Relationship dossier
Malaysia
Thailand
Relationship assessment
Practical cooperation on offshore resources and border security, alongside Malaysia's role in dialogue concerning southern Thailand
Malaysia toward Thailand
+45Malaysia has facilitated dialogue between the Thai government and representatives of the southern Thai insurgency. The two governments also cooperate through the Malaysia–Thailand Joint Authority, which oversees joint development of offshore resources.
Thailand toward Malaysia
+40Thailand participates with Malaysia in the Malaysia–Thailand Joint Authority for joint development of offshore resources and engages in bilateral cooperation on border security.
Overall relationship
+45The relationship has a durable cooperative structure, notably joint management of offshore resources and practical coordination on border matters. Malaysia's facilitation of dialogue concerning southern Thailand adds a significant political dimension. Border security challenges complicate cooperation, but the principal features of the bilateral relationship are collaborative.
How to read these scores
Scores are rough judgments, not objective measurements or current verification. Directional scores describe government policy and conduct, not public opinion. The overall score is an independent estimate, never an average.
- −100
- Extreme sustained hostility
- −50
- Substantially adversarial
- 0
- Mixed or neutral, supported by knowledge
- +50
- Substantially cooperative
- +100
- Exceptionally close sustained partnership
“Not assessed” means there is no recorded score. Pair existence makes no claim about diplomatic recognition or established relations.
Relationship context
Overview
Malaysia and Thailand maintain substantial practical cooperation, including joint development of offshore resources and collaboration on border security. Malaysia has also facilitated dialogue between the Thai government and representatives of the southern Thai insurgency. Cross-border security challenges remain important, but the relationship is not characterized by sustained interstate confrontation.
Areas of tension
- Security challenges associated with insurgent violence in southern Thailand and risks affecting the shared border.
Key developments
Malaysia and Thailand agreed to jointly develop resources in parts of the Gulf of Thailand through a bilateral arrangement that led to the Malaysia–Thailand Joint Authority.
Malaysia began facilitating dialogue between the Thai government and representatives of the southern Thai insurgency.
Major uncertainties
- The current scope and implementation of bilateral border-security cooperation are unclear.
- The extent and results of Malaysia's facilitation of dialogue concerning southern Thailand are uncertain.