Dr Frederick Kliem, Research Fellow and Lecturer, Centre for Multilateralism Studies (CMS), S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies (RSIS), said “Thailand, just like all Asean states, has very complex and multifaceted strategic reasons to behave and vote the way it does”.

Dr Alan Chong, Associate Professor, Centre for Multilateralism Studies (CMS), S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies (RSIS), said many observers will also be monitoring Vietnam, given its close ties with Russia. Vietnam was a “bellwether” of Asean solidarity. “The moment Vietnam is perceived to side with the West and the rest of Asean on the Ukraine invasion, it is an important turning moment. They will reach that moment when Russia is losing and there’s no point showing this balanced position any more, then they will move over to the majoritarian view.”