Under China’s shadow: Authoritarian rule and domestic political divisions in Thailand

Abstract

This article examines the relationship between public perception of China in Thailand and the domestic political divisions in the country that reflect people’s orientation towards either democratic or authoritarian values. Utilizing data from an original survey, we explore the alignment between individuals’ political values and their perceptions of China’s impact on Thailand and Southeast Asia. We argue that there is an entanglement of the ‘China factor’ in Thailand, which is mediated through polarized domestic politics. First, there is a close correlation between people’s ideological values and their perceptions of China. Different political dispositions condition people’s judgement of China’s public image. Furthermore, there are notable political divisions within the country that view China’s regional influence and its impact on Thailand differently. As a result, opposing political forces in the country have strategically used China and its perceived influence or alignment as a political tool in domestic debates and power struggles.