Two nations, friends for decades only to find relationship strained when a questionable business deal went wrong. Since, it has been a rather calm surface but extremely troubled underneath.

So, when even ASEAN cup football final comes around tonight, it will yet again be Singapore Vs Thailand. Who will win this battle this time? Singapore closely nudge Malaysia out with a penalty kick out and Thailand failed to impress in the second leg of its semi final clash with Vietnam. With Thailand crying out its list of injured players, it seems Singapore has an upper hand going into the finals.

But what about other fronts? It seems that with Thaksin being received, even though “unofficially” by the Deputy Prime Minister of Singapore, the domino effect has been felt. There had been many cancellation of official events between the two countries. Thailand has since announced a slew of foreign investment rulings, perhaps as a result of Singapore’s investment rather than just the appreciation of Thai Baht.

Singapore arms forces who use to have military training in Southern Thailand, may have that previledge revoked. A feuding relationship will bring no benefit to either party as they each rely heavily on one another in trade. The relationship is almost inked in blood.

Singapore is someway is caught in a compromising situation. On one hand it holds some favours and hope that Thaksin may be a good ally to have. Yet on the other hand, the military junta has to be placated in order for them to have good business dealings. So it is hard to choose one over the other.

A good example would have to be Taiwan-China relationship. When PM Lee first stepped up to be PM, he had to rush to Taiwan on a yet “unofficial” visit to “settle” some matters. This in fact has been remembered by China as no other Asian nation had given Taiwan such previledge.

Singapore may be rather succesful in its economic front with burgeoning economic growth year on year, but it lacks the foreign policy success to remain as a succesful nation in the world.