Just for the fun of discussion, lets speak hypothetically.
The Thai Military Expansion.
We all know that Thailand is know control by a militarilistic
government. The current Thai PM, with the support of the Thai king
would probably replace the parliament with military generals.
Needless to say, balls will get bigger in Thailand and military
spendings are bound to raise. Thailand would begin re-structuring
her military organisation and rebuilding her former glory. After
all, Thailand was the only country that was not colonize in S.E.A
during the colonial times.
Cannons would begin
to point towards Burma/Myanmar, which was Thailand's traditional
rival. Centuries of war have been fought between these 2 countries.
e.g. white elephant war, , ransacking of temples. Some of Myanmar
lands like the Shan States have been disputed and claimed by
Thailand.
The Thai military
expansion would probably go eastwards too. To Laos and Cambodia.
These states have been traditionally Thai sovereign, Thailand gave
up sovereignty of these states due to external pressures and
colonial
appleasement. Moreover, Cambodia and Laos are 3rd world countries
that so culturally similiar to Thailand. Would we see a merger
similiar to Germany-Austria? or a swift invasion like
Germany-Poland?
Then there is
Thailand's restless muslim malay southern states. In an effort to
pacify the southern thai states, would Thailand move southwards to
attack West malaysia on the pretext of merger to 2 malays peoples
together.
Lastly on the
southern most tip of Malaya lies Singapore. Where all the ruckus of
Thai militarism began. Singapore's Ho Ching made a blunder that
ousted Thaksin's economic driven govt. A singaporean 96% buyover of
Shin Corp would mean that Thailand will have the right to accuse
Singapore of spying. Afterall, Shin Corp is a multi-billion
communication govt-linked cooperation in Thailand. Thailand would
invade Singapore too on the grounds that Singapore's Temasek-Shin
Corp had top secret information that would jeopordize
Thailand.
History has shown that the Thai's are very politically smart,
avoiding centuries of colonization and war. E.g. the alliance
between japan-thai during WW2 that resulted to the collapse of
S.E.A and hasten the battle in oceania.
We are already beginning to see the change in Thailand's politics.
Ecomomy boosting plans have been shelved off in flavour of military
spending. Singapore-Thailand cold war, Thailand reviewing
Singapore's used of Saiyuk Camp...
Would a mistake by Singapore's Elite Ho Ching pave the way for a
major S.E.A war that includes Thailand, Burma, Cambodia, Laos,
Malaysia and Singapore?
