BANGKOK, Thailand – Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sihasak Phuangketkeow and Malaysian Foreign Minister Dato’ Seri Utama Haji Mohamad bin Haji Hasan co-chaired the seventh Ministerial Meeting of the Thailand–Malaysia Committee on the Joint Development Strategy for Border Areas (JDS) and the 16th Joint Commission for Bilateral Cooperation (JC) during the Malaysian minister’s working visit to Thailand on October 27–28, 2026.
During bilateral discussions, both sides welcomed positive developments following the Thai Prime Minister’s official visit to Malaysia in July 2026. They discussed preparations for the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations in 2027, upcoming high-level exchanges, the eighth Prime Ministerial Annual Consultation to be hosted by Thailand, as well as border security, economic cooperation, and regional developments.
At the JDS meeting, the ministers reviewed progress under the 2024–2027 strategy and emphasized improving livelihoods in border communities. They welcomed the completion of the road linking the new Sadao Customs Checkpoint with Bukit Kayu Hitam and supported accelerating construction of the parallel bridge across the Golok River and restoring Su-ngai Kolok–Rantau Panjang railway services.
Discussions also addressed extending border checkpoint operating hours, connecting border special economic zones, and finalizing memoranda of understanding on education and labor for signing at the eighth Annual Consultation. At the JC meeting, both sides supported using the Joint Working Committee on Security Cooperation (JWC-SC) for policy-level border security discussions. They reaffirmed their target of US$30 billion in bilateral trade by 2027 and agreed to convene the fourth Joint Trade Committee (JTC) meeting to enhance economic cooperation and discuss new trade targets.
The ministers welcomed the establishment of the Joint Ministerial Committee on Transport Cooperation (JMC) to promote cross-border connectivity. Thailand also congratulated Malaysia on its 2025 ASEAN Chairmanship, while Malaysia reaffirmed support for Thailand’s ASEAN Chairmanship in 2028. Both meetings adopted their respective records of discussion and agreed that Malaysia will host the eighth JDS Ministerial Meeting and the 17th JC Meeting. The ministers then held a joint press conference, followed by a dinner hosted by Sihasak in honor of the Malaysian delegation. (NNT)
