CEBU, Philippines – Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet met for trilateral talks on Thursday to address bilateral issues and maintain regional stability.
The meeting, facilitated by Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. as ASEAN Chair ahead of the 48th summit, aimed to provide a platform for both nations to move past recent conflicts.
Following the 80-minute session, Anutin described the dialogue as “constructive, straightforward, and meaningful,” noting it was a key opportunity to reaffirm a mutual commitment to peace. Conflict brings loss and suffering to all sides. It is time for both countries to look forward with sincerity, he said. The two leaders agreed to have their foreign ministers work together to develop a list of practical confidence-building measures, focusing on areas of common ground to restore trust and strengthen ties.
Anutin further stated in an interview following the trilateral talks that Thailand remains committed to regional peace while prioritizing national sovereignty and the interests of the Thai people.
Both military forces continue to adhere to the ceasefire signed on December 27, 2025. No violence has occurred along the border in the nearly five months since the agreement.
The Prime Minister also informed the meeting of Thailand’s reasons for canceling the 2001 Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). Both sides agreed to utilize the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) as a reference for future discussions.
Negotiations will resume at the operational level through the Joint Boundary Commission (JBC) and General Border Committee (GBC) before reaching the ministerial level.
Anutin emphasized that the current focus is on dialogue rather than territorial claims or reopening border crossings. Any further steps toward restoring full diplomatic relations will be guided by a Joint Statement and the achievement of mutually acceptable agreements. (TNA)
