High-wire act to please all

THAILAND has been walking the diplomatic tightrope since the launch of the war against Iraq. The precarious posture is designed to please all parties – its traditional ally the United States, Asean neighbours who are opposed to the war, the Buddhist majority, the Muslim minority and the business sector. 

The government has been treading gingerly on the high-wire, wielding the balancing pole ever so skilfully but it has not earned much plaudits for its performance so far.