ABSTRACT
Thailand's policy and practices on blue security are a work in progress. Maritime security has increasingly gained attention in Thailand over the past decade. Under the 20-year National Strategy (2017–2036), a new law and related plans focusing on maritime security were issued, followed by the establishment of the Thai Maritime Enforcement Command Center (Thai-MECC) in 2019. There are several outstanding characteristics and challenges. First, in terms of national maritime interests, issues of sovereignty, non-traditional security, environment, fisheries, and safety top the agenda. While non-traditional security and environment are apparently treated with great importance as Thailand has no immediate state-level threat, the leadership taken by the navy inevitably gears the emphasis toward traditional security. Second, rather than being preventive and plan-oriented, the operation has been pressed with immediate problem-solving, like oil leakages and illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing. Third, capacity building is needed in many areas, including maritime cybersecurity and maritime spatial planning. Fourth, ‘blue security’ is still insufficiently linked to ‘blue economy’, which tends to traditionally focus on tourism and logistics, despite its high potential in resources and blue carbon. Finally, Thailand still lacks sufficient awareness as a maritime nation. Overall, international cooperation and persuasion are crucial in propelling Thai blue security ahead.
