Thai Journal of East Asian Studies

Strategic Defense Cooperation: The Evolving United States-Singapore Partnership from 2004 to 2024

Thi Hue Truong — Tue, 30 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0700

Between 2004 and 2024, under Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, security and defense cooperation between Singapore and the United States of America (US) deepened significantly. The 2005 Strategic Framework Agreement boosted enhanced security, defense, and military collaboration, establishing Singapore as a pivotal American defense partner in Southeast Asia. This partnership comprised joint military exercises, intelligence sharing, defense capacity-building, and responses to non-traditional security threats such as terrorism and cyberwarfare. Additionally, Singapore supported the 2012 Obama Administration Pivot to East Asia strategy by providing critical infrastructure for regional operations. Amid rising geopolitical tensions in the Indo-Pacific, the Singapore-US defense relationship remains vital for regional security and stability. This qualitative research traces the evolution of strategic defense cooperation over the past two decades, highlighting how Singapore has maintained a strong alliance despite increasing US-China competition. This enduring partnership is supported by strategic hedging, institutional trust, and pragmatic diplomacy. Data is gathered by document analysis and case studies to examine key strategies and mechanisms helping Singapore achieve close defense cooperation with America while balancing its rapport with China.

Cultural Relations in Performing Arts of Thailand and Cambodia: A Case Study of Lakhon Nai and Lakhon Preah Reach Troap

Noppadon Kanokmanuttumrong — Tue, 30 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0700

This qualitative descriptive research analyzes similarities and differences in content as well as performance processes and elements between court dances of Thailand and Cambodia. Case studies are done of Lakhon Nai and Lakhon Preah Reach Trop. Data is collected from documents, including books and academic publications, as well as participant and non-participant observation. Performance elements are compared, including costumes, musical ensembles, song and accompaniments, scripts, choreography, preludes, and prayer ceremonies. Results are that Lakhon Nai and Cambodian Lakhon Preah Reach Trop are royal court drama art forms employed by monarchies as royal regalia. Lakhon Nai has influenced the development of Robam Preah Reach Trop, which evolved into a distinct dramatic genre. Despite this unique Cambodian aspect, shared elements remain perceptible. Lakhon Nai is echoed in Cambodian choreography, costumes, music, ensembles, and preludes. These findings reflect cultural transmission and exchange between Thailand and Cambodia in the performing arts.

Geopolitical Impacts of the Belt and Road Initiative on the Gulf of Thailand

Chawapon Changklang, Suriyasai Katasila — Tue, 30 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0700

This qualitative research explores geopolitical dynamics associated with the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) in maritime domains, focusing on the Gulf of Thailand. To propose strategic preparedness measures for Thailand, three key objectives are to analyze: 1) motivations behind expanded Chinese BRI-related influence; 2) the BRI component in China’s geopolitical competitiveness; and 3) geopolitical impacts of BRI operations in the Gulf of Thailand. Data is gathered by in-depth interviews from 20 informants, including academics, government officials, and business sector representatives. Results are that the Maritime Silk Road, an integral BRI component, is influenced by several factors beyond initial geopolitical motivations. The BRI has emerged as a multifaceted strategy enhancing China's geopolitical presence through economic initiatives and extending military and energy-related security power. In the Gulf of Thailand, BRI-associated infrastructure and connectivity projects have elevated regional strategic significance as a logistical and energy corridor for China, while serving as a potential platform for maritime security expansion. This has prompted diverse regional and global actors to adopt responsive strategies to counterbalance Chinese influence; they include the United States of America; India; Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) member countries; and neighboring littoral states. These findings suggest that Thailand should balance its foreign policy by hedging strategies and proactively implementing protective political, economic, and security measures to safeguard national interests amid intensifying geopolitical competition.

Return to Realism: Declining American Hegemony, Rising China, and the Future of ASEAN Human Rights

William J Jones — Tue, 30 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0700

In the late 1980’s, the institutionalization of human rights began in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). As Western states promoted progressive values internationally, ASEAN states began liberalizing. In 2009, the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR) was inaugurated. Since then, the AICHR has failed to intervene during many human rights abuses. This article studies the origins of AICHR, noting that with declining American hegemony and rising Chinese influence, Western-style human rights has lost regional promotion. United States (US) realism and Southeast Asian regionalism may leave human rights dependent on ASEAN member states.

Deciphering the Scarcity of Innovative Talent in China: Insights from the Structure-Agency-Culture Framework

Yi Zhang — Tue, 30 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0700

China has emerged as an economic superpower that rivals the United States in many ways, but challenges persist, especially a paucity of innovative talent. The question reportedly posed by the Chinese aerospace engineer and cyberneticist Qian Xuesen about why Chinese schools fail to produce outstanding science and technology talent became more urgent after the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. The percentage of graduates with higher education degrees continues to rise, yet their contributions to national development, such as industrial innovation and upgrading, have not increased proportionally. This hinders progress across diverse social strata and leads to social issues, such as a heightened structural unemployment rate. This article uses the structure-agency-culture (SAC) framework, a literature review, qualitative research, and comparative analysis to analyze the impact of factors contributing to this issue. The goal is to create guidelines for other nations, including Thailand, to address comparable social challenges.

Harmonizing Hindu and Buddhist Beliefs with Indigenous Culture in Bali

Surat Khamsopha, Phra Maha Jirawat Kantawanno, Sanoh Phadungchat — Tue, 30 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0700

This article studies harmonization of Hindu and Buddhist beliefs and indigenous culture in Bali, where the two religions are intertwined by long-held indigenous belief and culture. Agama Hindu Dharma, the unique form of Hinduism practiced primarily in Bali, Indonesia, is the majority religion, combining ancient Javanese beliefs, faith in Hindu gods, and nature and spirit rituals. Buddhism, with a minority of followers, retains influence through temple and ritual concepts and symbols, including karma, compassion, and Nirvana.

In Indonesia, Hindus and Buddhists coexist peacefully. Balinese indigenous culture participates in integrating religion in lifestyles, through merit making, almsgiving, festivals and performing arts which express faith and with respect for nature, the sacred, and ancestors.