Summary of Press Briefing
during the 47^th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits

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

on 28 October 2025 at 15:00 hrs.
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

• Today’s press briefing is about Thailand’s participation in ASEAN meetings and bilateral discussions with several countries and organizations held on 27 and 28 October 2025.
• Thailand continues to advance our position as “A key strategic player for advancing peace, prosperity and development.”

1. ASEAN meetings

The 20th East Asia Summit (EAS)

• On 27 October 2025, the Prime Minister attended the 20th East Asia Summit (EAS). In attendance were leaders or representatives from the ASEAN Member States, Australia, China, India, Japan, New Zealand, Russia, the Republic of Korea, and the U.S.
• The meeting discussed ways forward to strengthen EAS cooperation in response to emerging challenges and exchanged views on key regional and international issues, including the situation in Myanmar, the South China Sea, the Korean Peninsula, Ukraine, and the Middle East.
• The meeting adopted the Kuala Lumpur Declaration on the 20th Anniversary of the EAS and the EAS Leaders’ Statement on Promoting Localization in Anticipatory Action for Disaster Preparedness and Response.
• The Prime Minister stressed the role of the EAS as a leaders-led forum for dialogue and cooperation to promote peace, stability and prosperity in the region, while emphasizing the principles of good neighborliness and peaceful resolution of conflicts. He also underlined the importance of strengthening the EAS process and ASEAN Centrality and Unity amidst the evolving geopolitical landscape, global economic uncertainties, and transboundary threats, especially online scams.
• Main issues that were widely discussed include: (1) Myanmar – The meeting supported the cessation of violence and inclusive dialogue among all parties, and exchanged views on the upcoming elections in Myanmar; (2) The South China Sea – The meeting supported peaceful resolution in accordance with international law, including UNCLOS; and (3) Gaza – The meeting welcomed the peace agreement recently reached between Israel and Hamas, emphasized the urgent need for humanitarian assistance and supported conflict resolution through a two-state solution for a lasting peace.
• The issue of the Thai - Cambodian border situation was also raised. A number of countries welcomed the Joint Declaration by the Prime Minister of Cambodia and the Prime Minister of Thailand on the outcomes of their meeting in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, signed on 26 October 2025 and encouraged its full implementation.

The 15th ASEAN - United Nations (UN) Summit

• On 27 October 2025, the Prime Minister attended the 15th ASEAN - United Nations (UN) Summit
• The meeting exchanged views on ways to advance cooperation between ASEAN and the UN, and adopted a new Plan of Action to Implement the Joint Declaration on Comprehensive Partnership between ASEAN and the United Nations (2026-2030), as well as endorsed the complementarities between the ASEAN Community Vision 2045 and the UN 2030 Agenda (Complementarities Initiative 2.0), which was initiated by Thailand, who serves as ASEAN Coordinator on Sustainable Development Cooperation.
• The meeting also discussed issues of mutual interest and shared priority, including: (1) Combating transnational crime, particularly online scams, as well as human trafficking, drug trafficking, and cybercrime. In this regard, Thailand offered to host an international conference on combating transnational crime and hoped to count on the U.S.’ participation; (2) Supporting digital transformation and advancing the upcoming ASEAN Digital Economy Framework Agreement (DEFA); and (3) Promoting people-to-people exchanges.
• The Prime Minister reiterated Thailand’s commitment to multilateralism and a rules-based international order, and expressed its readiness to cooperate with the UN to scale up humanitarian assistance to Myanmar, while advancing cooperation to address online scams. He also proposed to convene an international conference to foster international cooperation in combating online scams.

The 28th ASEAN - China Summit

• On 28 October 2025, the Prime Minister attended the 28th ASEAN - China Summit.
• The meeting signed the Protocol to Upgrade the ASEAN-China Free Trade Area (ACFTA) 3.0, reaffirming ASEAN - China cooperation under the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP), which will mark its 5th anniversary in 2026.
• The meeting discussed cooperation in political and security, economic, and socio-cultural dimensions, as well as activities under the ASEAN - China Year of People-to-People Exchange (2024–2025). Regional and international developments were also discussed.
• Key priorities for Thailand included:

(1) Economic integration – to support the development of supply chains, promote business opportunities for MSMEs, advance cooperation on green economy, digital transition, and smart agriculture, and maximize the benefits of the ASEAN-China FTA 3.0 and RCEP agreements;

(2) Transboundary security challenges – to address the growing threats of transnational crime, particularly online scams, human trafficking, and environmental issues such as transboundary haze pollution;

(3) Peace and stability – to support the peaceful settlement of disputes in accordance with international law, and encourage China’s constructive role in promoting regional peace and stability.

The ASEAN - New Zealand Commemorative Summit

• On 28 October 2025, the Prime Minister attended ASEAN - New Zealand Commemorative Summit.
• This meeting was significant as it marked the elevation of relations from a Strategic Partnership (SP) to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP), in commemoration of the 50th anniversary of bilateral relations this year.
• The meeting adopted the ASEAN-New Zealand Leaders’ Joint Vision Statement on the 50th Anniversary of ASEAN-New Zealand Dialogue Relations, and took note of the Plan of Action to Implement the ASEAN-New Zealand Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (2026-2030).
• Thailand welcomed the establishment of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, and reaffirmed its support for cooperation in maritime security, disaster management and health security, suppression of transnational crime and online scams, the strengthening of the multilateral trading system, as well as collaboration on the green agenda, climate action, and sustainable agriculture and tourism.
• Thailand valued New Zealand’s steadfast support for ASEAN-coordinated humanitarian efforts for Myanmar and looked forward to working together to foster conditions conducive to peace and stability in Myanmar.

The 5th ASEAN - Australia Summit

• On 28 October 2025, the Foreign Minister represented the Prime Minister at the 5th ASEAN - Australia Summit.
• The meeting will review the progress made in advancing ASEAN - Australia relations under the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP). It will also look into the implementation of various initiatives arising from the ASEAN - Australia Special Summit to commemorate the 50th anniversary of ASEAN - Australia relations, and the regular summit held in 2024.
• The meeting will adopt one document, namely the ASEAN–Australia Joint Leaders’ Statement on Conflict Prevention and Crisis Management in the ASEAN-led Regional Architecture.
• Thailand will advance its cooperation with Australia in three key areas: (1) Security for our region – Supporting multilateral cooperation, maritime security, cyber security, and efforts to combat online scams and human trafficking; (2) Security for our economy – Promoting the multilateral trading system, enhancing economic cooperation through existing mechanisms such as AANZFTA and RCEP, organizing a CEO Forum in ASEAN, and strengthening collaboration through ACMECS; and (3) Security for our peoples – Promoting people-centered cooperation, particularly in the area of public health, education, and the green agenda.

2. Bilateral meetings at the Prime Minister level

• On 27 and 28 October 2025, the Prime Minister had bilateral meetings with the Prime Ministers of Singapore, New Zealand, Viet Nam, Australia, China, and Cambodia, as well as the Vice President of the World Bank (for the East Asia and Pacific Region).
• The main issues discussed included possible exchange of visits, promotion of bilateral trade and investment, cooperation in combating transnational crime, particularly online scams, and ways to engage with each country on various occasions through both bilateral and multilateral frameworks.
• With regard to the bilateral meeting with the Prime Minister of Cambodia, the Prime Minister expressed his gratitude to the Prime Minister of Cambodia for his letter of condolences on the passing of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit, The Queen Mother of Thailand. He reaffirmed the importance of ensuring that the Joint Declaration be implemented in full with sincerity, without delay, particularly in the four key areas agreed upon, namely: (1) the withdrawal of heavy weapons from border areas to their normal installations; (2) humanitarian demining; (3) combating transnational crime, particularly online scams; and (4) the management of border areas. He also emphasized that this is a shared responsibility for both sides to take the necessary actions to ensure the safety and security of the people of both nations. Both Prime Ministers agreed to enhance diplomatic communication, including through the Ministers of Foreign Affairs on a regular basis as appropriate.

Watch the full session at: https://youtu.be/IFb4JQwEen8