H.E. Mr. Don Pramudwinai, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Thailand, presided over a regional meeting of Thai Ambassadors and Consuls-General to the East Asia and South Pacific regions during 19 – 20 December 2018 under the overarching theme of “Implementing the National Strategy with Dynamic and Synergised Foreign Policy amidst Global Political and Economic Challenges.” The objective of the meeting is to drive the implementation of the 20-Year National Strategy alongside the “5S Foreign Policy” in this dynamic regional landscape.

 

In his remarks, the Thai Foreign Minister set out the “5S Foreign Policy,” which calls for synergised and dynamic diplomacy and partnership efforts that will lead the country to achieve substantial gains in 20 years’ time through five key strategies: Security, Sustainability, Standard, Status, and Synergy. The 5S Foreign Policy is ushering in a new age of diplomacy that can help navigate Thailand through the challenges of the next decades, with the aim of propelling the country forward on its path to becoming a developed and sustainable nation.

 

Another important issue on the agenda was Thailand’s forthcoming ASEAN Chairmanship in 2019 under the theme of “Advancing Partnership for Sustainability.” The meeting discussed how Thailand could collaborate with all ASEAN members in pursuing sustainability in all dimensions. These include sustainable security, sustainable economic growth, and sustainable human security. Thailand is determined to promote regional stability through a constructive and active role in alleviating pressing humanitarian issues and tensions in the region.

 

The meeting underlined the importance for Thailand to continue promoting sustainable development and economically empowering the Mekong sub-region through home-grown processes, particularly ACMECS, while forging synergised cooperation with development partners in an inclusive manner.

 

Ambassadors and Consuls-General also discussed with Dr. Luxmon Attapich, Deputy Secretary-General of the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC), on strategic factors to boost Thailand’s competitiveness in innovative industries under the Thailand 4.0 policy, as well as how Thai Embassies and Consulates-General could engage foreign partners in the EEC of Thailand, a special economic zone of target industries with prime land and sea connectivity.

 

This meeting was the final in a series of seven regional meetings of Thai Ambassadors and Consuls-General held in 2018. The six previous meetings were held in and focused on Europe and Central Asia, South Asia, Latin America and Caribbean, Africa, North America, and the Middle East. These regional meetings enabled in-depth discussions of Thai foreign policy in different contexts and areas across the world. Each of these meetings also produced an action-oriented Regional Mission Statement, which provides a guidance framework for Team Thailand (Thai agencies overseas led by the Thai Ambassador) in their work to further enhance relations with other countries as well as promote and protect Thai interests overseas in an integrated manner for the next two years (2019 – 2020).