BANGKOK, Thailand – Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Anutin Charnvirakul addressed questions regarding Thailand’s recent decision to suspend aspects of the Joint Declaration with Malaysia, stating that the previous “four-point” conditions no longer exist and that Thailand will proceed independently under a “Do it My Way” approach.
When asked whether Thailand would need to explain the move to Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, Anutin replied that the prior four points are no longer applicable. He emphasized that Thailand has the capacity and readiness to act independently and did not elaborate further on discussions.
Regarding comments made on the international stage about ignoring Trump-era tariffs, the Prime Minister said Thailand must always maintain readiness. “We are an export-dependent nation. It is our duty to seek new markets continuously and to develop Thai products to meet global demand to the greatest extent possible. Thailand already has the potential—we will not allow these factors to hold us back, cause disadvantage, or compromise our sovereignty,” he said.
On whether Thailand would clarify its position to the United States as a signatory observer of the Joint Declaration, Anutin confirmed that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is handling the matter.
Addressing public concerns, some of whom called for decisive action while others feared escalation, Anutin stated that Thailand already has operational plans in place. “Matters of national security and defense cannot be fully discussed in a public interview. However, as the minister and head of government, we have convened the National Security Council, established measures, and assigned personnel to maximize benefits for the country’s sovereignty and the safety of the people, while upholding the honor and dignity of our soldiers and officers protecting the land,” he said.
When asked if the military is fully prepared, Anutin nodded in agreement and added, “Absolutely.” He reiterated that all actions are already outlined in operational plans, which cannot be publicly disclosed. (TNA)
