Reflections on Thailand, Myanmar and the US pivot

Myanmar and Thailand have much in common and this is on display now more than ever. Apart from being similar in geographic and population size, theyre the two most prominent Theravada Buddhist Southeast Asian countries. Thailands level of development is the envy of Myanmar and a major spur to the opening up that they hope will draw commensurate economic benefits. Historically, border issues and the memories of ancient Burmese invasions have kept a chill in relations, but theres recently been a warming. Despite different points of departure on relations with China and the United States, a convergence is becoming evident. In Thailand, the US Cold War vintage treaty remains the foundation of bilateral security relations, and they source military hardware and procedures from the US. Theres little incentive today for drastic changes, but there are few signs of the treaty having much vitality either. Sure, the military exercise Cobra Gold is conducted annually and many regional security partners participate. But in broad terms theres a sense of strategic drift. Thailand is relaxedperhaps too relaxedabout the strategic space created by the US alliance. There are reasons for this on both sides.