Summary of Weekly Press Briefing

By Director-General of Department of Information/ MFA Spokesperson

18 April 2025 at 14.00 hrs.
at Press Room, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and MFA FB/TikTok Live

1. Working Visit of the Prime Minister of Malaysia to Thailand (17-18 April 2025)

• During 17 - 18 April 2025, Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim, Prime Minister of Malaysia, was on his Working Visit to Thailand. He held a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra on 17 April at Government House.
• The objective of this Working Visit was to follow up on Prime Minister Paetongtarn’s official visit to Malaysia on 16 December 2024 and the latest telephone discussion between the two Premiers on 5 April The visit aimed to generate important momentum for cooperation in various fields between the two countries.
• During the bilateral meeting, the two sides reiterated the strong relationship between the two countries and discussed bilateral and regional/international issues.
• Key bilateral issues included:
  • Strengthening economic cooperation and promoting border connectivity: both Prime Ministers witnessed the exchange of the Agreement between the Government of Thailand and the Government of Malaysia Relating to the Construction of the Second Bridge over the Kolok River, which will contribute towards greater dynamism in border trade and people-to-people exchanges;
  • Situation in the Southern Border Provinces: both sides agreed on advancing the peace dialogue with Malaysia as facilitator, in order to promote local economic development;
  • Energy security: the Malaysian side thanked PTT Public Company Limited for its prompt support in supplying energy to Malaysia following a gas pipeline explosion in the State of Selangor, which is a reflection of the friendship and close neighbourliness the two countries enjoy;
  • Cooperation to combat online scams: Thailand requested Malaysia to share with the Thai police the results of the investigation of those repatriated Malaysian nationals who were involved in online scams in Myanmar, in order to further investigate and eliminate these criminal networks.
• Regional and international issues included:
  • Cooperation in the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) framework;
  • The provision of humanitarian assistance to Myanmar after the earthquake on 28 March 2025;
  • Coordination among ASEAN Member States on the U.S. reciprocal tariffs and how to strengthen regional economic resilience against external shocks.
• This Working Visit to Thailand was another important milestone reflecting the close relationship and comprehensive cooperation between Thailand and Malaysia, as well as the importance of updating one another on critical issues facing our countries and region. Thailand stands ready to support Malaysia as the Chair of ASEAN and to work together to address the challenges in our current context of geopolitical and geoeconomic tensions.

2. Foreign Minister to attend the Opening Ceremony of the Eighty-first Session of the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) (21 April 2025);

• On 21 April 2025, the Foreign Minister is scheduled to attend the opening ceremony of the 81st Session of the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific or ESCAP, which will be held from 21 to 25 April 2025 at the United Nations Conference Centre in Bangkok.
• This year’s theme is “Regional cooperation for resilient and sustainable urban development in Asia and the Pacific.” The session aims to encourage Member States and stakeholders to discuss ways to enhance regional cooperation in promoting sustainable, inclusive, resilient, and smart urban development. It will also promote the sharing of best practices and highlight cross-sector collaboration for future urban development.
• ESCAP is one of the five regional commissions under the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), established in 1947, with 53 member States across Asia and the Pacific. ESCAP works to support inclusive, resilient and sustainable development in the region.

3. Series of Activities as part of the Celebration of the 150th Anniversary of the Establishment of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

• This year marks the 150th anniversary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand. The MFA was formally established by His Majesty King Chulalongkorn (King Rama V) on 14 April
• The Ministry has planned to hold commemorative activities and projects throughout the year, including
  • The installation of an elephant sculpture, to symbolize Thailand and its diplomatic legacy and future, through artwork painted on the elephant. The sculpture is displayed at the Rama VI Road entrance of the Ministry.
  • Activities that allow for public participation, such as an English speech competition, an “ASEAN Street Arts” project, featuring canvas artworks by ASEAN artists, MFA outreach programmes to enhance the communication skills of students across Thailand, and a special exhibition entitled “150 Years of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs: Laying the Foundation for Future Diplomatic Relations” at Vithes Samosorn Hall, MFA.
  • The Ministry has also collaborated with the Thai PBS television broadcaster on a documentary series on “The History of Thai Diplomacy,” which traces the evolution of Thai diplomacy from the Sukhothai and Ayutthaya periods to the present day, featuring prominent figures in Thai foreign affairs. The first episode premiered on 14 April, the founding day of the Ministry. There are 4 episodes in all and available for the interested public to view through the Thai PBS channels.
  • The Ministry will host a series of academic panel discussions from 23 May to 4 June There will be panel discussions by a number of respectable panelists on various foreign affairs topics at Narathip Auditorium, with sessions held both in the mornings and afternoons. Those who are interested could follow further announcements through the Ministry’s official channels.

Watch the full session at: https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1ERmXz9cfL/

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