Idea of Chinese cops on Thai soil sparks concerns over sovereignty

Proposal quashed by PM but furore turns spotlight on kingdoms reliance on China

- Tan Tam Mei

BANGKOK - A proposal to invite the Chinese police to patrol tourist cities in Thailand has sparked an outcry among the Thais, with one commentator calling it a "slap in the face".

While Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin has quashed the suggestion mooted by the Tourism Authority of Thailand on Nov 13, citing miscommunication, the furore has put the spotlight on the country's reliance on China.

"This is clearly a slap in the face," said the former deputy director of National Intelligence Agency Nantiwat Samart in a Facebook post, noting that such a plan would undermine the authority of Thailand and its police.

Stationing the Chinese police in Thailand would undermine the principle of sovereignty, where a country has exclusive power over happenings within its borders and outside actors cannot intervene, said analysts.

Sovereignty is not something that territories should give up easily, even for economic benefits, said Dr Greg Raymond, a senior lecturer at the Australian National University's Strategic and Defence Studies Centre.

Under pressure to uplift Thailand's sluggish economy, PM Srettha has been travelling around the world to drum up foreign investment. His administration has been preparing a series of economic stimulus measures to spur domestic consumption, including borrowing 500 billion baht (S$19.2 billion) to fund a handout for about 50 million Thais.

Part of the recovery plan includes raising tourist revenue, and the joint patrols were touted by the tourism authority as a way to build confidence among Chinese tourists amid concerns over safety and kidnapping scams in the region.