Outlook for Thailand's ties with other South-east Asian powers and the United States.
As Thailand moves uncertainly toward a new constitution and parliamentary elections in 2016, the junta is seeking this year to strengthen relations with other South-east Asian governments and regional powers. The junta aims to boost investor confidence and its political legitimacy by reclaiming Thailand's past role as a major ASEAN actor.
A Code of Conduct with China in the South China Sea is unlikely.
Despite rhetorical rifts, Washington and Bangkok will continue to cooperate on key regional issues, such as Cobra Gold military exercises.
To Beijing, US ties with South-east Asia will justify China's military aggrandisement and cultivation of regional proxies such as Laos.
