Summary of Press Briefing
during the 47^th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits

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

On 27 October 2025 at 15:00 hrs.
in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

• Today’s press briefing is about Thailand’s participation in ASEAN meetings and the bilateral discussions with several countries and organizations, which took place on 26 October and in the morning of 27 October 2025.
• The Prime Minister has been actively engaged in meetings and bilateral discussions to advance a number of long-term priorities of Thailand, despite the government’s limited tenure.
• On 26 October 2025, the Prime Minister, together with Prime Minister Hun Manet of Cambodia, signed a Joint Declaration on the outcomes of their meeting in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. It was witnessed by the U.S. President and the Prime Minister of Malaysia. And after the signing, the Foreign Minister already had a press conference on this matter.
• Besides the signing event, the Prime Minister attended the Plenary session of the 47^th ASEAN Summit and held bilateral meetings.

 1. ASEAN meetings

• Thailand will advance our position as “A key strategic player for advancing peace, prosperity and development.”

The 47th ASEAN Summit (Plenary and Retreat)

• On 26 October 2025, the Prime Minister attended the Plenary of the 47th ASEAN Summit.
• ASEAN leaders expressed their condolences over the passing of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit The Queen Mother.
• They also welcomed Timor-Leste to attend the ASEAN Summit as a full member for the first time and discussed directions for strengthening the ASEAN Community in line with the ASEAN Community Vision 2045 and exchanged views on relations with external partners.
• The Prime Minister reaffirmed that ASEAN remains a cornerstone of Thailand's foreign policy and emphasized the need to uphold ASEAN Centrality in promoting constructive engagement with external partners and to build a people-centered community. Thailand supported ASEAN’s response to global geopolitical and geoeconomic uncertainties through fostering inclusive and sustainable economic development, deepening economic integration, accelerating the conclusion of the ASEAN Digital Economy Framework Agreement (DEFA), as well as promoting green and digital transitions, clean energy and sustainable agriculture. The Prime Minister also underscored the urgency to address online scams, transboundary haze, natural disasters and the pandemic, which have increasingly impacted the lives of people in the region.
• Subsequently, the Foreign Minister represented the Prime Minister at the Retreat Session of the 47th ASEAN Summit, where ASEAN leaders exchanged views on the implementation of the Five-Point Consensus to address the situation in Myanmar and regional and international issues, such as the South China Sea. He reaffirmed Thailand's commitment to regionalism and multilateralism, supporting peace-building efforts in Myanmar through the facilitation of inclusive dialogue, and the need to expand channels for the delivery of humanitarian assistance in Myanmar.
• At both meetings, the Prime Minister and the Foreign Minister reiterated Thailand's position to resolve the differences with Cambodia peacefully through bilateral mechanisms. Thailand is committed to the ceasefire arrangement and the Joint Declaration signed by the Prime Ministers of Thailand and Cambodia, which will help pave a way forward to bring peace and prosperity between two countries and peoples.

The 13th ASEAN - U.S. Summit

• On 26 October 2025, the Foreign Minister represented the Prime Minister at the 13th ASEAN - U.S.
• The meeting reaffirmed the long-standing partnership between ASEAN and the U.S. A number of Member States commended the role of President Trump in contributing to peace in various parts of the world, including the situation between Thailand and Cambodia, and the situation in Gaza.
• The meeting also discussed issues of mutual interest and shared priority, including: (1) Combating transnational crime, particularly online scams, as well as human trafficking, drug trafficking, and cybercrime. In this regard, Thailand offered to host an international conference on combating transnational crime and hoped to count on the U.S.’ participation; (2) Supporting digital transformation and advancing the upcoming ASEAN Digital Economy Framework Agreement (DEFA); and (3) Promoting people-to-people exchanges.
• The meeting also adopted the ASEAN - U.S. Leaders’ Joint Vision Statement to Promote Stronger, Safer, and More Prosperous ASEAN and America.

The 28th ASEAN - Japan Summit

• On 26 October 2025, the Foreign Minister also represented the Prime Minister in the 28th ASEAN - Japan Summit.
• The meeting to review and set the future direction of ASEAN - Japan relations, stressing cooperation on digital technology, AI, clean energy and connectivity, as well as the promotion and implementation of the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP).
• The Foreign Minister emphasized enhancing cooperation with Japan as ASEAN’s “trusted partner,” especially on digital transformation, green transition, and strengthening connectivity that is “Smart, Seamless, and Sustainable.” The Foreign Minister also underscored the importance of enhancing humanitarian assistance in Myanmar to create an environment conducive to reconciliation and lasting peace.

The 22nd ASEAN - India Summit

• On 26 October 2025, the Foreign Minister represented the Prime Minister in the 22nd ASEAN - India Summit.
• The meeting reviewed and discussed ways forward for ASEAN - India cooperation under the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP), covering the political security, economic, and socio-cultural fields, as well as connectivity.
• The meeting also called for a substantial conclusion of the ASEAN - India Trade in Goods Agreement (AITIGA) Review in a timely manner and also declared the year 2026 as the ASEAN - India Year of Maritime Cooperation.
• The Foreign Minister recalled the progress in ASEAN - India relations, which are bound by deep ties of history, culture, and a shared vision for peace and prosperity. He highlighted the importance of maritime cooperation and connectivity in all dimensions. The Foreign Minister also underscored cooperation to advance sustainable development in areas such as green transition, renewable energy, sustainable agriculture, and food security. He also expressed his views on the upcoming elections in Myanmar that it is an inclusive process based on dialogue and reconciliation.

The 26th ASEAN - Republic of Korea Summit

• On 27 October 2025, the Prime Minister attended the 26th ASEAN - Republic of Korea (ROK) Summit.
• This ASEAN - ROK Summit marked the first meeting between President Lee Jae-myung of the Republic of Korea and ASEAN Leaders —a key opportunity to set the direction and strengthen cooperation under the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP) established in 2024.
• Prime Minister Anutin delivered ASEAN Common Statement, as Thailand serves this year as the ASEAN - ROK Country Coordinator, highlighting key areas of shared interest and cooperation:

(1) Combating online scams. Thailand expressed readiness to host an international conference on combating online scams to establish networks for intelligence sharing. In this regard, the President of the ROK responded positively to the initiative and expressed readiness to work with ASEAN on this issue;

(2) Expanding economic cooperation. Thailand called for the launch of negotiations to upgrade the ASEAN–Korea Free Trade Agreement (AKFTA) next year and to expedite the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) between Thailand and the Republic of Korea to enhance trade and supply chain resilience; and

(3) Promoting a greener and more sustainable future. As ASEAN Coordinator on Sustainable Development Cooperation, Thailand looks forward to advancing collaboration with the Republic of Korea on the Clean Air for Sustainable ASEAN initiative through knowledge exchange and technology transfer.

• On regional issues, Thailand reaffirmed support for efforts toward lasting peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula, including the Republic of Korea’s E.N.D. Initiative —Exchange, Normalization, and Denuclearization.

The 28th ASEAN Plus Three Summit

• On 27 October 2025, the Prime Minister attended the ASEAN Plus Three (APT) Summit.
• The meeting reviewed and set the direction for cooperation under the ASEAN Plus Three framework, particularly in the areas of financial cooperation, digital transformation, and food security. The participants also exchanged views on regional and international issues, including the South China Sea, the situation in Myanmar, the Korean Peninsula, Ukraine, and the Middle East.
• For Thailand, we proposed a “3 Securities Approach” for our future APT collaboration, namely:

(1) Financial Security – by promoting the development of mechanisms to address current challenges and potential risks, such as upgrading the Chiang Mai Initiative Multilateralization (CMIM);

(2) Digital Security –by enhancing cooperation in digital infrastructure, AI, e-commerce and upskilling and reskilling, alongside the establishment of a secure digital ecosystem; and

(3) Human Security – by promoting regional cooperation in combating online scams, and enhancing food security through strengthening the APT Emergency Rice Reserve (APTERR), as well as diversifying the range of agricultural products to be stockpiled.

The 5th Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership Summit

• On 27 October 2025, the Minister of Commerce attended the 5th Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership Summit.
• This marks the first leaders’ meeting since the Agreement entered into force in 2022. The leaders will provide policy guidance on ways to enhance the implementation of commitments under the RCEP Agreement to reaffirm the collective commitment of RCEP member countries to upholding the multilateral trading system.
• Thailand reaffirms our shared commitment to an open, mutually beneficial and inclusive economic partnership.
• However, we are still underutilizing RCEP. That is why Thailand strongly supports efforts to promote RCEP’s benefits and to expedite the accession of new members. The participation of new economies will boost commercial value, expand our markets, and connect new value chains.
• Thailand also believes that RCEP must maintain its leading edge by expanding value chains and deepening economic integration. At the same time, we need to work closely with stakeholders and the private sector. We need to provide support to MSMEs, which will help them grow, connect to the regional value chain, and truly share the opportunities RCEP creates.

2. Bilateral meetings

The Prime Minister

• On 26 October 2025, the Prime Minister had a meeting with the Secretary-General of the United Nations. Both sides expressed satisfaction with the strong and long-standing relations between Thailand and the UN. The Secretary-General supported Thailand’s role in promoting reconciliation in Myanmar, as well as in resolving Thailand - Cambodia border situation through peaceful means. He also commended Thailand’s role as host of UNESCAP and its proactive efforts in integrating the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into national policies and domestic legislation.
• On 26 October 2025, the Prime Minister had a bilateral meeting with the President of the Philippines. Both sides agreed to further enhance cooperation at the bilateral level and within the ASEAN framework as well as to pursue exchanges of visits at the earliest opportunity. Potential areas of cooperation include the export of Thai rice and agricultural products to the Philippines, investment in the energy sector, tourism, and digital economy. The Prime Minister also conveyed Thailand’s full support to the Philippines as the incoming ASEAN Chair in 2026.
• On 26 October 2025, the Prime Minister had a discussion on the regional economic situation with the Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF). The Managing Director expressed confidence in the resilience of Southeast Asian economies against economic changes, due to their strong and resilient basis, as well as the existence of mechanisms under regional cooperation frameworks capable to address the emerging challenges. She also expressed her appreciation to Thailand for hosting the 2026 Annual Meetings of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank Group.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs

• On 27 October 2025, the Foreign Minister had a bilateral discussion with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Viet Nam. Both sides agreed to (1) Finalize an action plan to translate the Thailand - Viet Nam Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP) into concrete outcomes; (2) Coordinate policy and positions within regional and subregional forums, particularly as Thailand will host the Mekong - Lancang Cooperation (MLC) Summit in December 2025, recognizing the value of serving as key players in subregional platforms to contribute to broader regional frameworks such as ASEAN and APEC; and (3) Promote bilateral trade and investment, noting that Thailand is Viet Nam’s second-largest investor within ASEAN after Singapore and among its top trading partners.
• Both sides also exchanged views on regional developments, affirming that ASEAN must play an active role in the Myanmar issue. On the Thailand - Cambodia border situation, Viet Nam welcomed that both countries have reached an agreement toward a lasting peace.

Watch the full session at: https://youtu.be/Iq3VOVl1rLc