On 27 October 2026, H.E. Mr. Sihasak Phuangketkeow, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Dato’ Seri Utama Haji Mohamad bin Haji Hasan, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Malaysia, co-chaired the 7th Ministerial Meeting of the Thailand-Malaysia Committee on the Joint Development Strategy for Border Areas (JDS) and the 16th Meeting of the Thailand-Malaysia Joint Commission for Bilateral Cooperation (JC) at the Waldorf Astoria Bangkok, on the occasion of the Malaysian Foreign Minister’s working visit to Thailand from 27 to 28 October 2026.

During their bilateral meeting prior to the Meetings, both sides welcomed the positive momentum in bilateral relations following the Official Visit to Malaysia by the Prime Minister of Thailand in July 2026, and agreed to make use of the JDS and JC Meetings to achieve concrete progress in bilateral cooperation. The two sides also discussed preparations for upcoming exchanges of high-level visits and activities to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Thailand and Malaysia in 2027, including the 8th Annual Consultation between the Prime Ministers, to be hosted by Thailand. They also discussed border security and economic cooperation, as well as regional developments.

At the JDS Meeting, both sides took note of the progress in the implementation of the JDS Strategic Plan 2024-2027 and expressed confidence that a more dynamic and action-oriented JDS would help improve the well-being of the people in the border areas. The Meeting welcomed the completion of the road alignment linking the new CIQ Sadao and ICQS Bukit Kayu Hitam, and supported the acceleration of the Su-ngai Kolok – Rantau Panjang Second Friendship Bridge project and the revival of the Su-ngai Kolok – Rantau Panjang railway service. The Meeting noted the discussions on the proposed extension of operating hours of border checkpoints and encouraged linkages between the special border economic zones of the two countries. The Meeting also encouraged the early finalisation of the Memoranda of Understanding on education and on labour, with a view to signing them on the occasion of the 8th Annual Consultation.

At the JC Meeting, both sides reviewed bilateral cooperation in all areas. On security, the Meeting encouraged the use of the Joint Working Committee on Security Cooperation (JWC-SC) as a policy-level platform on border security management, and underscored the importance of intelligence sharing and coordinated border patrols. On the economic front, both sides expressed their commitment to achieving the bilateral trade target of USD 30 billion by 2027 and agreed to convene the 4th Meeting of the Joint Trade Committee (JTC) at the earliest opportunity to discuss ways to strengthen economic cooperation and set a new trade target. The Meeting welcomed the establishment of the Joint Ministerial Committee on Transport Cooperation (JMC), which will serve as a key mechanism for advancing cross-border connectivity. The Thai side also congratulated Malaysia on its successful ASEAN Chairmanship in 2025, while the Malaysian side reaffirmed its support for Thailand’s ASEAN Chairmanship in 2028.

Both Meetings adopted their respective Records of Discussion and agreed that the 8th JDS Ministerial Meeting and the 17th JC Meeting would be held in Malaysia. Following the Meetings, the two Foreign Ministers held a joint press conference. In the evening, the Deputy Prime Minister hosted a dinner in honour of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Malaysia and his delegation.