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21,000 square miles from France along the History French Indochina border. Under the rule of the Khmer Empire However, Thais in an underground until its fall in the 13th century, the Kingdom resistance aided the Allies. This of Siam saw tumultuous changes in power Alliesresistance influenced Thailand to from conquering East-Asian forces, until its declare war on Britain and the US in 1942, recognition as a buffer state between the but the Thai ambassador in Washington British Empire and French Indochina. refused to announce the declaration. Thailand allied itself with Britain in World However, the Japanese were beginning to War I in 1917, remaining the only Southeast become a bothersome presence in Thailand, Asian country to not be colonized by a treating the ally more as a conquered European state. However, the treaties territory with the Japanese military established between Thailand, France and personnel requisitioning supplies. In 1944, England defined the borders to have the military was forced out of office and the Malaysia in the south, and Cambodia and first civilian government since 1932 was then Laos in the north-east, which would define formed. By 1945, Thailand had switched modern Thai political boundaries. sides and were in close alliance with the Desiring a more democratic union, a United States, which eventually led to a coalition of both military and civilian leaders membership in the UN. known as the Khana Ratsadon staged a Arrested as a war criminal in 1945 bloodless coup against the monarch, King but was released shortly after, Phibun took Prajadhipok in 1932. A constitutional over as Prime Minister following a coup in monarchy was then put in place. However, 1948 and conformed Thailand to western this new form of government was quickly standards by embracing anti-communist taken over by the military due to in-fighting ideals, supporting France against Indochina, and pressure of stabilization by external while improving secondary education and states. This new authoritarian regime was increasing military power. Thailand under the control of Luang Phibunsongkram provided naval, air and ground power for the who acted as an enforcer of strict regulations UN in the Korean until 1972. Under Phibun’s on multiple aspects of life such as life, leadership in 1954, Thailand would then join religion, and art, while suppressing the the Southeast Asia Treaty Organization influence of indigenous cultures. In order to (SEATO), and SEATO would even establish have a strong, unified nation with a collective their HQ in Bangkok. Phibun’s building identity and culture, everything was strictly democratic policy would not be enough to controlled by the government. It was based garner support, as he was overthrown again on this ideal that the name “Thailand” was in another bloodless coup in 1957. born, which means “Land of the Free” in Thailand’s pro-Western policy would Thai. extend even further by allowing the US to use When World War II erupted in 1939, Thai military bases while both governments Thailand declared a state of neutrality and sent troops to fight in South Vietnam. leaned more towards an alliance with Japan, However, with growing anti-American sending troops into French Indochina to sentiment and the pressure for establishing battle against the French after the European a republic, in October 13, 1973, 250,000 nation’s fall to Germany. The Thai protestors were rioted against the government used this opportunity to form government with 75 killed by . It was at this an alliance with Japan so that it could gain point that King Bhumibol intervened and
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forced the cabinet to resign. Sanya referred to as Red-Shirts won the elections Dharmasakti, Thammasak University with their Pheu Thai party. Meanwhile, president, would then take over as Prime Thailand have been heightened with Minister. However, this new civilian Cambodia over border disputes. An anti- government would prove to be ineffective, government faction rose in 2012 while and yet again, the military would take over identifying themselves as the Yellow-Shirts. the government in 1976, continuing a cycle In 2014, the military took over through in of overthrowing the government until the the form of a coup, and finally in 2016 the great depression of 1997. The IMF became citizens voted to allow the military to involved, yet the deterioration of the continue with their influence in politics. economy could not be halted. Chuan Leekpai, a former prime minister, came back into office due to public dissatisfaction with the previous prime minister. Government The Phak Thai Rak Thai (“Thai Loves A New Constitution Thai”) party won by a majority vote in the The Kingdom of Thailand is a House of Representatives in the first ever Constitutional Monarchy since 1932. Since election to the Senate in 2001. Due to May 2014, however, the country has had an accusations of corruption, a new poll took interim military-run government, and the place the next month. By then, the Thai Rak Constitution of 2007 was invalidated. On Thai party had joined additional parties and August 7th 2016, a public referendum for a reaffirmed their victory with Thakin new Constitution, the 20th Constitution of Chinnawat, a police lieutenant colonel, the country in 84 years, was held resulting in chosen as Prime Minister. Thaksin launched 62% of voters approving a new constitution several reforms such as: anti-drug giving the military continuing influence over campaigns, universal health care, and village the country's political life. Campaigning development funding. With bulding claims against the draft in the run-up to the of corruption and violence, Thaksin was then referendum was banned and dozens of imprisoned with Thai Rak Thai removed people were detained. Thailand's biggest from power. On December 26, 2004, a political parties rejected the constitution. tsunami hit the Andaman coast, killing more than 5,300 people and leaving 2,000 more The Military Junta missing. In 2005, the Phak Thai Rak Thai The ‘National Council for Peace and won the election, making Chinnawat became Order’ is the military junta that governs Prime Minister again in March before being Thailand. The alleged reasons for taking overthrown again the following year in a control are the “prolonged political military coup. deadlock, long-running protests, and General elections have occurred in recent violence”. The junta broadcasted, in May years, which have signaled a possible return 2014, the program “Bring Back Happiness to to civilian rule. The Thai Rak Thai party the Nation”, that describes what the next returned in the form of a new political party steps will be towards holding democratic called the People's Party Party (PPP) in elections; and focuses on national security 2007. By 2008 Thaksin fleed to Britain with and national administration. The plan is his family as continuous civilian protest divided in three phases: achieve national removed the PPP from government. Yet in conciliation, enactment of interim 2011, pro-Thakshin supporters, now
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Constitution and holding general elections, Budget Bureau, the National Security respectively. Council, the Juridical Council, the National Economic and Social Development Board, The Executive Branch and the the Board of Investment, the Civil Service Commission and several other organizations Monarch vital to the formulation of national policy. The executive branch of Thailand consists of the Monarch, whose position is hereditary. The monarch is the head of the The Judicial Branch armed forces and the upholder of every Thailand’s judicial system is religion. All the constitutions the country has composed of three courts: the Supreme had state that the monarch is sacred and Court of Justice, the Constitutional Court inviolable. His sovereign power emanates and the Supreme Administrative Court, and from the people, and he has power as head of its legal system is based on civic law with state. The monarch is empowered with the common law influences.The subordinate right to be consulted, the right to encourage courts are the courts of first instance and and the right to warn the government when appeals courts within both the judicial and it appears not to administer the state affairs administrative systems; and also the military for the good of the people. courts. With regards to Supreme Court, Also a part of the executive branch is judges are selected by the Judicial the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister is Commission of the Courts of Justice and the head of government and chairman of the approved by the monarch; and the judge’s Cabinet. He is appointed by the monarch, term is determined by the monarch. and the Council of Ministers, which is Constitutional Court is composed of three nominated by the prime minister and judges drawn from the Supreme Court, two appointed by the king, with advice from a judges drawn from the Administrative Privy Council. Court, and four judge candidates selected by the Selective Committee for Judges of the Constitutional Court and confirmed by the Executive Senate. The terms vary between nine years In October 2016, after the King the or life-long appointments. Privy Council President Prem Tinsulanonda was named Regent pro tempore. The Regent’s appointment is in accordance with The Legislative Branch the 2007 Constitution, which mentions, in The legislative branch of Thailand’s Section 24, that the council president should government is still in transition. Before the act as regent when the throne is vacant – voting of the Constitution, although the 2007 charter was destroyed by however, Thailand’s legislative the 2014 coup, the 2014 interim charter uses branch was bicameral. its chapter on the King as a reference. Also The 500 members of the House of with regards to the executive branch, the Representatives (MPs) were elected country’s Deputy Prime Minister is Prayuth popularly. Four hundred are district MPs, Chan-ocha. The Office of the Prime Minister directly elected in each constituency and is a central body, which in itself ranks as a each representing approximately 150,000 ministry, whose responsibility is largely people. The remaining hundred are party- concerned with formulating national policy. list MPs, who were elected indirectly by the Some of its primary subdivisions are the percentage of vote the party receives.
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In May 2014, a military coup development of the country’s private sectors dissolved the bicameral National Assembly and infrastructure. Moreover, several and in July 2014, a 200-seat National economic institutions were established, such Legislative Assembly, or Sapha Nitibanyat, as the Bureau of Budget, Office of the was appointed, with seats being occupied National Economic and Social Development mainly members of the military. The last Board (NESDB); furthermore, Thailand elections, which occurred in 2014, were started with an Import Substituting declared invalid by the Constitutional Court, Industrialization (ISI) policy, with seeks to and there are no elections scheduled for a replace dependence on imports through permanent legislative body. Thailand has development of domestic production, which multiple parties. led to rapid economic development and growth from the late 1950s to the 1970s The Military Influence (averaging economic growth of over 7% annually). With a setback during the 1970s, The military hold most of the power which was an era of high inflation and oil over the politics of Thailand, and the current prices, the economy saw unprecedented landscape is the strictest military regime in growth from consecutive devaluations of the the country since the 1970s, and the Thai Baht, leading to high competitiveness influence is constantly increasing. Although of domestic goods and Foreign Direct the junta made statements about restoring Investment (FDI), especially from Japan, democracy and establishing democratic that modernized the country’s elections, the limitation of civil liberties, the infrastructure. threatening of political opponents and However, due to deliberate patterns limitation and censorship of the press make of devaluations in 1997, a trust was created it difficult for the western hemisphere to amongst foreign speculators saw that low believe such statements. economic performance will follow an The approval of the Constitution immediate devaluation by the government. works as a validation for the retired army Because of such trust, speculators started general, now Prime Minister Prayuth ‘shorting’ the Baht in 1997, following the Chanocha, legitimating the coup makers; or economic bubble in the real estate market, even as a way to weaken opponents of the but the Central Bank started selling foreign former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, reserves to protect the Baht. Despite these a central figure in Thailand’s politics. efforts, this only led to the depletion of
Thailand’s foreign reserves, followed by the
Central Bank governor’s decision to float the
currency, thus triggering the Asian Financial Crisis of 1997. Economy With a Gross Domestic Product Post-1945 (GDP) of $387.3 billion, and per-capita income of $5778.98, Thailand is a relatively Thailand began the process of newly industrialized economy, with the industrialization soon after World War II industrial and services sectors acting as the with major contributions by the United main engines of the economy (accounting States. By launching an anti-communist for campaign, the Thai government was able to 64.1% of GDP). However, receive substantial packages of American telecommunications and trading services economic and military aid, leading to rapid
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have the fastest growing sectors amongst Thailand, as of now, has thirty any others. commercial banks, out of which only four are government-owned, or public banks, making Tourism 87% of the banking sector controlled by the private sector and only 13% government Tourism contributes 8.6% of the owned. As of yearend 2014, total assets of all economy’s GDP, as of 2014, and employs financial institutions of the economy over two million workers, accounting for amounted to THB 13 trillion, or three folds about 6% of the total labor force. It is of the country’s GDP. estimated that the industry should employ close to four million workers within the next ten years. Although tourists come from all Thai Labor Force around the globe, the industry is majorly This year’s estimates stand the affected by income levels in Asian countries, currently employed labor force between 36.8 especially China. However, more important million to 38.3 million. With 49% being than tourism, specific spending by tourists employed in the agricultural sector, 37% in are visitor exports, which includes the the services sector and 14% in general spending done by tourists during manufacturing and industries. However, due their visit. As of 2014 alone, visitor exports to the fact that 14% are employed in accounted for spending up to THB 1,309.1 manufacturing, it is estimated that 12 billion; this is expected to grow by 3.3% each million Thais may lose their jobs in the next year. Such spending not only boosts the ten years due to automation. tourism industry, but directly benefits other parts of the domestic economy, such as the Technology food and arts industries. Electronics make up Thailand’s The tourism industry can be split into largest export sector, about 15% of the total the categories of business and leisure travel. exports of the country and amounting to $33 Business travel makes up only 12.4% of the billion. However, due to gradual increase in industry, while leisure travel contributes the wages over the past few decades, factories, rest of the 87.6%. especially those of Multinational Companies
(MNCs), are expected to transfer to Banking countries with cheaper labor, such as The Asian Financial Crisis and the Vietnam. Due to this, the country’s speculation boom of the Baht in the late manufacturing index, in 2015, fell for the 1990s was a huge blow to the financial sector 22nd time, with production in electronics of the economy, and thus encouraged much falling an astonishing 38% annually. better regulation of the sector by government agencies. Currently, the Foreign Trade Ministry of Finance (MOF) and the Bank of Very recently, China replaced the Thailand (BOT) are responsible for United States as Thailand’s largest foreign enforcing financial laws in the country. trade partner, due to Thailand’s shift in trade While the BOT acts as the central bank and focus from North America and Japan to supervises all commercial banks, the regional countries. Recovery from the Ministry sets the fiscal and economic financial crisis of the 1990s was largely policies, while also overseeing taxation, achieved from dramatic increase in foreign public finances and government property. trade, especially to Japan. Being reliant on
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trade, Thailand is part of the World Trade climate of the country plays both the reason Organization (WTO), the ASEAN Free Trade and the consequence of Thailand’s military Area (AFTA) and has pursued free trade coup d’etats. Opinions on the effect of coups agreements with China, India, Australia and on the Thai economy have been ambivalent, Japan. However, as much as Thailand looks for while indigenous organizations, such as to free trade, it has kept high restrictions on the Thai Central Bank, tend to be optimistic, Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) on crediting political stability brought by the domestic companies, with the rule of a 49% coup to be a key economic player, minority stake. international organizations, such as the World Bank, tend to be much more Special Economic Zones pessimistic on the economic outlooks of any country after military coups, takeovers or Although metropolitan cities, such as marshal law. Bangkok and major tourist destinations, For example, the Central Bank have enjoyed unprecedented economic forecasted 2015’s economic growth to be at growth and wealth creation, several parts of least 4.5% after the coup in 2014, again the country, especially the agricultural maintaining that contrasted with the landscape, remain in poor economic political instability pre-2014, 2015 would conditions. Considering this, the raise consumer confidence and boost government has planned the creation of domestic demand. However, such couldn’t Special Economic Zones (SEZ) to further happen. Although consumer confidence did increase and spread economic growth as rise after the coup, consumption expenditure evenly as possible around the country. SEZs by households showed no improvement; this are geographical regions that a government was because Thai households are still highly chooses that have high free trade economic indebted, making expenditure an impossible atmospheres, usually where tariffs and other expectation. Furthermore, the stimulus trade barriers are eliminated or kept at the packages launched by increasing money very minimum, attracting foreign supply in the economy only caused high investment and trade. The Thai government investment in financial assets, while leading SEZ plan, perhaps, comes from the a stock market boom, didn’t positively affect experience of the dramatic transformation of the overall economy. Moreover, Thailand’s the Chinese economy with its creation of economy has been and is quite extensively SEZs in the early 1980s. export driven, meaning it relies on high Currently there are ten SEZs in export demand to boost its domestic Thailand and as of 2014, the government production. However, with European plans to set up six SEZs in five regions of the financial instability, slowing of Chinese and country, which include Tak, Mukdahan, Sa the United States economies, exports failed Kaeo, Songkhla, and Trat. The second phase to boom, and in fact fell over the period. In of the economic zones will include the short, actual growth of the economy was development of SEZs in five more provinces: calculated as 2.82%, which although higher Chiang Rai, Kanchanaburi, Nong Khai, than 2013’s 2.702% growth, was certainly Nakhon Phanom, and Narathiwat. lower than the domestically expected 4.5%.
Such was an analysis of the economic Effects of coups on the economy climates prior and post the military coup in Coups have been fairly common in 2014, delegates should use economic data Thailand in the past few decades. Economic and understanding to investigate historical
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effects of other coups and any potential once a week in military craft and then allows effects, depending on the character of the them to be exempt from conscription. If not, coup d’etat. For example, as Thailand is a net the students in their final year are then importer of coal as its energy fuel, a military obliged to visit a military selection done at coup that may tumble coal trade would local halls or school assemblies. In the dramatically affect the functioning of the assemblies, each individual is given the economy, regardless of any ‘political choice of volunteering, upon which if the stability’ the coup may have been planned to quota is not met, the rest of the individuals produce. must then draw a card, either red or black. If the students draw a black card they will be exempted from service, on the other hand if they draw a red, they will be conscripted into
Military and Security the armed forces. The total conscription each Overview year is approximately 10,000 men. If they The modern Royal Thai Armed attempt to avoid conscription the Forces was established in 1852 at the behest conscription can be faced with a three-year of the King of Thailand. The primary reason prison sentence. for its creation was defense from European Colonialism, however, in recent times the Equipment Armed Forces has been more involved in Thailand has an annual defense maintaining order within Thailand rather budget of $5.29 Billion, second only to than protection from external threats. There Singapore in the Southeast Asia region. This are four main branches of the Royal Thai amounts to about 7% of the defense budget. Armed Forces: Royal Thai Army, Royal Thai Currently, the Thailand army maintains 170 Navy, Royal Thai Air Force and other warplanes, 17 Warships, 1 aircraft carrier paramilitary forces. The head of the Thai and 800 tanks. This is on par with Vietnam, Armed Forces is the King of Thailand a country that Thailand is often compared although this is only a nominal position. The against in the region. Most of Thailand’s Ministry of Defense of Thailand is in charge military firepower is currently imported of the management of the armed forces and however there has been an attempt to it is commanded by the Royal Armed Forces produce some equipment indigenously such Headquarters, which in turn is headed by the as the “Black Widow Spider” its newest Chief of Defense Forces of Thailand. armored car built in Thailand.
Recruitment Government Relations In 2016, the Royal Thai Armed Due to its lack of significant external Forces have a total of 306,000 active threats and its role to protect the monarch, personnel and 245,000 reserves. They make the Thai Military has often been involved in up about 0.8% of the Thai population. the Thai political process, twice ousting the According to Thailand law it is a duty for all democratically elected government in the males aged twenty-one to serve in the armed last 10 years. The current Prime minister of forces. Yet, in actuality, there are many Thailand is General Prayuth Chan-ocha, a exemptions for individuals. The process former army chief. He was given the role by begins in secondary school, where students the military appointed parliament after a are given the option to opt into a three-year coup in May 2014. In general there is training program, which trains the students
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widespread support for the military can drop to near zero at night in the higher especially around the capital thus there is elevations of northern Thailand. In the often very little resistance or blood-shed summer, humidity can reach 90 percent and during a coup. high temperatures are usually around 35 degrees C. The southern region is hot and Geography humid year-round. In January 2014, an unusual weather The Kingdom of Thailand is located condition occurred where Bangkok received in the center of Southeast Asia occupying an the coldest temperatures it had recorded in area of land approximately 514,000 square decades. The Associated Press reported: kilometers in size. The country is shaped “Thai media quoted Songkram Aksorn, roughly like an elephant’s head with the deputy director general of the country's northern area making up the elephant’s face meteorological department, as saying that and ears, and the slim south part is the trunk Bangkok's temperature fell Thursday that extends down the Malaysian peninsula morning to 15.6 degree Celsius, the lowest in between the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of 30 years. He added that the current cold Thailand. Appropriately, the national season lasting almost three months was the symbol of Thailand is the elephant. longest in a decade.
Borders Regions The countries bordering Thailand are Thailand is divided into 76 political Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia and Myanmar provinces, with Bangkok its with the Gulf of Thailand and Malaysia to the south. The border on the north and west with own administrative area that is the Myanmar is a natural mountainous one, the capital of the country. It is subdivided into border with Laos on the north and the east four regions: the North, the Northeast, the the Mekong, and the border with Cambodia Central Plain, and the South. is marked by the Dongrak Mountains range. The Northern part of Thailand, along its mountainous border with Myanmar, the ranges are high in altitude peaking at 8,415 Climate ft. The North covers an area of 169,600 sq Thailand is 15 degrees north of the km and is made up of 17 provinces including equator and lies south of Tropic of Cancer. Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai. The Thai, called Although each geographic region in Thailand Thai Nuea, live in valleys located in the lower has its own weather pattern, the climate is area and upland is home to two primitive generally hot and very tropical, with tribes - the Mon-Khmer and the monsoons occurring regularly accompanied ThibetoBurmans. This area is heavily by heavy rains. Total rainfall is about 1,500 forested and is inhabited by a wide variety of millimeters a year. The monsoons typically wildlife. This is also where Thailand sees its occur between May and July when humidity coolest winters. is at 87 percent in and temperatures of about In the Northeast part of Thailand, 29 degrees Celsius. November to February, along the border with Laos runs the Mekong the winter months, see cooler and drier River that then flows into Cambodia. weather with relatively low humidity and 20 Separating Thailand from Cambodia is the degree Celsius average temperatures. Khorat Plateau, the size of which takes up The highlands and coast areas about one third of the country. This Isan generally have cooler temperatures, which
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region, named after the Hindu god of death, tantalum, timber, lead, fish, gypsum, lignite, is the most heavily populated part of and fluorite. It is also the second largest Thailand hosting a third of its population. global producer of tungsten and the third Despite many provincial cities in this region, largest producer of tin. it is the poorest. Most try to make their living from farming on the flat lands but the soil is Land use largely infertile and the area gets few visitors. The people in this legion are mainly In Thailand, land used for agricultural Thai. purposes is 41.2% with arable land at 30.8%; The northwest part of the country permanent crops at 8.8%; and permanent (the forehead) is covered by misty, green pastures at 1.6%. Forest and woodland areas mountains - the highest ones are just over occupy 37.2% of the country. 2000 meters high. The central part of
Thailand, which includes Bangkok, is home to the Central Plains and is where the basin of the Chao Phraya River is located. After flowing through this region the River merges Natural hazards into the Gulf of Thailand. This valley is very fertile valley and is where the main rice The greatest threats to Thailand come production takes place, therefore its from droughts and floods. Deaths in floods nickname the "Rice Bowl of Asia." This affect mortality figures and GDP for the region is occupied by Thais with small entire country. Thailand is particularly at communities of Mons and Cambodians, risk for droughts, particularly in the central, Malays and Burmans. eastern, and southern areas. Due to the Heading south towards the declining water table reserves, the city of Malaysian peninsula where the Andaman Bangkok runs the risk of land subsidence. Sea separates Thailand from the Gulf of These, however, pose less of a direct risk to Thailand - is where waterfalls, beautiful the entire population with the impact being beaches and small islands like Phuket and felt years later. Cyclones are a minor hazard Koh Samui, popular with tourists, can be in the northern region. found. This area is also characterized by dense rain forests and national parks. The region is known for its rubber production of Culture and Society as well as tropical crops. While most in the Religion south are Thai, the southernmost area hosts Buddhism is the primary religion and people originally from Malaysia. has been practiced for over one thousand years. Prior to the modern period, Buddhism Natural Resources and Products faced severe challenges as it was critiqued by reformists and exposed to the pressures of Thailand is a major rice producer. European colonialism. Anti-Buddhist Among the agricultural produce are activity included states strengthening their soybeans, tapioca, rubber, sugarcane, authority over the sangha (Buddhist coconuts, and corn are some of its monastic community), destroying places of agricultural products for domestic and worship, and converting monasteries into international markets. Thailand’s natural public institutions. Regardless, the Buddhist resources include rubber, natural gas, religion survived and thrives today as 96% of
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the population of Thailand takes on the women are assigned domestic duties such as practice. Buddhism combines philosophy cooking, cleaning, and serving the monks. and history to create a way of life, rather than There is a clear gender divide not only in the being limited to a religion. The principles of religious aspect, but in society as a whole as Buddhism revolve around the notion that well. Hierarchal status can be determined everything is controlled by one’s karma. In based on gender, education, age, or other words, each individual action taken is occupation. what destines one’s existence in the future. The Thai community is usually made Therefore, the ideal shapes the Thai people up of villages ranging from 50-200 people in into self-satisfied, peaceful beings, since they which life revolves around the Buddhist must be willing to accept the life that they are Monastery, known as the Wat. The Wat is the handed and are unable to opt for a change. source of education and religious and social Furthermore, Buddhism believes in ceremonies. One important aspect is that the reincarnation. Because one’s performance in wat parallels the well-being of the village. “If the present life determines the outcome of the wat is well kept, the village economy is the next life, this sense of earnestness and actually prosperous.” Karma is prevalent responsibility drives the Thai people to build when villagers make donations to the wat, in up good karma and steer clear of bad karma. the hopes of creating a better position for The final building block of Buddhism is themselves or for their next life. This merit-making, which more specifically constant action of merit-making by the focuses on the importance of generosity, villagers improves social welfare and their respect, and giving to those in need, yet goes community as a whole. hand in hand with the previous concepts. Altogether, Buddhism in Thailand serves as Education System a crucial “source of political legitimacy and Thailand’s education system cultural practice.” operates under the National Education Act
of 1999, which was amended in 2002, and Social Hierarchy the 15-year National Education Plan. The Thailand’s societal structure is that of National Education Act states that the a hierarchy. The highest level of social allocation of education should be based on 3 hierarchy is filled by the Buddhist monks, principles being, “a lifelong education for all, which emphasizes the degree of religious all segments of society to participate in the importance within the culture. The provision of education, and continuous traditional Thai greeting, referred to as the development of the learning process.” 2 “wai” symbolizes one’s position on the years of free preschool followed by 12 years hierarchy structure, and is always offered by of free public schooling is provided for all the person of lower-ranking first. For citizens of Thailand, according to the example, because the monks embody the National Education Act. The goal is to highest societal status, during religious enforce a holistic education system to ceremonies, even the King and Queen are promote human-development to eventually expected to wai in an effort to illustrate their contribute to a more harmonious society. respects. Women can also play a role in religion as Buddhist nuns, otherwise referred to as mae chee. Although the mae chee are religiously affiliated, they hold a low status in comparison to the monks. These
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relaxation of regulatory restrictions, and Energy and even land grants. The conditions involve both using the renewable energy sources, as Environment well as utilizing eco-friendly materials. As of 2014, the nation is currently operating under With a population of approximately the goal to operate with 25% of all energy 68 million people, Thailand has been being attributed to ecofriendly origins. It is become mostly industrialized with 99% of not clear whether these measures are the people having access to electricity. The creating the desired effect. majority of electricity usage lies in urban Despite all of these incentives, centers, such as Bangkok, which leads to pollution is still one of the most noticeable more pollution in said urban centers. effects of Thailand’s rapidly growing Because of the rise in GDP each year, there infrastructure. Although there is not a water has been a rise in the energy needed to power shortage, there is an issue with rivers around the country; yet, in densely populated cities and tourist areas; 2015, domestic energy production there is both agricultural and industrial decreased, which increased their reliance on waste that collects in the surface water of imported energy sources rivers and coasts. Although only 40% of The country mostly relies on fossil water is considered not ideal, there have fuels for their energy, with the majority of oil been numerous claims within the past five being imported from other Asian nations, years of endangered marine life, such as the with oil mostly from Malaysia. Their giant freshwater stingray; this may possibly economy is directly impacted by the price of lead to greater environmental difficulties oil. Other sources of energy are natural gas regarding the ecosystem, especially (which has gained popularity, as of 2015), considering Thailand’s rate of also imported, and renewable resources, industrialization. One of the most pertinent such as solar and wind power. There is more issues surrounding the rivers is the low levels of an emphasis on solar power production in of dissolved oxygen. In order for marine life more rural areas in the south and west of to thrive, there needs to be a constant level Thailand; it has been more of a challenge to of 6 milligrams per liter, however, in some of connect the rural areas to the pre-existing these affect river areas, the levels have been power grid and solar power is the easiest recorded at 1 milligram per liter, implying solution. Wind power has been explored, that more species than the freshwater however, there is very light wind and the stingray will become endangered. investment cost is still very high. There have Aside from water pollution, there is also been plans to implement hydro power in pollution due to the agricultural industry. smaller villages, but nothing has been done During the early spring when fields are on a grand scale. cleared for new crops, dust particles make The Thai population is expected to their way into residential areas and cause rise by 75% within the next two decades, hundreds of cases of respiratory problems. which has prompted more research and This phenomenon, “’slash-and-burn’ financial interest into the renewable energy farming” has caused civil unrest among the market. To make this happen, the Thai Northern part of Thailand; the authorities in government has attempted to implement Thailand advise residents to wear face masks incentives to encourage the use of renewable to avoid the dust particles, yet, the masks do resources in the form of tax breaks, not achieve their desired purpose and
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residents have to find other means to ease workers, while Thailand has 123,500 sex their breathing These issues arise regularly workers, which is over triple the amount in due to yearly farming patterns and because Cambodia. The police have stated that they of the higher than average amount of are trying to prosecute brothels employing pollutants in the air, it has arguably caused a underage and illegal migrant workers, but decrease in tourism. Although the practice is have been largely ineffective at securing this illegal, some witnesses have claimed that promise. However, the tourism industry is they have not seen it regularly enforced. definitely focused on ridding the tourism Other nations, like the United States, industry of sex tourism and has been have intervened to increase the conducting several police raids. environmental awareness of the Thai government. Beginning in 1997, there have Sex Tourism: Cultural Origins been measures in place that are meant to and Birth establish “building strong institutions and While the facts seem to present the notion legal structures” involving environmental that a majority of the sex industry is awareness, convincing Thailand to join the targeting tourists, this is a misconception. Global Methane Initiative (GMI) to reduce Most of the sex industry is actually fueled by methane emissions around the world, Thai men. Prostitution has long been projects to improve the air quality in places ingrained within the Thai culture. Men of like Bangkok, expanding access to clean different classes would celebrate polygamy water across the country, limiting the and have multiple wives. The “official wife” exposure of toxic chemicals, and establishing or the mia luang was to be revered as the new ways to rid electronic waste. most important, while the minor wife was The environmental conditions of treated more as someone to take along Thailand set the tone for every other wherever the husband goes. For those who industry and infrastructure issue; their could not afford to support multiple wives, rapid development rate is a source of prostitution was the best option. fear and discomfort among officials, as well The tourist sex industry, on the other hand, as residents who have to live through the is relatively new. The tourist sex industry daily consequences. started during the Vietnam War. During the war, there were seven American military bases surrounding the country. The American soldiers sexual hunger would
Sex Industry attract the local rural women to come and
entertain them for the money. By 1967 Despite being illegal in Thailand, Bangkok would quickly join in. Although the prostitution is a huge industry within the war would end by the mid-1970s, tourists country. The law is pretty much ignored and would replace the American soldiers who the sex industry has grown to be a large part had left. Since then, sex tourism has become of the economy, especially in regards to part of the country’s economy and spread to tourism. The tourism industry currently other popular cities. accounts for 10% of the GDP and sex workers claim that ridding the country of sex industries will definitely create a huge dent The Legal Aspects within the economy. According to a 2014 Prostitution has been illegal in Thailand UNAIDS reports, Cambodia has 37,000 sex since 1960. However, there are flagrant
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brothels out on the streets of Thailand as number of women unemployed. These government officials and the police have women have argued that they contribute to a turned a blind eye against the industry in huge portion of the country’s economy and exchange for bribes. Bribes have been they are not too far from the truth. The sex offered to a wide range of officials from local industry contributes $6.4 billion into the police officers to tourist immigration. economy and it has been reported in 2014 Recently, there has been a breakdown that this shadow economy accounts for comprised of numerous police raids on the 40.9% of the real GDP. sex industry. Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul, the tourism minister, has expressed her intent Arguments on creating quality tourism in the country Many have argued that if the government is without the sex industry. The current to crackdown on the sex industry, they military junta has also expressed similar should at least find alternative jobs for the goals. many women who suddenly find themselves without a lucrative source of income, The Economic Incentives especially when the minimum wage cannot The sex industry in Thailand has still proven support them. Some have also argued that to be a lucrative business. Most of the the police raids have increased the number women in the industry come from the north of human rights violations with police and northeast of Thailand, the poorest areas. entrapment. Those arguing against These economic refugees are quickly drawn prostitution have stated that normalizing to the quick money making aspect of the such a concept in the culture leads to industry. Several can earn in a night what increased human trafficking, which is also they would usually make in a month while normalized due to the demand. working at a rice paddy. The minimum wage in Thailand is 300 Baht, but many workers Possible Solutions in the sex industry can make 10 times that Empower, a Thai organization that amount in a single night. These women advocates for sex workers, has been trying to become the main income source for their decriminalize prostitution. By opening a sex families as they attempt to pay off family museum in the country called “This Is Us”, debt or simply improve the financial they hope to empower the industry’s social situation of the family. standings in society. They also argue that if Many of these prostitutes even yearn prostitution is to become legal, sex workers for a relationship with tourists as a possible will be able to enjoy the same labor laws as escape. Quite a few of these transactions end legal jobs and be no longer exploited by their up becoming as temporary relationships. bosses. This viewpoint is being increasingly The most common example are women in heard as organizations such as WHO, the industry accompanying UNAIDS, Amnesty International, and the their “boyfriends”, who are often HRW have expressed their support for the twice the age of the workers, as they tour decriminalization of the prostitution. around the country. It is not uncommon to keep in touch afterwards either. Agriculture The recent crackdown on brothels, which Thailand is a global market for are often legally listed as bars, karaoke bars, agricultural products. A majority of or massage parlors, have left quite a few farmland is owned and administered by a
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family, which then inherit the land to to adapt the agricultural process. For succeeding generations. Agriculture is example, because eighty percent of rice important for the self-sufficiency of the plantations are dependent on the wet producers, and the surpluses go towards season, the production output is extremely exports. Although agriculture accounts for vulnerable to rainfall variability. As the the smallest portion of GDP, 12.4%, it population is increasing, the crop yield is employs approximately 42% of the work decreasing, which creates the potential force. The economy is dependent on exports, threat of famine. The Asian Development since they contribute to more than half of Bank (ADB) has vowed to increase their GDP. Rice is Thailand’s prime agricultural contribution towards “climate change export, although other major exports mitigation and adaptation” to 6 Billion US dollars by 2020; of which 2 Billion will go include herbs, rubber, cassava, and palm oil. towards agriculture. The 2016 State of Food
and Agricultural (SOFA) reported that the Rice Production and Export agriculture sector faces further Thailand is the world’s largest complications, in the struggle to produce exporter of rice. Rice productions faces 4 more food while emitting less greenhouse major conflicts: unpredicted rainfall and gases. poor soil fertility, pests and diseases, unchanging yield, and labor shortages. Government Irrigation Project Approximately eighty percent of rice Thailand government projects will plantations are grown in rain-fed conditions administer 3 loans totaling 23.4 million during the wet season, which occurs once a dollars towards the improvement and year. The remaining plantations are grown advancement of irrigation, port and railway through integration systems. The objective is systems. The first loan, by the Railway to produce 23 million tons of rice paddies Rehabilitation and Improvement project, annually, in total, setting apart 14 million amounting to 3 million dollars, will go tons for internal consumption and the towards investing in Royal State Railways. remaining 9 million tons for export. The rice An 18 million-dollar loan by the Irrigation yield remains low regardless of the programs Drainage Project will focus on the Chao Phya that the country has tried to implicate. Yield River. The final 4.4 million dollars aid in the gaps faced in sufficient rice production are a development of the port of Bangkok and result of the supply of rice being too low to Thailand’s economy. meet the amount demanded. The most significant areas of improvement are agricultural technology development and farm infrastructure. Energy and Oil
Impact of Climate Change Market Thailand’s geographical location Energy Matrix – Domestic makes it susceptible to the effects of climate Production change, such as: droughts, floods, and Thailand’s energy matrix is largely uneven weather patterns. Climate change composed of fossil fuels, accounting for over has proven to be the largest threat to global 80% of the country’s energy consumption: food security. Because the change is 68% of its domestic energy production is occurring so rapidly, actions must be taken from natural gas and 13% from crude oil. 9%
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nyumunc viii is composed of lignite – “brown coal”, due to Capacity concerns its low heat content, when compared to other Energy imports are a burden for types – 8% comes from condensate, and the Thailand, consuming almost 12% of the remaining 2% is generated by hydroelectric country’s gross domestic product. Also, price energy. volatility of fossil fuels are an increasing Energy imports challenge for Thailand’s energy supply, especially because it is used in base sectors A substantial amount of Thailand’s of the economy, such as petrochemical, energy depends on household and transport. imports. 2006 represented a peak in the country’s natural gas reserves, Electricity and since then they have generally declined. A majority of the electricity that is In 2014 the country imported what accounts produced in Thailand is for approximately 20% of its natural gas done by conventional consumption, most of it being imported thermal methods. Other from Myanmar. This is the result of a production occurs through coal or natural demand growth process over the past twenty gas fired plants. However, the World years, which qualifies Thailand to become a Wildlife Fund has found that Thailand could net importer of gas in 2000 – in 1994, the actually achieve 100% renewable energy country was still responsible for the totality electricity production by the year of its natural gas consumption. Thailand is 2050.Thailand is expected to invest in solar expected to import much more natural gas power, wind power, biogas, and starting from 2020, with a particular hydroelectricity. Temperature plays a big increase in LNG imports. In fact, due to this role in determining the expected electricity prediction, it is expected that electricity consumption, especially in major cities like tariffs will rise by 55% by 2022, dramatically Bangkok. This is perhaps because with affecting Thailand’s industrial increase in temperature, more households competitiveness. use appliances such as air conditioners. With each increase of one degree Celsius in With regards to oil, imports play a temperature, consumption is expected to larger role. In 2011, the country was the increase by 2 gigawatts. second largest net oil importer in Southeast
Asia. Roughly 60% of its total petroleum need and 95% of Thailand’s crude oil supply Power Development Plan came from imports in 2014. (20152036) Through this development plan, the In order to meet demand and fill the government intends to build 20 additional supply gap, in 2015, the country imported gas powered electricity generating stations, about 730,000 bbl/d of net crude oil and nine coal powered stations and at least petroleum products; 63% of which came 14,206 MW of renewable energy, mainly from the Middle East and 33% from other from hydroelectricity. Amongst the Asian suppliers. Thailand, however, is also renewable energies, hydroelectricity is key to an exporter of petroleum products. Diesel, the plan, as Thailand plans to increase fuel oil and jet fuel are exported to regional hydro’s share of the country’s energy output markets after supplying the domestic from currently 7% to 15-20%, by 2036. market. Additional hydro power will be imported
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from dams in Myanmar, until Thailand is They also accuse him of not having loyalty to able to implement the plan. the monarchy and so they wear yellow because it is the king's color.
Protests Reds Vs. Yellows Massive Yellow Shirt street protests in Bangkok in 2006 attracted thousands of Thaksin Shinawatra, a telecom people and made the capital come to a halt. magnate, was elected the Prime Minister of To relieve the political deadlock, the military Thailand in 2001. His policies to help rural ousted Thaksin, and set off a power struggle farmers and the urban working class through for a decade. When Thaksin's allies won the microfinance schemes, funding for elections in December 2007 and formed a healthcare and education, and fuel subsidies government, the yellow-shirts restarted their made him popular in the heavily populated protests, arguing that the government was a north and northeastern parts of the country. puppet of Thaksin. The Yellow Shirts He was overthrown in a military coup in demanding that the government be 2006, faces criminal charges and lives in dissolved and that an unelected “people’s exile. council” be used to choose the country’s new leaders. They protested at government Red Shirts offices and there were occasional violent clashes. By 2012, protests were mostly The Red Shirts, formally known as peaceful. the United Front for Democracy Against Many Red Shirt activists continue to Dictatorship (UDD), began as supporters of support Thaksin, but emphasize that that Thaksin, and then transferred support to they are not his servants and that they make Thailand's ruling Phu Thai party led by his political decisions for themselves. Many are sister, Yingluck Shinawatra. Members are critical of the UDD leadership, who they see mainly rural workers but the party also as not having a strategy for continuing the appeals to students, left-wing activists and fight for power . Many want local people to some business people who consider the be able to vote on who should be their own urban and military elite control of Thai government representative, instead of politics a threat to democracy. His sister was having a candidate imposed on them from considered an extension of the policies of above. Thailand has achieved political Thaksin who continues to exert influence stability under a military junta that took from abroad through public addresses and power in a coup in 2014 after the king giving advice from afar. approved the removal of the elected prime
minister, Yingluck Shinawatra. There are Yellow Shirts fears that unrest is likely after the king's The Yellow Shirts (People’s Alliance death. for Democracy), represent those opposed to Thaksin with their main supporters being upper- and middle-class royalists. They were formed in 2005 and were the force behind the street protests that led to the 2006 coup. They hold that Thaksin’s years in office were plagued by corruption and abuse of power.
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exchange rate policies challenge the Foreign Relations competitiveness of Thai products and China services. Chinese investment in Thai The friendly relationship between infrastructure is reflected in a planned high- Thailand and China dates back to 1975, when speed railway project, which has been under the two countries established formal discussion for years but has in 2016 resulted diplomatic ties. Thailand was in need of in agreement on the first phase. Thailand Chinese military and strategic support in will bear the cost of construction, while face of an expansionist Vietnam and Beijing China will provide funds for technical withdrew their support to the Thai systems. communist movement. China has granted Links in military cooperation Thailand “comprehensive strategic between Thailand and China date back to the cooperative partnership” status, reflecting 1980s, when Thailand became the first the importance of this bilateral relationship. ASEAN country to buy military equipment Economically, the partnership serves the from China at “friendship prices”. The Thai interests of both Beijing and Bangkok. After military possesses a range of Chinese overtaking Japan in 2014, China is now weapons systems, and Thai and Chinese Thailand’s largest trading partner, spending special forces have in recent years conducted billions of US dollars each year on the joint exercises. purchase of food, raw materials and Diplomatically, China has worked actively to mechanical and electrical products from its maintain close ties with the Thai parliament neighbor to the south. Thailand, at the same with Thai politicians frequently travelling to time, is China’s fourth-largest trading China. At the same time, Thai MPs traveling partner among the 10 members of the to the US had declined. The economic rise of Association of Southeast Asian Nations China, and the US presence in the region (ASEAN). Trade agreements between declining in recent years by shifting its Thailand and China, and between ASEAN military engagement to other regions, and China, have encouraged the trading ties, requires Thailand to make strategic choices. however, the main factor for is the growth of After the recent death of Thailand’s the China market. Chinese tourists enjoy King Bhumibol Adulyadej, the future of visiting Thailand and in 2015, more than 7.9 bilateral relations with China is difficult to million Chinese tourists visited. In terms of predict. As one of China’s key allies in investment, China directly invested US$370 Southeast Asia, Thailand’s support is million in Thailand in 2014. In the same essential as tensions over territory in the year, Chinese companies also signed South China Sea plague China’s relations US$1.78 billion of contracts with Thai with other countries in the region. Thailand companies for construction projects, labor is not involved in any such territorial service collaboration and design disputes with China that could aggravate consultation. tension. The expanding economic relationship between Thailand and China is Vietnam encouraged by the large number of Thais Thailand and Vietnam established a with at least part Chinese ethnicity in the diplomatic relationship in 1976. Thai commercial sector. Bangkok is eager to Their relationship has strengthened maintain smooth economic matters over the years, especially since their relations with Beijing, even when China's
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Agreement on Trade, Economic and Myanmar Technical Cooperation in 1978 and Myanmar, still known as Burma to Vietnam’s entrance to the Association of the United States and the U.K., is a Southeast Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in 1995. Asian country situated between the borders The ASEAN community is united in an of India, China, Laos and Thailand.1 Since effort to speed economic growth, promote 1962, Myanmar was notoriously known public policy, strengthen social ties, and worldwide for its military junta government, improve the overall standard of living. led by General U Ne Win, that put the Vietnam and Thailand are the world’s country through a long period of isolation largest exporters of rice. Therefore, they from the rest of the world.2" Many world have achieved the highest profitability by powers, such as the U.S., placed economic sharing market information and sanctions on the country due to extreme synchronizing their price policies. The two political injustices that were being executed countries’ profit in bilateral trade amounted by the junta on the Burmese. An opposition to over $4.2 billion in 2006. Products that party took formation, and it was, and is, Thailand that exports to Vietnam include named the National League for Democracy plastics, petrol, and motorbike parts. (NLD), which was founded and led by Nobel Peace Prize winner Aung San Suu Kyi, who Thailand’s main imports from Vietnam are eventually became the secretary of the seafood, crude oil, coal, peanuts, and party.4 However, in very recent years, the computers. Thailand is the 10th biggest NLD gained control over the government investor in Vietnam and its 5th greatest which led to the military junta’s demise, as trade partner. At their Joint Cabinet Htin Kyaw was sworn in as president in meeting in 2015, the countries agreed to lift March of 2016.4 Today, the nation is trade to $20 billion by the year 2020 by progressing and developing rapidly, channeling their efforts towards agriculture, especially economically. The U.S. has lifted the seafood industry, manufacturing, and many sanctions off of Myanmar in the last transportation. few years, and has resumed diplomatic A new restriction for travelers in relations with the country after several Thailand require all citizens of 10 specific decades of cut ties. countries, including Vietnam, to show proof It is difficult to describe the relationship of carrying at least $700 before entering the between Myanmar and Thailand simply country. Vietnam is the only country of because the former just began to step out of ASEAN that is included in the list of its isolationist period after the NLD took countries to search upon entrance. control of the nation in March of 2016. Like Naturally, the Vietnamese or complaining. Thailand, Myanmar was under British Than Nien News states that the new travel colonial rule during the 19th and 20th restrictions were introduced because centuries, when it gained independence in “Vietnamese entered Thailand as tourists to 1948. Throughout recent years Thailand commit crimes and work illegally accepted refugees from Myanmar alongside (particularly in prostitution).” This tension other nations.5 Although at a minimum, between the countries may lead to boycotts Myanmar and India have had minor or trade future trade issues. conflicts near the border.6 The construction of the well known “Friendship Road” was intended to better relations between the two countries, but did not succeed much with it.
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However, the bulk of the relationship interest in mending the economic between Myanmar and Thailand will begin relationship with Thailand in 2015 as a to take shape within the next few months response to China’s growing interest in and even years to come as long as the Southeast Asia. Japan’s foreign minister has country’s leaders choose to open up relations pledged to help Southeast Asian economies, with foreign governments, which would particularly those near the Mekong region. entail trade and diplomatic relations. Japan has announced to improve infrastructure and development of countries Japan in the lower Mekong river with a financial aid of $7 billion over three years. Japan and Thailand’s relationship with Japan Thailand are currently working together to has gone back as early as September 1887. create a high-speed railway that would link Historical evidence points the earliest Bangkok with eastern and relationships as between the Ayudhaya, the western provinces. Thailand empire at the time, and the Ryuku kingdom in the 15th century. Trade would become active in the 17th century, until Japan decides to close of it’s borders to the Australia outside world. Eventually, the two would Thailand and Australia established restore their trading relationship, this time diplomatic relations in 1952. The two between Siam and Japan in 1887. During countries cooperate in multiple areas of this time, Japanese experts on various mutual interest. To reinforce this subjects such as law, education, and culture relationship, a treaty-level Agreement on were sent to Thailand to aid the country in Bilateral Cooperation was signed on 27 July modernizing itself. Even during WWII, 2005, providing a framework for non-trade Thailand had at one point allied itself with subjects; one of them being tourism, which the Japanese. is especially important for both countries, To this day, the Imperial Family of Japan reinforced by the Memorandum of and the Royal Family of Thailand have Understanding (MOU), which allows maintained a close relationship with each citizens of both countries to go on 12-month other. The two countries have also been working holidays in the other country, on a working closely together in both political 'Work and Holiday' visa. and security issues, holding Politico-Military The economic relationship between Talks annually since 1998. In fact, 2017 is the the two countries has been strengthened 130th year anniversary of diplomatic since 2005, with the Thailand-Australia Free relations between the two countries. Both Trade Agreement (TAFTA), which reduced countries are expected to organize national 94 per cent of tariffs and quota barriers on events to commemorate the occasion. Australian imports to Thailand; opened Economically, Thailand had been the major access to Thailand’s service market, along manufacturing hub for Japan. However, due with a commitment to liberase two-way to the 2011 flood and political turmoil, services trade; increased access for Japanese businesses moved to different Australian investors in Thailand in many countries such as Indonesia, India, and areas, such as tertiary education institutions, Cambodia. A military coup in Thailand in maritime cargo services and construction; 2014 and the resulting martial law had also the agreement also facilitates the emission of hurt Japan’s confidence for manufacturing business visas, with reduced paperwork and in Thailand. Japan has showed renewed extension of the maximum length of stay.
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Thailand is also signatory of the ASEANAustralia-New Zealand Free Trade Area (AANZFTA), from 2012, which includes Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. The key elements of the agreement are the reduction of tariffs, the establishment of built-in agendas for ongoing economic engagement.
India The two countries established formal diplomatic relations soon after India gained independence in 1947, and both have been culturally and religiously connected since ancient history. However, the relations have expanded towards economic and commercial links. Some of the well-known agreements the two have been part of are ASEAN, ASEAN regional forum, East Asia Summit, BIMSTEC and the trilateral transport linkages amongst Myanmar, Thailand and India to name a few. Such relations are further deepened by the influence of Indian culture on Thailand’s, especially the language Thai and several cultural festivals and folklore. A highlight of the countries’ strategic partnership has been the Extradition Treaty, signed in June of 2013, which provides the legal framework for both the countries to extradite terrorists, fugitive offenders, transnational criminals and economic offenders. Although their security relationship has been relatively yet to be developed, India has assisted Thailand with military troops to combat Islamic separatists in the southern region of the country and Thailand has assisted in stalling or eliminating arms trafficking to curb the activities of Indian separatists.
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