Great Friend Russia: Groupthink and Foreign Policy Decision Making among Thai and Russian Elites during 1893-1904

Abstract

This article investigates the factors that underpinned the establishment of diplomatic relations between Thailand and Russia. While this subject has been extensively explored by both domestic and international scholars, existing studies predominantly employ a Realist framework within international relations or adopt a singular national perspective (either Thai or Russian). Consequently, this article offers a novel interpretation by analyzing primary documents, including King Rama V’s letters, Foreign Office Records, and personal diaries, through the lens of ‘groupthink.’ This concept emphasizes the agency level and facilitates the analysis of factors contributing to collective foreign policy decisions. Applying this framework, the article argues that during the period of 1893-1904, both Thai and Russian elites perceived the establishment of official relations as a crucial means to advance their respective foreign policy objectives. For Thailand, the relationship with Russia was considered the most viable avenue to facilitate negotiations with France. Conversely, for Russia, Thailand was viewed as an integral component of a broader eastward strategic policy. Nevertheless, the establishment of Thai-Russian relations ultimately did not fully achieve its initial intended purposes for either party.