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UBC Theses and Dissertations

Thailand and international law Burns, Wayne Douglas

Abstract

This thesis is an analytical study of Thailand's, culture, society, history and foreign relations, and the effect all these factors have had on its behaviour relative to International Law. It involves an analysis of its historical development as a sovereign state and its early treaties with the European powers. The role of certain institutions in its society such as the military and the bureaucracy are analyzed particularly regarding their influence on Thailand's stance on international politics and to a lesser extent, on international law. An analysis of the one case Thailand has dealt with in the International Court of Justice is presented in the context of Thailand's growing participation in international organisations and specifically, the United Nations. As for its record dealing with human rights issues, a chapter is devoted to the reasons for Thailand's response to international human rights covenants, as evidenced by the way it treats women, minority groups and refugees. Finally, a chapter is devoted to Thailand's involvement with the newly emerging international Law of the Sea and the problems which arose for its fisheries as a result of this new regime. Overall, Thailand is portrayed as becoming more aware of International Law as a means to effect its policies and the example of its behaviour regarding the Vietnamese invasion in Cambodia is given and the favourable response its stance has received, which has supported the style of diplomacy it has used relative to that conflict, over the 1980's.

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