Thailand's decision to join 127 other countries at the United Nations in opposing US President Donald Trump's move to recognise Jerusalem as Israel's capital is unlikely to hurt Thai-US relations, a government official said on Friday.
The vote on Thursday took place despite Mr Trump's threat to cut off aid to any country that opposed him.
"Thai-US relations have many aspects. We cooperate in many areas and we have not received financial assistance from the US for many years as our status is no longer 'a receiver'," Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Busadee Santipitaks said.
What assistance there is comes through regional projects or cooperation, she said.
Chulalongkorn University political scientist Surachart Bamrungsuk welcomed the Thai government's stance at the UN.
"I am glad Thailand voted this way. We could have chosen to abstain like 35 other countries did. Instead, we chose to show a clear stance even if it means going against the US," he said.
"It also shows the Muslim community in Thailand that our country does not always follow the US," he said adding the US move would stir up further conflict.
He said the US decision has brought its credibility as a facilitator in solving Middle East conflicts into question, especially with Russian influence growing.
Thursday's UN resolution declaring US action on Jerusalem "null and void" was approved by a vote of 128-9.
The resolution reaffirmed what has been the UN's stance on the holy city since 1967: that Jerusalem's final status must be decided in direct negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians.
A Foreign Ministry spokesperson earlier told the Bangkok Post: "Thailand agrees with the Statement of the United Nations Secretary-General that Jerusalem is an issue that must be resolved through direct negotiations between the two parties."
"Thailand fully supports efforts to support Palestine and Israel to return to meaningful negotiations in order to realise the vision of a lasting peace for both people," the spokesperson said.