At a regional security meeting hosted by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations in Malaysia earlier this month, the Thai foreign minister, Gen. Thanasak Patimaprakorn, openly flirted with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi while emphasizing a profound friendship between the two nations.
"At this moment, we believe this is the best time for our relationship, especially for my personal contact with Minister Wang Yi who is a very nice and polite person," Gen. Tanasak said in describing Thailand's relationship with China, which, he claimed, goes back 1,000 years. "If I were a woman, I would fall in love with his excellency," Thanasak added.
There are a myriad of reasons behind Thailand's renewed comradeship with China. Since the coup of May 2014, Thailand has found itself being isolated by the international community. A number of Western governments have imposed tough sanctions against the military regime led by Gen. Prayuth Chan-ocha, who appointed himself prime minister.