Thai Expectations of the <scp>EU</scp> 's Evolving Security Role: Opportunities and Limitations

ABSTRACT This article analyses Thailand's perceptions of the European Union (EU) as an actor in the Indo‐Pacific, based on interviews with 13 government officials and foreign policy influencers conducted under the EU in the Indo‐Pacific (EUIP) Jean Monnet Network. It examines how Thai elites interpret the EU's priorities, geopolitical relevance and the implications of the Russia–Ukraine war for Europe's role in the region. Thailand views the EU positively—as a standard setter, policy model and constructive economic partner—but not as a leading geopolitical actor. Sustainable and inclusive prosperity and the green transition are seen as key areas for cooperation, while digital governance and connectivity hold growing potential. Security and defence, by contrast, remain peripheral. Officials assess the EU's importance more highly than influencers, reflecting closer institutional familiarity. The article situates these findings within the evolving Indo‐Pacific order, arguing that the EU's influence in Asia depends less on hard power than on relational and regulatory engagement. It concludes with recommendations to deepen relationship‐based cooperation, leverage ASEAN centrality and prioritize ‘low politics’ domains that yield long‐term strategic value.