Thailand–Vietnam relations

Thai-Vietnamese relations

Thailand	Vietnam

Thailand and Vietnam share current and historical bilateral relations. Thailand has an embassy in Hanoi and Vietnam has an embassy in Bangkok. Both countries are members of ASEAN.

History

Both two countries were, at least, under influence of India during historical past, as Siam and Southern part of Vietnam, Champa, were heavily Indianized by culture. However, the first real contact between Siam and Vietnam was recorded at 16th century.

During 18th century, one of Thailand's most revered King, Taksin, who united Siamese and liberate Siam from Burmese occupation and laid down the modern development of Siam, was of Vietnamese descent.

Siamese-Vietnamese wars

Further information: Siamese-Vietnamese wars

At least in historical records , Thailand (as Siam) and Vietnamese state had fought together in a massive war series which would begin in the early 18th century. However, the real biggest conflicts were recorded from the later 18th century.

Tây Sơn unrest

Main article: Battle of Rạch Gầm–Xoài Mút

After the overthrow of the Nguyễn Lord, Nguyễn Ánh, the last few survivors, sought vengeance by requesting assistance from Siam. Siamese force conducted a massive invasion into the newly annexed Southern Vietnam and committed atrocities there. It turned into a massive blow which, later, Siamese force was beaten disastrously by the Tay Son force, led by Nguyễn Huệ.

19th century

Main articles: Siamese–Vietnamese War (1831–34) and Siamese–Vietnamese War (1841–45)

The Siamese and Vietnamese had encountered in two massive wars at the region, which led much to the destruction of Cambodia. Vietnam had defeated Siam one and another war ended stalemate. Thus, rivalry between two powers in the region remained until the French invasion of Cochinchina, thus prevented another further conflict.

Vietnam War and Khmer Rouge

Main article: Vietnamese border raids in Thailand

Thailand participated in the Vietnam War on the side of the United States due to the fears over Communist domino theory and the communist insurgency in Thailand. Thailand deployed 12,000–15,000 troops to fight on this war; of these, over 2,000 casualties weres recorded. After 1975, Thailand–Vietnam relations remained sour and very tense.

After the Vietnamese invasion of Cambodia, resulted to the overthrown of Khmer Rouge, Vietnam went into a massive conflict with Thailand due to Thailand's supports for the overthrown regime. Border raids were launched between both two nations and damaged much of Cambodia, thus made their relationship remaining sour.

Hostility between Thailand and Vietnam only ended at 1989, when Vietnamese force retreated from Cambodia.

Modern relations

After Nguyễn Văn Linh's 1986 Đổi mới reforms, Vietnam had moved from a socialist state into more integrated to international society. As for the result, Thai–Vietnamese relations has quickly improved in the similar effect. Thailand, a founding member of ASEAN, had supported Vietnam on joining the ASEAN which Vietnam would become a member at 1995. Thus, the once poor relationship between Thailand and Vietnam turns into strategic cooperation and alliance.

Economic relations

In 2015, Thailand was the 10th largest investor in Vietnam worth nearly USD7 billion. Thailand was also Vietnam's fifth biggest trading partner.