Summary of the Weekly Press Briefing

By the Director-General of the Department of Information
and MFA Spokesperson

on 17 July 2026 at 14:00 hrs.

MFA Press Conference Room

1. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister’s participation in the Prime Minister’s Official Visit to China

• On 16 July 2026, H.E. Mr. Sihasak Phuangketkeow, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, accompanied H.E. Mr. Anutin Charnvirakul, Prime Minister, on his official visit to the People’s Republic of China at the invitation of H.E. Mr. Li Qiang, Premier of the State Council of the People’s Republic of China. This visit is scheduled to take place from 16 - 20 July 2026.
• The visit is aimed to further strengthen the Thailand - China Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership for mutual benefit, including through promoting economic cooperation - particularly in emerging fields such as science, technology, innovation, artificial intelligence, and industries of the future - alongside strengthening security cooperation.
• This official visit will include a visit to three major Chinese cities: Beijing, Shanghai and Chengdu.
• On 17 July 2026, the Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister attended the opening ceremony of the World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC) 2026, hosted by China under the theme “AI Partnership for a Brighter Future.”
• The visit’s program will also include (1) a courtesy call on H.E. Mr. Xi Jinping, President of the People's Republic of China, (2) a full bilateral meeting with H.E. Mr. Li Qiang, Premier of the State Council of the People's Republic of China, and (3) a meeting with H.E. Mr. Zhao Leji, Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress.
• MFA will share the outcomes of this important visit at the later stage.

2. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister to attend the 59th ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting and Related Meetings in Manila

• Deputy Prime Minister is scheduled to travel to Manila, Republic of the Philippines on 20 - 25 July 2026, to attend the 59^th ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, Related Meetings, and activities to commemorate the 50^th anniversary of the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC), which includes the Conference of the High Contracting Parties to the TAC.
• The meetings are expected to be attended by Foreign Ministers and/or representatives from 69 countries and organizations.
• At this time, the Deputy Prime Minister himself is scheduled to attend 17 ministerial meetings where he will participate in discussions with ASEAN Foreign Ministers and his counterparts from ASEAN’s Dialogue Partners on ways to strengthen regional security and stability and promote cooperation, including in addressing challenges from both within and beyond the region. He is also expected to exchange views on key regional and international developments with our key partners.
• The Deputy Prime Minister will also co-chair the ASEAN Post Ministerial Conference with the Republic of Korea, in his capacity as the Country Coordinator for ASEAN - ROK Dialogue Relations for 2024 - 2027. He will also moderate the session of the Conference of the High Contracting Parties to the TAC under the topic “Advancing Cooperation in Addressing Emerging Threats and Challenges” alongside the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Chile.
• The AMM/PMC meetings this time around will be a further opportunity for Deputy Prime Minister to advance ASEAN Centrality through the 3Rs approach of promoting Regionalism, Resilience and Relevance, as presented by the Prime Minister at the 48th ASEAN Summit in Cebu earlier in May. 
• In doing so, the Deputy Prime Minister will drive forward cooperation on issues that are key to Thailand in promoting security and stability in the region, including (1) addressing challenges such as online scams; (2) promoting food and energy security; (3) the situation in Myanmar, through advancing calibrated re-engagement leading to the concrete implementation of ASEAN’s Five Consensus Points (5PC) – the Deputy Prime Minister already had a press conference on this issue in more detail just recently last Sunday and just two days ago – and will take this opportunity to exchange views with his counterparts on key regional and international developments.

3. Developments on the Thailand - Cambodia Situation

Developments in the UNCLOS Compulsory Conciliation proceedings

• After the appointment of two conciliators each, by Thailand and Cambodia, the four conciliators now continue with the process of selecting a fifth conciliator, who will serve as Chair of the Conciliation Commission.
• As such, it was necessary for both Thailand and Cambodia to agree to the four conciliators’ proposal to extend the deadline for the selection of the Chair, from 19 July 2026 to 14 August 2026 to allow more time for the selection of the most appropriate conciliator.
• Once again, the Chair should possess recognized expertise in international law with strong diplomatic experience. He/She should be impartial, and should have a good understanding of the Thailand-Cambodia situation. As the Chair has the principal responsibility of steering the two parties toward a sustainable and mutually acceptable solution. 
• Following the institution of the Conciliation Commission with its fifth and final member, the Chair, the Commission will convene the first meeting to discuss the overall framework of the process, including its Rules of Procedure (RoP).
• Once again, conciliation is a form of consultation within a bilateral framework, with the participation of impartial experts who help facilitate discussions and propose possible solutions. It is ultimately up to the parties concerned to reach an agreement based on the recommendations put forward during the conciliation process. 
• The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the relevant Thai agencies will continue to perform our duty to the best of our ability with utmost professionalism and transparency, in accordance with Thai domestic law, international principles, and international law, while placing the highest priority on safeguarding Thailand's sovereignty, territorial integrity and national interests.

Watch the full session at: https://www.facebook.com/share/v/19fSe2ByUc/