UN Peacekeeping
The development and modernization of the Royal Thai Armed Forces from counter-insurgency to conventional force during the past two decades has increased the kingdom's ability to play a role in UN peacekeeping. In addition, Thailand's participation in United Nation's peacekeeping missions is a more recent example of the kingdom's increasing role in peace and stability in Southeast Asia. Thailand's willingness to make this commitment indicates the country's foreign policy desire to expand its influence in Asean and the region. Thailand also dispatched 1,500 soldiers to the International Force in East Timor (UNTAET) beginning in September 1999. Several hundred Thai troops remain in Timor but they expected to be withdrawn sometime in 2004. Thailand is ready to get involved in Afghanistan with more than “sharing her experiences and knowledge in opium cultivation reduction through crop substitution program under the renowned Royal Sponsored Project of His Majesty the King”-- Dr. Surakiart Sathirathai Minister Of Foreign Affairs sep 2002. Thailand has announced her readiness to send troops to join the UN peacekeeping mission in Afghanistan. Thailand is also involved in the international coalition against terrorism, and is scheduled to deploy troops to Afghanistan sometime in 2004. The Supreme Commander of the Royal Thai Armed Forces said a contingent of about 100 medical staff and technicians from the army, most of whom would be Thai Muslims, would be deployed to Afghanistan after the issues of equipment and clothing for cold weather operations had been resolved.
