Summary of Weekly Press Briefing

By the Director-General of the Department of Information and MFA Spokesperson

on 16 October 2025 at 10:30 hrs.

MFA Press Conference Room and MFA FB LIVE / TikTok LIVE

1. Minister of Foreign Affairs to join the Prime Minister’s official visit to Lao PDR

• During 15 - 16 October 2025, the Minister of Foreign Affairs joined the Prime Minister’s official visit to the Lao People's Democratic Republic, at the invitation of H.E. Mr. Sonexay Siphandone, Prime Minister of the Lao PDR.
• This is the first official visit abroad of the Prime Minister since assuming office. It also holds special significance as this year marks the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Thailand and the Lao PDR. Official programmes for the Prime Minister include a bilateral meeting with the Prime Minister of the Lao PDR and a courtesy call on H.E. Mr. Thongloun Sisoulith, President of the Lao PDR.
• The visit aims to further advance the Thailand - Lao PDR Strategic Partnership for Growth and Sustainable Development and lay a strong foundation for future cooperation.
• Key areas of mutual interest include combating transnational crimes, addressing transboundary challenges, strengthening economic and connectivity cooperation, as well as deepening people-to-people ties.

2. Minister of Foreign Affairs’ official visit to Singapore during the 15th Thailand - Singapore Civil Service Exchange Programme (CSEP) in Singapore

• On 21 - 22 October 2025, the Foreign Minister is scheduled to pay an official visit to Singapore while in the country for the 15th Civil Service Exchange Programme (CSEP) between Thailand and Singapore. CSEP is held this year under the theme “Partners in Progress, Shaping a Green and Digital Future.” He will jointly deliver the opening remarks with H.E. Dr. Vivian Balakrishnan, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Singapore.
• The Foreign Minister will also pay courtesy calls on H.E. Mr. Lawrence Wong, Prime Minister of Singapore, and the Foreign Minister of Singapore. This visit will serve to prepare for the official visit to Singapore by the Prime Minister scheduled for 7 November 2025.
• This year marks the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Thailand and Singapore.
• The Foreign Minister will also host a Business Lunch on 22 October 2025 to encourage Singaporean private sector representatives to expand investments in Thailand.
• The Civil Service Exchange Programme (CSEP) serves as a cooperative mechanism under the framework of the Singapore - Thailand Enhanced Partnership (STEP), which was established in 1997, to strengthen the strategic partnership between the two countries. The CSEP also provides a platform for civil servants from both Thailand and Singapore to engage in in-depth interactions and to further develop cooperation between the two sides, yielding tangible and mutually beneficial outcomes. Notably, Singapore is the only country with which Thailand maintains this form of collaboration.

3. Minister of Foreign Affairs to attend the 47th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

• During 23 - 28 October 2025, the Foreign Minister will attend the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting and accompany the Prime Minister to attend the 47th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits in Kuala Lumpur.
• The Summit is held under Malaysia’s Chairmanship theme “Inclusivity and Sustainability” and it will be the first meeting Timor-Leste attends as an ASEAN member.
• There will be 13 meetings in total with the Prime Minister of Malaysia as Chair, including the ASEAN Summit and the Retreat Session; 8 Related Summits with dialogue partners including China, Japan, Republic of Korea, India, Australia, the U.S., New Zealand and the United Nations; the ASEAN Plus Three with China, Japan and Republic of Korea; and the East Asia Summit.
• Thailand will focus on 4 main issues under the key message “Thailand as a key strategic player for advancing peace, prosperity and development.”

1. An active promoter of peace and stability through ASEAN-led mechanisms and supporting the role of ASEAN Centrality;
2. A key player for a secure region by supporting ASEAN as a community that promotes human security and effectively addresses transnational crime in the region;
3. A driver for inclusive economic development for the benefit of the people at large; and
4. An agent of change for sustainability by emphasising Thailand’s role as the ASEAN coordinator on sustainable development to advance cooperation both within ASEAN and with dialogue partners.

• In addition, the meetings are also expected to discuss regional and international issues, including situations in Myanmar, the South China Sea, the Middle East, and Russia - Ukraine.

4. Minister of Foreign Affairs to attend the 32nd APEC Summit and Related Meetings in Gyeongju

• The Foreign Minister will attend the APEC Ministerial Meeting and accompany the Prime Minister to attend the 32nd APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting during 29 October - 1 November 2025 in Gyeongju, the Republic of Korea.
• Both the Foreign Minister and the Prime Minister will also meet with business representatives from the APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC). They will also take the opportunity to hold bilateral discussions with ministers and leaders from member economies.
• The Leaders’ Meeting will review past achievements and set future directions for cooperation. The meeting comes at a critical juncture for the world, amid challenges such as global economic uncertainty, geopolitical tensions, supply chain disruptions, and digital transition and green economy. It will thus be an important opportunity for Thailand to play a constructive role in shaping the region’s future cooperation agenda.
• Thailand has consistently played a leading role in defining the region’s vision and advancing key priorities, continuing on from the outcomes of its APEC 2022 host year to deliver tangible benefits to the region’s people. Thailand is recognised for its commitment to sustainable development, guided by the Bangkok Goals on the BCG Economy (Bio-Circular-Green Economy) as APEC’s first comprehensive sustainability plan.
• The Republic of Korea, as host, has set the overarching theme as “Building a Sustainable Tomorrow,” under three key concepts: Connect. Innovate. Prosper.
• APEC comprises 21 member economies, with a combined population of around 95 billion people, accounting for 62 per cent of global GDP and 48 per cent of global trade. APEC member economies represent over 70 per cent of Thailand’s international trade value, underscoring the strategic importance of this cooperative framework to the Thai economy.

5. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs jointly organises the presentation of the Royal Kathina Robes in Buddhist temples abroad in 2025

• The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is currently undertaking the annual project to present the Royal Kathina Robes at Buddhist temples abroad as part of Thailand’s cultural diplomacy efforts to strengthen friendship and foster people-to-people ties through Buddhism.
• The initiative has gradually expanded from neighbouring countries to ASEAN members, South Asia, and East Asia. Over the course of 30 years, the project has been carried out 190 times in 13 countries.
• This year marks the 31st year of the project. The Foreign Minister and senior executives of the Ministry are presiding over the Presentation of the Royal Kathina Robes in eight countries - India, Myanmar, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Lao PDR, Viet Nam and China.
• On 18 October 2025, the Foreign Minister will preside over the Presentation of the Royal Kathina Robes at the Kuenray Monastery, Tashichho Dzong, Thimphu, Kingdom of Bhutan. This event is part of efforts to promote goodwill and sustain the positive momentum following the State Visit of Their Majesties the King and Queen of Thailand to the Kingdom of Bhutan in April 2025.

Watch the full session at: https://www.facebook.com/share/v/17S1GiFvXx/?mibextid=wwXIfr