Historically, Thailand and Vietnam were major rivals in mainland Southeast Asia. Although both countries still have a rivalry with each other, they have maintained peaceful bilateral relations since Vietnam integrated with the international community beginning in 1986. Thailand has an embassy in Vietnam's capital Hanoi and Vietnam has an embassy in Thailand's capital Bangkok.[1] Both countries are members of ASEAN.
The first real contact between Siam (today called Thailand) and Vietnam was recorded in the 16th century. The earliest recorded war occurred in 1313 when the Kingdom of Sukhothai attacked the Kingdom of Champa, which was a vassal state of kingdom of Đại Việt under the Trần dynasty. [2]
Thailand (as Siam) and the Vietnamese state fought together in a massive series of wars that began in the early 18th century. However, larger conflicts were recorded from the later 18th century.
After the overthrow of the Nguyễn Lord, Nguyễn Ánh, the last few survivors sought vengeance by requesting assistance from Siam, whose force conducted a massive invasion into the newly-annexed southern Vietnam and committed atrocities there. A massive blow later has Siam being beaten disastrously by the Tay Son force, led by Nguyễn Huệ.
The Siamese and Vietnamese fought two massive wars in the region, resulting in heavy destruction of Cambodia. Vietnam defeated Siam in the first, while the second ended in a stalemate. The rivalry between the two countries remained until the French invasion of Cochinchina.
After the Vietnamese invasion of Cambodia which resulted in the overthrow of the genocidalKhmer Rouge led by Pol Pot, Thailand was in conflict with Vietnam because of Thai opposition to Vietnam's occupation of Cambodia. Border raids were launched between both nations, damaged much of Cambodia, and further soured relations.
Hostility between Thailand and Vietnam ended in 1989, when Vietnamese forces withdrew from Cambodia.
Modern relations
After Nguyễn Văn Linh's 1986 Đổi mới reforms, Vietnam moved from socialism to more integration with the international community. As a result, Thai–Vietnamese relations have quickly improved. Thailand, a founding member of ASEAN, supported Vietnam in joining the ASEAN, which occurred in 1995. Thus, the once-poor relationship between Thailand and Vietnam has turned into one of strategic co-operation and alliance.[4]
Economic relations
In 2015, Thailand was the tenth-largest investor in Vietnam, worth nearly US$7 billion. Thailand was also Vietnam's fifth-largest trading partner.[4]
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