Thailand's Peacekeeping Role in Southeast Asia Essay

Vision Statement:

The Royal Thai Government and the Royal Thai Armed Forces have a vision of increased national peacekeeping capability and a more active function in promoting peace, stability, and the tranquil resolution of conflicts in the area.

By developing a reliable training system, peace operations teaching, and developing our fitness instructors to UN-certified standards, Thailand will achieve the self-sustainable ability to train officers throughout Asia, be able to promote peace and end up being a regional leader in peace operations.

Method:

To recognize this vision within the next five years, Thailand will focus on 5 areas:

• 1. Development of Peacekeeping doctrine.
• 2. Establish UN-certified instructor cadres and curriculum.
• 3. Advancement and conduct of individual and collective training courses.
• 4. Structure peace operations training centers at the Supreme Command Headquarters in Bangkok, and the Royal Thai Army Infantry Center in Prajuabkirikhan
• 5. Use EIPC and APRI financing to advance our general vision and strategy.

Thai National Policies

Amongst the aims of across the country policy is "To establish close armed forces cooperation and good understanding to name a few bordering militaries and also ASEAN (based upon diplomacy), to sustain World Peace Keeping". On 15 September 1998, the cabinet authorized in concept, Thailand applying the UN Stand-By Arrangement System. In addition, on 18 September 1998, Thailand offered a list of abilities (level 1) to the UN and has upgraded those lists every year. In response to this governmental policy, the Ministry of Defense policy echoes the goal "To develop close military cooperation to name a few next-door neighbor militaries and ASEAN in order to decrease suspicion, contribute to peace structure, assistance humanitarian operations, and the favorable advantages this has to Thailand". On 17 December 2000, The Minister of Defense approved the facility of a Peace Operations Division as an organic system of J-3, serving as the Supreme Command Peace Operations. These plans are displayed in the Supreme Command Headquarters long term and also yearly plan that "The Royal Thai Armed Forces (RTARF) should accept the UN in Peace Keeping as well as Humanitarian procedures" In addition, the operations policy of the Supreme Commander (2003) specifies that "The RTARF needs to have training for Peace Keeping Operations (PKOs) to support the UN by establishing a Peace Operations Centre and subsequent training programs" Thailand has consequently deployed forces on numerous objectives including UN, INTERFET and also Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom, with the emphasis on peace operations and humanitarian operations. The RTARF is also included at a regional level with ceasefire monitoring in Aceh