Thailand

China slightly leads the United States as the most influential country in Thailand, with Japan not far behind. Thailand’s ally the United States remains the most important defence cooperation partner, but China leads on all other dimensions of influence, although it is notable that Japan comes close to matching China’s economic influence, the result of a long legacy of investment in Thailand by Japanese companies. Thailand’s influence is greatest in its own neighbourhood, particularly Laos, Myanmar, and Cambodia, where it ranks first, second, and third respectively for overall influence.