Thailand should continue to uphold its neutrality over the territorial conflict in the South China Sea and tread carefully in forging diplomacy with countries embroiled in the dispute, a seminar was told. Phum Mulsilp, a lecturer at Srinakharinwirot University's Faculty of Social Sciences, said the dispute over the South China Sea (SCS) stemmed chiefly from struggles for natural resources and the territorial claims that various countries have asserted. These definitions have a direct bearing on the territorial powers, rights and interests of states running coastlines in the SCS. The US, meanwhile, has consistently refused to acknowledge China's territorial claims in the SCS, citing freedom of navigation. Sitting on the fence, Thailand should act carefully and play its diplomacy card with countries that are parties to the SCS conflict.
