Summary of the Press Briefing on the briefing for the diplomatic corps

on the outcomes of the 48th ASEAN Summit and Related Meetings 

by the Deputy Director-General of the Department of Information and MFA Deputy Spokesperson

on 11 May 2026 at 16:15 hrs.

MFA Press Conference Room and MFA FB LIVE / TikTok LIVE

1. Summary of the Press Briefing on the briefing for the diplomatic corps on the outcomes of the 48th ASEAN Summit and Related Meetings

1.1 Outcomes of the 48th ASEAN Summit and Related Meetings 

• H.E. Mrs. Eksiri Pintaruchi, Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs, briefed the diplomatic corps and representatives of international organizations on the outcomes of Thailand’s participation at the 48^th ASEAN Summit and related meetings, held on 7–8 May 2026 in Cebu, the Philippines. The briefing also touched upon the Trilateral Meeting between Thailand, the Philippines and Cambodia, held on the sidelines of the Summit. In attendance were ambassadors and representatives from 62 countries, 1 organization (EU), and 3 international organizations, totaling 73 participants.
  
  
• The Summit focused on one overriding issue, which is the implications of the Middle East crisis on ASEAN and our collective response, in line with the Chairship’s theme of “Navigating Our Future, Together.”
  
  
• Leaders underscored that ASEAN is operating in an increasingly complex and volatile geopolitical environment, marked by intensifying major power competition, ongoing conflicts including in the Middle East, and growing pressures on the rules-based international order.
  
  
• In response, all Leaders emphasized the imperative of preserving ASEAN unity and centrality, upholding international law, and deepening regional integration to strengthen resilience and navigate emerging uncertainties.
  
  
• The Summit adopted the ASEAN Leaders’ Statement on the Response to the Middle East Crisis, which outlines both immediate and longer-term measures in the areas of economic integration, energy security, and food security.
  
  
• In this connection, Prime Minister Anutin emphasized: (1) the importance of strengthening ASEAN connectivity and supply chain resilience; (2) Thailand’s readiness to make available our surplus jet fuel capacity to fellow ASEAN Member States; and (3) Thailand’s willingness to contribute to the consolidation of ASEAN’s effort on food security.
  
  
• In addition, the Prime Minister also proposed three strategic imperatives, or “3Rs”, to guide ASEAN’s future direction in response to the evolving geopolitical and geoeconomic landscape, namely: (1) Regionalism – ASEAN must place greater emphasis on the shared interests of the region and that ASEAN remains at the core of Member States’ foreign policy; (2) Resilience – strengthen ASEAN’s mechanisms to better withstand geopolitical uncertainties and external shocks including the ability to manage tensions effectively, and; (3) Relevance – ASEAN must preserve its important role both within and beyond the region by maintaining its position as a credible and trusted partner of the international community.

• The Prime Minister further underscored the importance of enhancing regional energy cooperation, including the promotion of clean energy, advancing the ASEAN Power Grid, as well as strengthening cooperation to address other impacts arising from the situation in the Middle East on the people of ASEAN, including food security while equal importance was also attached to safeguarding freedom of the navigation, which remains an issue of ongoing concern.

1.2 On Myanmar

• ASEAN leaders had a candid and substantive discussion. There appeared to be an emerging common view that ASEAN may need to rethink how we implement the Five-Point Consensus, since despite more than five years of efforts, meaningful progress on the ground has yet to be achieved.
  
  
• Therefore, ASEAN may need to review and adjust its approach in order to move forward. This is very much in line with Thailand’s proposal on calibrated re-engagement with Myanmar.
  
  
• In this regard, the ASEAN Foreign Ministers have been tasked to discuss this matter and submit recommendations for Leader’s consideration.

1.3 Trilateral Meeting between Thailand, the Philippines and Cambodia

• The Trilateral Meeting between Thailand, the Philippines and Cambodia took place on 7 May 2026, one day prior to the ASEAN Summit. Thailand expresses its appreciation to the Philippines, in its capacity as ASEAN Chair, for its initiative in convening this meeting, which was the first meeting between the Prime Ministers of Thailand and Cambodia since the ceasefire last December.
  
  
• The discussions and exchange of views were conducted in a candid manner. Both sides reaffirmed commitment to further sustain and consolidate the current ceasefire in line with the Joint Statement, and agreed to develop confidence-building measures, with a view to rebuilding trust and confidence and gradually restoring bilateral relations, on the basis of good neighborly relations.
  
  
• These include (1) Further de-escalate the situation through existing bilateral mechanisms such as GBC, RBC and JBC; (2) Avoid provocative statements, especially in international fora; (3) Enhance people-to-people relations, particularly through Track II engagement such as the Friendship Associations; (3) Increase joint efforts in combating online scams, and; (4) Coordinate on the return of Deputy Chiefs of Mission (DCMs) to respective embassies.
  
  
• In this regard, the two leaders agreed to task their Foreign Ministers to meet regularly to follow up and identify additional practical confidence-building measures.
  
  
• On maritime boundary, Prime Minister Anutin informed the Cambodian side of Thailand’s decision to terminate the MOU2001 due to lack of progress over the past 20 years, and proposed that the two countries resume discussions on the basis of UNCLOS, to which both are now Parties.
  
  
• On land boundary, the Thai side informed the Cambodian side of Thailand’s ongoing internal procedures to appoint a new JBC team. Meanwhile, the secretariats of both sides may undertake technical preparations for the next JBC meeting when the conditions are conducive.
  
  
• This meeting marks another important step for Thailand and Cambodia to jointly formulate measures to strengthen mutual trust and confidence. The Ministers of Foreign Affairs of both sides will follow up on these matters with a view to achieving concrete outcomes.

1.4 Bilateral meetings with leaders from ASEAN countries

• On the sidelines of the Summit, Prime Minister Anutin had bilateral meetings with leaders from four ASEAN countries, namely Viet Nam, Malaysia, Singapore and the Philippines.
  
  
• During the discussions, both sides reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthening bilateral relations and enhancing cooperation in various areas, including high-level exchange of visits, the promotion of trade and investment, food and energy security, and the suppression of online scams.
  
  
• In addition, the two sides also exchanged views on regional and global developments, including the situation in Myanmar and that of the Middle East which has had an impact on global energy security as a whole.

Watch the full session at: https://fb.watch/H1oqi2yc0n/?