Karuna

Obama was smooth, polished, charismatic, intelligent, likeable. But he was no better than any of the other POTUS - he never followed through on his “liberal” promises (such as closing Gunatanamo), and spent Tuesday mornings signing off on who the military/CIA was allowed to drone/murder that week. As well as supporting the on-going US invasions in Iraq & Afghanistan, Obama also initiated new wars in Yemen, Syria and Libya. The MIC would certainly give him its Seal of Approval.

A sensible move, and in keeping with Thailand’s historical success in the colonial era of navigating between competing power blocs to maintain its independence. And any country interested in a successful future would be insane to NOT join BRICS.