BANGKOK, Thailand – Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has expressed satisfaction with the outcomes of the 46th ASEAN Summit and related meetings in Kuala Lumpur, describing Thailand’s participation as exceeding expectations in both regional and inter-regional cooperation. Speaking to Thai media on May 27, she referred to enhanced partnerships with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and China, as well as emerging opportunities in trade, energy, and investment.
Two major outcomes from the summit included the adoption of the “Kuala Lumpur Declaration on ASEAN 2045” and the first trilateral summit involving ASEAN, the GCC, and China. These developments are expected to strengthen long-term economic ties and political stability across Asia and the Middle East. Leaders also discussed strategies to navigate global uncertainty and the effects of evolving U.S. trade policies.
Thailand reaffirmed support for Timor-Leste’s ASEAN membership and addressed regional challenges, including the situations in Myanmar and the South China Sea. The Thai delegation called for better use of existing free trade agreements and stressed the importance of joint infrastructure projects, such as the ASEAN Power Grid, to bolster food and energy security.
In social and environmental discussions, Thailand urged closer collaboration on crime prevention, with a focus on drug trafficking and online scams, and underscored the importance of human security. The country also promoted a transition to clean energy, digital innovation, and sustainable finance, supported by growing foreign investment in its energy and data infrastructure sectors.
Prime Minister Paetongtarn also held bilateral meetings with leaders from the Philippines, Bahrain, Kuwait, and the UAE, covering investment in Thailand’s Land Bridge project and the expansion of trade in food and energy. She concluded by reaffirming ASEAN’s intention to engage with the United States on trade policy, adding that several member states, including Thailand, are awaiting formal discussions. (NNT)
