Summary of the Weekly Press Briefing
By the Deputy Director-General of the Department of Information and MFA Deputy Spokesperson
on 10 July 2026 at 14:30 hrs.
MFA Press Conference Room

1. Outcomes of the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister’s visit to the State of Hawaii, the United States

• From 5 - 7 July 2026, H.E. Mr. Sihasak Phuangketkeow, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, paid an official visit to Hawaii, United States of America, to further advance the Thailand - U.S. alliance and strategic partnership. The visit marked the first ministerial-level visit to Hawaii by a Thai Foreign Minister in 15 years, where the Deputy Prime Minister also participated in a number of meetings and activities, namely:
• (1) The Deputy Prime Minister paid a visit to the U.S. Pacific Command (USPACOM) at Camp H.M. Smith and met with Admiral Samuel J. Paparo, Commander of USPACOM. In that meeting, the Commander underscored that the visit was meaningful for the longstanding Thailand - U.S. alliance and for reaffirming the commitment of both countries to strengthen cooperation, including addressing emerging challenges such as cyber and cognitive warfare. The Deputy Prime Minister underscored the importance of elevating the Thailand - U.S. alliance, which plays an important role in anchoring and promoting regional peace and security, particularly amid the rapidly evolving international security landscape.
• Both sides also exchanged views on regional and global security developments and discussed ways to enhance defence and security cooperation, especially in capacity building, modernization, defence industrial base cooperation, and combating emerging security threats, particularly online scams.
• (2) The Deputy Prime Minister met with Ms. Celeste Connors, President of the East-West Center, to promote academic cooperation and further strengthen Thailand - U.S. relations in line with the current global landscape. Both sides discussed key areas of cooperation, including (1) combating online scams, (2) capacity building in cybersecurity, and (3) fostering the network of a new generation of leaders, as well as exploring a Track 1.5 seminar to provide policy recommendations for the governments of both countries.
• (3) The Deputy Prime Minister visited the Royal Sala Thai, which was dedicated to the East-West Center by His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej The Great in 1967 as a symbol of friendship between the East and the West.
• (4) The Deputy Prime Minister paid a visit to Pearl Harbor-Hickam Joint Base, where he was welcomed by the USPACOM Commander, and laid a wreath at the USS Arizona Memorial to honor those who lost their lives at Pearl Harbor on 7 December 1941. He also visited the U.S. Pacific Fleet and international fleets as well as international fleets participating in the Rim of the Pacific biennial exercise (RIMPAC), the largest multilateral maritime exercise in the world, currently taking place from 24 June - 31 July 2026.
  
  

2. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs joins Prime Minister’s Official Visit to Malaysia

• On 9 July 2026, the Deputy Prime Minister joined H.E. Mr. Anutin Charnvirakul, Prime Minister, on the latter’s official visit to Malaysia, and participated in the bilateral meeting between the Prime Minister and Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim, Prime Minister of Malaysia, in Putrajaya.
• Both Prime Ministers confirmed their commitment to increasing cooperation in areas that are beneficial to the people of both countries, especially security matters and development of the Southern Border Provinces of Thailand and Northern States of Malaysia through enhanced transportation connectivity, trade, and economic development of the border areas. Both sides would also increase cooperation to ensure border security management and combat transnational crime.
• There was also a plenary meeting, where the Prime Ministers, Deputy Prime Ministers, and Ministers from various ministries from both countries attended. Both sides welcomed the close, dynamic relations between the two countries and the success and effectiveness of the various bilateral mechanisms that drive these relations, for which Thailand and Malaysia will celebrate the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations next year. The two sides also agreed to advance cooperation across all dimensions, including trade, investment, food security, agricultural products, tourism, the digital economy, and energy security, given that Malaysia is currently Thailand’s top trading partner in ASEAN, its top source of tourists, and has a fast-growing digital economy. Both sides also exchanged views on regional and global developments and on cooperation within ASEAN.
• Thailand and Malaysia highlighted a joint vision to promote security and seamless border connectivity through the development and facilitation of cross-border travel and the transport of goods, especially via roads and railroads, and to improve the well-being of the people of both countries, including through promoting two-way tourism. Both leaders also witnessed an exchange of the Memorandum of Understanding on Agricultural Cooperation.
• In addition, on 10 July 2026 (toda), the Deputy Prime Minister attended the Asian Development Bank (ADB)’s grant acceptance ceremony to support relief and recovery efforts following the previous severe flooding in Songkhla province. He also participated in the official opening of the new Customs, Immigration, and Quarantine (CIQ) Checkpoint at Sadao - Bukit Kayu Hitam road alignment, which was co-presided by the two Prime Ministers.
• This road alignment symbolizes the close and cordial relations between Thailand and Malaysia, and a shared vision for seamless multimodal border connectivity, facilitating cross-border travel and transport, and reducing the heavy congestion of the busiest Thailand - Malaysia checkpoint with the highest quantity and value of border trade. Both sides also attach importance to checkpoints between Satun province and Pelis, and Narathiwat province and Kelantan, and look to realize the full potential of border area development between the south of Thailand and the north of Malaysia.

3. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister to attend the Informal Meeting of the ASEAN Foreign Ministers and the Foreign Minister of Myanmar, and the Extended Informal Consultation on Myanmar in Bangkok

• With reference to the Press Release issued by the Department of Foreign Affairs of the Philippines in the morning of 10 July 2026 (today), the Deputy Prime Minister will participate in the Informal Meeting of ASEAN Foreign Ministers with the Foreign Minister of Myanmar and the Extended Informal Consultation on Myanmar, which Thailand will host and H.E. Ms. Maria Theresa P. Lazaro, Secretary of Foreign Affairs of the Philippines and ASEAN Chair, will preside over in Bangkok on 12 July 2026. The meetings will be attended by the Foreign Ministers or senior representatives of ASEAN Member States, as well as the Foreign Minister of Myanmar.
• The meetings aim to provide an opportunity for ASEAN Foreign Ministers and Myanmar to exchange views candidly and foster a common understanding of the situation in Myanmar. They will also discuss ways to advance ASEAN's collective efforts to implement the Five-Point Consensus in a concrete and effective manner, with a view to supporting peace and stability in Myanmar.
• These meetings also represent an important step toward the gradual and principled re-engagement with Myanmar in order to encourage positive and concrete developments in the country. They are informal consultations in nature and do not alter ASEAN's established position or decisions regarding the situation in Myanmar.

4. Developments on the Thailand - Cambodia Situation

4.1 Allegations Concerning an Explosion on Cambodian Territory

• With reference to Cambodia’s allegation that Thai soldiers threw a hand grenade into a Cambodian position on 5 July 2026, which was accompanied by the dissemination of images on social media revealing the injuries of the Cambodian soldiers, the Royal Thai Army and the Joint Information Center on the Thailand - Cambodia Situation (JIC) and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs have already issued statements to clarify details surrounding the incident.
• Following a factual verification, it was found that the explosion occurred on Cambodian territory and was not caused by Thai forces, as alleged. It is also assessed that the incident most likely resulted from newly deployed Cambodian troops who may have been unfamiliar with the terrain, lacked operational experience, and who may have accidentally stepped on a landmine in the area.
• Thailand reaffirms that all actions conducted by the Thai forces are carried out in strict adherence to operational orders, the rules of engagement and the Joint Statement signed by both sides on 27 December Thailand remains firmly committed to the principles of restraint, transparency and accountability.
• Thailand calls upon the Cambodian side to refrain from making unsubstantiated allegations which reflect a lack of judgement, good faith and sincerity, and also distort the facts, create misunderstanding and can seriously undermine the peaceful resolution of conflict.

4.2 Allegations Concerning Land Encroachment on Cambodian Territory

• Thailand calls upon the Cambodian side to refrain from making unsubstantiated allegations which reflect a lack of judgement, good faith and sincerity, and also distort the facts, create misunderstanding and can seriously undermine the peaceful resolution of conflict.
• Thailand reaffirms its strict adherence to the Joint Statement of 27 December 2025, in particular Point 2 in which both sides agreed to maintain current troop deployments without further movement or patrol towards the other side’s position.
• All activities undertaken by Thailand are aimed at safeguarding the security and safety of the people and remain well within the framework of the Joint Statement. Thailand therefore categorically rejects Cambodia’s repeated allegations made in various fora regarding this issue.
• Thailand remains committed to peace and stands ready to resolve all outstanding issues through dialogue under the existing bilateral mechanisms. Such dialogue should be conducted on the basis of facts, sincerity and good faith, mutual respect and adherence to agreements from both sides, with a view to de-escalating tensions and restoring mutual trust between the two countries.
• On the other hand, Cambodia’s conduct has been inconsistent. While Cambodia claims to be committed to resolving the conflict with Thailand, the Cambodian side has continued to disseminate distorted information against Thailand to the international community. Such actions undermine Cambodia’s own stated efforts to restore relations with Thailand and raise questions regarding its true intentions.

4.3 Update on the Compulsory Conciliation Process

• Thailand formally submitted a response to Cambodia’s notification of conciliation on the maritime boundary dispute under UNCLOS on 19 June 2026. Currently, the four conciliators appointed by the two parties are in the process of selecting a fifth conciliator to serve as Chair of the Conciliation Commission.
• The Chair should be a widely recognized expert of acknowledged competence and impartiality, possessing deep expertise in diplomacy, international law, and the law of the sea. He/She should also have a comprehensive understanding of the Thailand - Cambodia bilateral relationship in order to help identify balanced and mutually acceptable solutions for both countries.
• Thailand has decided to participate in the conciliation process as a State Party committed to international law and the rules-based international order. The Thai negotiating team, comprising representatives from the relevant government agencies, will carry out its duties with the utmost professionalism while placing top priority on safeguarding national interests.
• The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will provide the public with periodic updates on the progress of this matter going forward.

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