Summary of the Weekly Press Briefing

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

on 17 August 2026 at 15:00 hrs.

MFA Press Conference Room

1. Outcomes of the Visit to the Russian Federation by the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs

        1.1 Overview

• H.E. Mr. Sihasak Phuangketkeow, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, visited Moscow, Russia during 12-15 August 2026.
• The visit built upon the bilateral discussion at the leaders’ level between the Prime Minister and the President of Russia in June 2026.
• The main purpose of the visit was to further promote ecomonic cooperation between Thailand and Russia, especially to expand trade and investment in line with Thailand’s economic diplomacy in generating more economic opportunities and enhancing national competitiveness.
• Joining this visit was a business delegation led by the Thai Chamber of Commerce/ Board of Trade, the Federation of Thai Industries, and the Thai-Russian Business Council.

        1.2 Programs

• The main objective of the visit was the convening of the 9^th Session of the Thailand–Russia Joint Commission on Bilateral Cooperation (JC), co-chaired by the Deputy Prime Minister and H.E. Mr. Aleksey Chekunkov, Minister of the Russian Federation for the Development of the Far East and the Arctic on 14 August
• On 13 August 2026, the Deputy Prime Minister had bilateral meetings with
  (1) H.E. Mr. Alexander Novak, Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation and
  (2) H.E. Mr. Bakytzhan Sagintayev, Chairman of the Board of the Eurasian Economic Commission.
  The Deputy Prime Minister also attended a working luncheon with the Russian private sectors hosted by Mr. Ivan Demchenko, Chairman of the Russian - Thai Business Council (RTBC).
• On 14 August 2026, the Deputy Prime Minister had a bilateral meeting with H.E. Mr. Sergey Lavrov, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation.

       1.3 Key issues

• The main emphasis was placed on enhancing economic cooperation, particularly on promoting more trade and investment. Last year, bilateral trade between Thailand and Russia totalled around USD 1.7 billion, showing potential for further expansion.
• The Thai side in particular advocated for expediting the process to commence negotiations on an FTA between Thailand and the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) as well as addressing trade impediments and expanding market access for Thai products, including agricultural and food products.
• Also discussed were trade facilitation and investment promotion, including the upcoming Russia–Thailand Investment Forum, to be held in Bangkok in October 2026, as well as opportunities for potential cooperation in key areas, such as E-commerce, energy security, including green energy, food security, transportation connectivity, and tourism.
• During the meeting between the Deputy Prime Minister with Foreign Minister Lavrov, both sides discussed ways to further enhance the bilateral relations, as Thailand and Russia will celebrate the 130^th anniversary of diplomatic relations in 2027. Both sides also exchanged views on key regional developments and cooperation, particularly ASEAN-Russia cooperation.
• Both Ministers also signed the 6th Plan of Consultations between the two Ministries of Foreign Affairs, which comprises discussions to promote cooperation at various levels and in a number of areas of mutual interest.
• In addition to the official program, the Thai business delegation also had a productive briefing session with the Russian-Thai Business Council and the Thai private sector in Russia.
• As mentioned earlier, the visit is part of driving forward Thailand’s economic diplomacy in generating more economic opportunities for the country and our private sector.

2. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs to join the Official Visit to Australia and New Zealand of the Prime MInister

• On 17 August 2026, the Deputy Prime Minister is joining the Official Visit of the Prime Minister to Australia and New Zealand on 17 - 22 August 2026, at the invitations of the Australian Prime Minister and the New Zealand Prime Minister.
• During the visit to Australia, the Prime Minister is scheduled to pay courtesy calls on the Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia and the Governor of New South Wales, and to meet with the Prime Minister of Australia. The Prime Minister will also engage with Thai and Australian business leaders, to promote greater trade and investment, strengthen economic connectivity, and identify new opportunities for cooperation under the Thailand - Australia Strategic Partnership, celebrating the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations in 2027. In addition, the Prime Minister will sign the Joint Statements on Transnational Crime and on Deepening Economic Engagement, as well as visit the Thai town and meet with members of the Thai community in Sydney.
• For the visit to New Zealand, the Prime Minister will meet with the Prime Minister of New Zealand and engage with Thai and New Zealand business leaders to promote bilateral trade and investment and further strengthen economic cooperation. In addition, the two Prime Ministers will sign the Joint Declaration on the Strategic Partnership between Thailand and New Zealand, formally elevating the bilateral relations to a Strategic Partnership on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations this year. The two leaders will also witness the signing of cooperation documents to strengthen economic and social security and enhance the capacity of Thai personnel, particularly in the areas of education and cultural cooperation.
• This visit marks Prime Minister Anutin’s first official visit to Australia and New Zealand after assuming his office, and is the first official visit by a Thai Prime Minister to Australia in 14 years. This is also the first visit by a Thai Prime Minister to New Zealand in 13 years.

3. Update on the Conciliation Proceedings under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS)

• On 14 August 2026, the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) which serves as the Secretariat for the Conciliation Commission issued a Press Release on the appointment of Ambassador Katrina Cooper, an Australian national, as the fifth conciliator who will serve as Chairperson of the Conciliation Commission.
• Ambassador Cooper is a former diplomat and well-regarded international lawyer with extensive knowledge, expertise and experience in international law, diplomacy and negotiation. She is also familiar with the region from her previous work and was among the individuals supported by Thailand during the consultation process, which involved all parties concerned. 
• Very importantly, she previously served as the Co-Agent of the Australian Government in the conciliation proceedings between Australia and Timor-Leste - the first ever such conciliation proceedings under UNCLOS.
• In this regard, Ambassador Cooper’s extensive experience in diplomacy will greatly contribute to an understanding of the broader context and related issues surrounding the Thai-Cambodian situation.
• The Conciliation Commission has now been officially constituted and the Agent, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sihasak Phuangketkeow, and Deputy Agent, Ambassador Songchai Chaipatiyut, have already been appointed. 
• The next step is for the Commission to determine the date and venue for its first meeting. It is initially expected that the meeting could possibly be held within September, although further details are still pending. 
• Key agenda items for the first meeting will include a consideration of the Rules of Procedure for the Commission’s work as guidance for subsequent meetings and related proceedings.
• It is important to reiterate that the conciliation process is not a court proceeding. Its outcome is not a judgment nor legally binding, but rather recommendations for both sides to consider.
• All five conciliators are experts who are expected to carry out their duties impartially and to facilitate the process. Their expertise and understanding of the context is expected to help develop balanced recommendations. Along the process, both sides will present their views and clarify the relevant facts, and consider whether and to what extent the Commission’s recommendations can serve as a basis for further discussions. 
• Thailand stands ready to support and engage in the proceedings on the basis of international law, with the aim of contributing to a sustainable resolution for both countries. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and all relevant agencies remain strongly committed to carrying out their duties to the best of their abilities to safeguard Thailand’s national interests. The Ministry will continue to keep the public informed of any developments on this matter on a regular basis.

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