On 2 July 2013, Mr. Sihasak Phuangketkeow, Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs of Thailand, representing Thailand at the 20th ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) in Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam, shared Thailand’s views on regional and international issues.

Permanent Secretary Sihasak asserted that the evolving strategic relationship in Asia has made the region’s geo-political landscape more complex, creating a sense of uncertainty that bears directly on regional peace and stability.  In light of this more complex strategic landscape, he stressed that the ARF must become a process, rather than a forum, for addressing issues that have direct bearings on regional peace and stability.

The Permanent Secretary maintained that, maritime security goes beyond managing disputes and encompasses the promotion of common grounds and interests on issues, ranging from freedom and safety of navigation to search and rescue and marine environment conservation. He noted the positive momentum on the South China Sea issue and stressed that while resolution of disputes must be dealt directly between the parties concerned, the implementation of cooperative activities within the framework of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC) is a major confidence building measure that must be maintained and strengthened, in tandem with efforts to arrive at an early conclusion of the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea (COC).

The Permanent Secretary expressed Thailand’s concern about the situation on the Korean Peninsula which could directly affect the region’s peace and stability. He reiterated his country’s support on the full implementation of the related UNSC resolutions, and noted that Inter-Korean dialogue is key to peace on the peninsula.

The Permanent Secretary also shared Thailand’s views on international issues, including his concern over the situation in Syria, as well as on non-traditional security threats, such as transnational crimes, human trafficking, cyber crimes and climate change.  He underscored that since these trans-boundary security challenges can affect countries in the region collectively, the ARF must enhance regional cooperation to address them. Permanent Secretary Sihasak also announced that Thailand and the U.S. will co-host a seminar/workshop on Concept of Development of the ARF Transnational Treat Information-sharing Center (ATTIC) in order to combat trafficking in persons and drugs, which are in most cases linked to transnational organized crimes.

On the future direction of the ARF, he maintained that the ARF should move towards preventive diplomacy progressively to remain relevant.