultanate consolidated itself and thrived precisely in an era of Chinese-led 'globalisation'. which was gathering pace by the late fourteenth century, and peaked at this time.. Colonial armies in Southeast Asia. Karl Hack, Tobias Rettig. Karl Hack, Tobias Rettig. illustrated. 33 of Routledge studies in the modern history of Asia. 2006 . Psychology Press. 978-0-415-33413-6. 21 .
  16. Web site: Invasion of Malaya: First shot in the Pacific war The Star.
  17. Web site: 2002-07-06 . PM in Thailand for two-day visit . New Straits Times.
  18. Web site: Malaysia, Thailand seek to use their currencies in trade, investment. Yantoultra Ngui. Kim Coghill. Reuters. 27 August 2015. 13 December 2017.
  19. Web site: Malaysia to further strengthen business ties with Thailand. The Star. 15 September 2017. 13 December 2017.
  20. Web site: More cross-border activities to enhance Malaysia-Thai bilateral trade. Bernama. The Borneo Post. 7 September 2017. 13 December 2017.
  21. Web site: Malaysia, Thailand eye bilateral trade boost. Bernama. The Malay Mail. 6 March 2017. 13 December 2017.
  22. Web site: M'sia-Thai trade to hit US$30bil. Bernama. The Star. 7 September 2017. 13 December 2017.
  23. Web site: Thai PM supports Malaysia's proposal for better port connectivity. Bernama. The Star. 15 September 2017. 13 December 2017.
  24. Web site: KLBC to strengthen business ties between Malaysia and Thailand. New Straits Times. 15 September 2017. 13 December 2017.
  25. Web site: Johari: Malaysia to welcome more investments from Thailand. Kevin Wong. The Malaysian Reserve. 18 September 2017. 13 December 2017.
  26. Web site: Home. Malaysian Thai Business Chamber of Commerce. 12 December 2017.
  27. Web site: Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand seek to boost local currency settlement. Reuters. 11 December 2017. 22 August 2019.
  28. Web site: Thailand sees KK as main gateway to Bimp-Eaga. Bernama. The Borneo Post. 22 August 2019. 22 August 2019.
  29. Web site: Sabah looking forward to closer economic ties with Thailand. Anthea Peter. Daily Express. 22 August 2019. 22 August 2019.
  30. Web site: Sarawak eyes setting up trade office in Bangkok. Lim How Pim. The Borneo Post. 24 August 2019. 24 August 2019.
  31. Web site: Malaysia trade set for boost. Bangkok Post. 2 September 2019. 4 September 2019.
  32. Web site: Thailand seeks trade boost with Malaysia. Ai Ballesteros. ASEAN Economist. 2 September 2019. 4 September 2019.
  33. Web site: Thailand eyes to boost border trade with Malaysia. Vietnam News Agency. Vietnam+. 3 September 2019. 4 September 2019.
  34. Web site: CARAT 2016 Series Kicks Off in Malaysia, Aiming for Increased Complexity with Allies and Partners. Task Force 73 Public Affairs. United States Navy. 2 June 2016. 13 December 2017.
  35. Web site: Prawit Wants to Build a Wall Along Border With Malaysia. Teeranai Charuvastra. Khaosod English. 18 November 2016. 13 December 2017.

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