Summary of Weekly Press Briefing

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

On 3 July 2025 at 14.00 hrs.

MFA Press Conference Room and MFA FB LIVE / TikTok LIVE

1. 58th ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting and Related Meetings (AMM/PMC) by Mr. Bolbongse Vangphaen, Director-General of the Department of ASEAN Affairs

• H.E. Mr. Maris Sangiampongsa, Minister of Foreign Affairs, is scheduled to attend the 58^th ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting and Related Meetings on 8 - 11 July 2025 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Foreign Ministers and representatives from 30 countries and organisations are expected to participate in this important annual gathering.
  
  
• ASEAN Foreign Ministers will discuss progress of ASEAN cooperation under the theme of Malaysia’s chairmanship, “Inclusivity and Sustainability,” and to prepare for the 47^th ASEAN Summit in October 2025 in Kuala Lumpur.
  
  
• This is an opportunity for Thailand to exchange views on key regional and international developments with 11 ASEAN’s Dialogue Partners—namely Australia, Canada, China, the EU, India, Japan, the Republic of Korea, New Zealand, Russia, the United Kingdom and the U.S.—and with external partners through various frameworks, such as ASEAN Plus Three (APT), East Asia Summit (EAS), and ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF), through a total of 17 meetings. Also, as the Country Coordinator for ASEAN-ROK Dialogue Relations for 2024-2027, the Foreign Minister will co-chair the ASEAN Post Ministerial Conference with the Republic of Korea.
  
  
• The Foreign Minister will strengthen cooperation to address non-traditional security challenges—including human security threats, transboundary haze pollution and online scams—and promote economic security and the digital economy. The Minister will also advance efforts to respond to an increasingly volatile global landscape and to maintain peace and stability in the region, in line with the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP).
  
  
• The Foreign Minister will also use this opportunity to hold bilateral meetings with key partners from a selection of Foreign Ministers and representatives from 30 countries and international organisations, including China, the U.S., Russia, and the EU. This provides a crucial opportunity for bilateral engagements to promote cooperation in economy, security, trade, investment, public health, and sustainable development.
  
  
• Key priorities: Thailand will advance six priorities including (1) ASEAN’s centrality and unity; (2) Economic security; (3) Digital cooperation; (4) Sustainable development, underscoring Thailand’s role as ASEAN Coordinator for Sustainable Development Cooperation; (5) Human security, especially in addressing transboundary security threats (online scam, cybercrime, drug trafficking, haze pollution); and (6) Myanmar, by highlighting ASEAN’s leading role in the recovery phase after the earthquake and supporting inclusive dialogue among stakeholders.

• Deliverables:
  • Promoting Thailand’s leading role in ASEAN as the AMM/PMC meetings are a platform to showcase Thailand’s proactive and constructive engagement, especially as the ASEAN–ROK Country Coordinator, and reaffirm readiness to drive tangible cooperation;
    
    
  • Advancing Thailand’s economic and trade interests as Thailand aims to enhance economic security by promoting the effective utilisation of FTAs, benefiting Thai entrepreneurs and the national economy;
    
    
  • Expanding cooperation in the digital economy as Thailand seeks to create greater opportunities for Thai businesses and the private sector to connect with regional and global markets; Thailand chairs negotiations on ASEAN Digital Economy Framework Agreement (DEFA)
    
    
  • Enhancing security and address emerging threats as Thailand will work to tackle transnational crimes, drug trafficking, haze pollution, and cybercrime, which are shared challenges for ASEAN and external partners;
    
    
  • Promoting sustainable development as the ASEAN Coordinator for Sustainable Development Cooperation, Thailand will reinforce its leading role in environment and sustainability, potentially opening access to international funding and cooperation projects; and
    
    
  • Reinforcing Thailand’s and ASEAN’s role in addressing the situation in Myanmar

Situation Updates

2.1 Developments on the Israel - Iran situation

• At present, tensions in the region have gradually been easing. 
  
  
• Since the beginning of this latest round of tensions, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs quickly activated the Rapid Response Center (RRC) to coordinate with relevant agencies and our embassies in the region, in order to monitor the situation and provide assistance to Thai nationals, particularly in Iran and Israel.
  
  
• In Iran, 35 Thais who stayed at the temporary shelter in Amol have now safely returned to Tehran, and the Embassy continues to remain prepared to assist Thais by arranging a temporary shelter should there be any further need to do so.
  
  
• Our temporary shelter center in Van, Turkey, has also assisted 59 Thai nationals back to Thailand, and the center will continue to operate for the time being as we continue to closely monitor the situation and coordinate further assistance for Thai nationals wishing to leave Iran in the future.
  
  
• As far as Israel is concerned, the Minister of Foreign Affairs held a telephone conversation with the Deputy Prime Minister and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Jordan, to facilitate border crossings for Thai nationals from Israel, which helped to expedite the border crossing for Thais. Thus far, the Embassy in Tel Aviv has assisted 31 individuals returning to Thailand via Jordan, and 8 more people are scheduled to depart this weekend.
  
  
• Although the situation is showing positive developments, the Ministry will continue to monitor it closely. Thai nationals are advised to exercise caution when traveling to the region, and those residing in Israel and Iran should stay closely updated with information issued by our Embassies.

2.2 Developments on the Thailand-Cambodia border situation

• The Ad Hoc Center for the Thailand-Cambodia Border Situation is now the central coordinating body of the government that is monitoring and managing the border situation. Please follow updates from the Ad Hoc Center, which has adjusted its press conferences from daily to every Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
  
  
• First and foremost, Thai Government does not wish for current tensions between the two governments to adversely affect Thais and also the local communities on both sides of the border. We take this commitment seriously and therefore, our border control measures are carefully considered before implementation. We take into account public safety, and the well-being and best interests of the people on both sides of the border.   
    
• The Thai side has not closed any border crossing points. 
  
  
• Instead, Thailand has tightened border control measures which apply equally to nationals of both countries and other foreigners, which can be and will be adjusted as necessary in response to the security situation in the area. While these measures are in place, exemptions are being made and continue to be made on humanitarian grounds.
  
  
• Furthermore, these heightened border control measures are part of our efforts to prevent and combat transnational crime, particularly online scamming, which have become a shared regional challenge, causing significant harm and loss not only to the Thai and Cambodian people, but also to citizens within this region and beyond. 
  
  
• Thailand is resolute in tackling this problem. We will also seek the cooperation of all countries, including Cambodia, in jointly eradicating these criminal networks. 
  
  
• Thailand reaffirms that the Thai Government only uses official channels to communicate with the Cambodian Government. 
  
  
• The Thai side views that recent comments made by senior government officials of Cambodia on social media amount to interference in Thailand’s internal affairs. These comments are inappropriate and violate international norms and practices. Furthermore, they seriously undermine Thailand-Cambodia relations. 
  
  
• In this regard, the Thai Government urges the Cambodian side to refrain from such actions and to return to a dialogue with Thailand with sincerity and in good faith.
  
  
• Thailand remains committed to resolving border issues peacefully through bilateral mechanisms, with sincerity and in good faith. We will act in accordance with international law, based on the principles of good neighborliness and in the spirit of ASEAN unity. We call on the Cambodian side to return to dialogue in the many bilateral mechanisms that currently exist.
  
  
• Regarding Cambodia’s intervention in the OIF, Thailand wishes to clarify that its longstanding position of not accepting the compulsory jurisdiction of the ICJ is consistent with the sovereign rights of States under international law, and is shared by a large number of countries.
  
  
• Far from standing apart, Thailand plays an active and constructive role in the development, implementation, and promotion of international law across a wide range of global and regional fora. We believe that the true measure of respect for international law lies in consistent and responsible practice—not only in rhetoric, but in action.
  
  
• Thailand continues to view that border tensions should be resolved inthe numerous bilateral mechanisms that exist, in accordance with the MOU 2543 that both sides have signed and have a legal obligation to adhere to.

Watch the full session at: https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1UnYQdwamS/

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