Russia-Thailand relations 2003 study

Project Code:	RDG4610020 Project Title: 	New Russia Prospects for Expanded Relations with Thailand Investigator: 	Phiramontri R., Kunwong W., Jarusiriwat P., Sodsook N., E-mail Address: 	phiramon@tu.ac.th Project Period: 	1 September 2003 – 31 August 2004 The purpose of this research on New Russia and Prospects for Expanded Relations with Thailand is to study about some important aspects as follow 1)	the political, governmental , economic and foreign relations conditions of the Soviet Union, 2)	the policies maneuverings and implementings of the Soviet Union under Boris Yelsin and Vladimir Putin, 3)	the structures and the processes of the decision-makings on politics, government , economy and foreign relations of the Soviet Union, 4)	the states of Thai-Russian present relations in politics , security , investment , education , science and technology as well as culture and tourism , finally, 5)	the accessions to the Thai-Russian relations on politics, security , investment , education , science and technology as well as culture and tourism, 	This study is hoped to form a knowledge that how far the Russian Federation under the liberal democratic regime has developed and changed. Also, it is hoped for enlarging the accessions to the relations between the two countries in the  future. Besides, this research is mostly based on information and data from various sources materials in Thai , English and Russian  languages. The interview method is also applied. The informants are the persons and representatives from the related offices both in Thailand and Russia. Particularly, the interviews are much from the government and private sectors as well as individuals during the administrative periods of Thaksin Shinawat and President Vladimir Putin. The result of this research leads to some important conclusions. 1)	The attempt of the President Mikhael Gorbachev to reform the Soviet Union in both politics and economy has been done with an aim to get rid the development of obstacles and inefficiencies and to restore the stability and security of the country. This attempt finally ends with the cataclysm of the year 1991. 2)	It is found that the President Boris Yelsin has a very strong intention to reform Russia in every direction. His shock therapy of economic measures is particularly planned for transforming the socialist economy to the western system of liberal capitalism. In doing that he builds relations with the U.S.A. and the Western European countries in hope of assistances. Despite all the problem of prolonging instability, he at the end overcomes that hindrance and attains the purpose to find his trusted successor of political power, Vladimir Putin. President Vladimir Putin does not disappoint Yelsin because he is able to carry on the following task until the country reaches a stability and security. 3)	It is also found that the present Russia under Putin is in a high state of political security which provides a good atmosphere of investment. Although in the decision-making process is strongly formed by the governmental style of patronization, there are still many possible channels to be usefully approached in a proper feature and a right time. However, the new trend of the Putin government is striving to reform in order to lead the country to the goals of progress, transparency, well-defined arrangement. This brings about a more opened chance for the future investments of both Thai government and private sectors. 4) 	The Thai-Russian relations have been improved since the time of Gorbachev’s Indochinese peace supporting policy which brings around the withdrawal of Vietnamese troops from Cambodia and the cooperation for reestablishing a democratic government. Thereafter Thailand begins to adjust its anti-communist attitudes towards Russia and turns to Russia more and more after the fall of Russian Communism. This concurrence gradually helps bring down the flow of anti-Russian Communist in Thailand and commences the restoration of Thai-Russian relations in all aspects. 5)	Some suggestions have been done in this research for the ways to build relations between the two countries in manifold coperations and exchanges. Also, the relations are aimed to support, develop and solving problems or obstructions of the two countries in the manner of inter-dependent. 	Russia under Putin needs to enlarge its strategic economy and security for its restoration and superpower including playing a role of world balance to the U.S.A. and the EU. As for Thailand under Thaksin, the necessities are to make an allied relations with Russia, especially, in the fields of security, trade, investment, tourism, as well as science and technology, Therefore, there are much significant rations for the development of the closer relations between Thailand and Russia in the future. 	Finally, the approach of the Thai-Russian relations at present totally shows our people and society a great change in the form of foreign relations and within a new phrase of world development. Keyword:	Russia, Prospects of Expanded Relations with Thailand