Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai has proposed the "5S" model covering security, sustainability, standards, status and synergy to focus more on bringing about greater benefits to the people.
‘‘ We are now changing our role from one of taking to giving in order to move the region forward."
Don Pramudwinai
Foreign Minister
According to Mr Don, under the security and sustainability areas, the ministry will work harder to handle non-traditional threats such as epidemics, food security, climate change and terrorism, while sustainably developing trade and investment for Thailand and other countries.
In regards to standards, Mr Don pointed to the country's improved performance in cleaning up illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, the improved ranking in the US State Department's Trafficking in Persons (TIP) report and aviation safety standards.
"We need to upgrade our capacity to meet global standards and, as the hub of Southeast Asia, [Thailand] has considerable work to do. We are now changing our role from one of taking to giving in order to move the region forward," Mr Don told the Bangkok Post in an interview.
Under the area of synergy, Mr Don noted that the government's Pracharat model, which refers to close cooperation among the people, the government and the business sector to pursue sustainable development and boost the economy at the grassroots level, is also being used as a guideline for the ministry to increase benefits for the people.
"Our foreign policy is practical because it is built around the benefits and livelihoods of the Thai people," Mr Don said.
At the same time, Thailand has begun stepping up its cooperation with South American countries, including Colombia, Brazil, Argentina and Peru in many areas, he noted.
In addition, Thailand's relations with countries in the Middle East are also showing progress, while there were a large number of visits made last year by South Asian leaders from India, Sri Lanka and Bhutan.
Asked to comment on relations with longtime ally, the United States, which took a step backward following the coup in 2014, Mr Don emphasised that 184 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries will ensure a strong bilateral relationship and the ability to move on.
"Thailand's relations with the US improved after the charter referendum, which passed with transparency, respecting the voice of the Thai people in addition to the country's efforts to restore democracy," he said, asking to wait and see for any change in US foreign policy toward the kingdom under the incoming Trump administration.
Ties with the European Union are also likely to improve this year, he said.
Thailand's firm commitment to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) and smooth cooperation with China, Japan, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand will remain unchanged, he added.
"I have confidence that Thailand's next steps this year will be excellent," he added.
As Thailand maintains its relations with old allies and reaches out to new key powers, academics have warned state agencies to "play it safe" as some countries are involved in conflicts at home and fighting against terrorist groups across borders.
"You will not get hurt from cooperating and doing trade with India, but closer relations with China and Russia can cause security concerns for our nation," said Surat Horachaikul, Director of the India Studies Centre at Chulalongkorn University.
However, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government has tried on several occasions to convince Thailand to openly fight against terrorists, especially those from Pakistan, he said.
Pakistan has been accused by India of sponsoring terrorist activities and attacks targeting India.
"It is not necessary for Thailand to declare the specific names of terrorist groups [we are against]," Mr Surat said.
Sarawut Aree, deputy director of the Muslim Studies Centre at the same university, said that improving diplomatic ties with Middle Eastern powers requires a "thoughtful" approach.
"Iran and the Persian Gulf countries, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates [UAE] are competing for influence in the Middle East. Plus, they are still in the period of 'critical conflicts'," said Mr Sarawut.
Yet, he suggested deepening trade cooperation with the UAE which would greatly benefit Thailand's economy. "The UAE is a potential trading hub for Thai products."
According to the foreign minister, Deputy Prime Minister Prajin Jantong was invited to visit Saudi Arabia next year.
Meanwhile, a larger role for China in the country is unavoidable given Thailand's limited engagement with Washington, said Chaiwat Khamchoo, a Chulalongkorn University political science lecturer.