THAILAND PRIME MINISTER CANCELS CHINA VISIT DUE TO THE STRONG FLOOD

The flood crisis in Thailand forces PM Yingluck Shinawatra to cancel her visit to China due from Oct 19 to 21. China was the first country to donate financial support to Thailand after the flood. This visit was meant to seal already strong relations between the two countries but this cancellation comes in wake of a serious diplomatic push by China for a more serious investigation into the murders of 12 Chinese crewmen of cargo vessels captured by drug smugglers on the Mekong river (this river runs through China´s Yunnan province, Burma, Laos, Thailand, Vietnam and Cambodia. Laos, Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam established the Mekong River Commission (MRC) in 1995 to assist in the management and coordinated use of the Mekong's resources. In 1996 China and Burma became "dialogue partners" of the MRC and the six countries now work together within a cooperative framework).

"Investigation of the incident and the search for the missing crewman are still going on. “The Foreign Ministry and the government of Yunnan province are coordinating with the governments of Thailand, Myanmar (Burma) and Laos to guarantee the safety of homebound Chinese vessels and crewmen and provide convenience for a Chinese police patrol ship for escort," said Ms. Liu. China has demanded these three countries to give active assistance for the investigation by arresting and punishing the perpetrators according to the law and provide protection and ensure safety of the crew and ships. Thailand, Burma and Laos were also urged to take effective measures to strengthen protection of Chinese crew members and ships plying on Mekong River to prevent similar crimes. The diplomats of the three countries were willing to fully cooperate with China to actively carry out investigation and provide full assistance to properly handle the aftermath, according to the Chinese Foreign Ministry´s website.

It is difficult to say whether the role of the Thai Government regarding this issue would be a response, taking into account their powerful situation within the Mekong River, or a quiet claim for more help. We all know that in international relations, it is all about favors, alliances and interests so I think that no matter what Thailand actual response or capability to do something within this situation is, they should try their best to keep allies “happy”. China is nowadays one of the most powerful and best allies a country can have and given the recent situation in Thailand after the flood disasters with the bad consequences it has caused to Thai industry and economy, they should keep this good relationship by helping them in all the different matters they have position to do so, because the reward is highly beneficial for them too.

http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/local/261353/pm-cancels-china-visit