Türkiye-Thailand relations during AK Party period (2002-2020)

Türkiye and Thailand have been relating since the Ottoman era, synchronously to Ayutthaya era of Thailand. Then Türkiye-Thailand diplomatic relations were established in 1958. Since AK Party became government party at the end of 2002, The Turkish foreign policy pays more attention towards Asian countries reflected by the latest initiative Asia Anew announced on 2019. In addition, the Turkish government has adopted a soft power policy to build more alliances with Southeast Asian countries including Thailand. This research is a qualitative research which aims to study Türkiye -Thailand relations especially between 2002-2020 in various dimensions. There is also the study of the development of both Türkiye's and Thailand's potential to reflect on enhancing the future relation. The findings show that Thailand tends to focus on defensive foreign policy whereas Türkiye tends to adopt a proactive policy. Both countries also give precedence on establishing foreign policies primarily with neighboring countries and great power countries owing to economic and political integration rather than with each other. The major obstacle for Thailand and Türkiye relations is distantness between both countries causing weak bond in both countries' relation.