VIANTIANE – Thailand and the United States held discussions during the 44th and 45th ASEAN Summits, focusing on enhancing regional security, and economic cooperation, and addressing pressing global challenges such as drug trafficking and disaster management.
Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra met with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken during the event. The Thai leader emphasized Thailand’s role as a bridge between ASEAN and the United States to promote peace, stability, and prosperity both regionally and globally. She also expressed Thailand’s readiness to collaborate on utilizing new technologies for combating drug trafficking and mitigating natural disasters.
During the talks, Prime Minister Paetongtarn reaffirmed the Thai government’s commitment to work with the United States to address issues affecting the public, such as drug trafficking, online scams, and disaster management. On security cooperation, she highlighted Thailand’s dedication to strengthening defense partnerships, particularly through joint military exercises like Cobra Gold, and emphasized the importance of military education and knowledge exchange to tackle new challenges.
Both leaders discussed expanding economic cooperation between Thailand and the United States, aiming to boost bilateral trade and investment. They also explored collaboration on disaster management, with Thailand planning to work with the U.S. to integrate advanced technology and expertise to reduce risks and damages from various disasters.
On regional cooperation, Thailand and the United States agreed on the need to enhance their partnership in multiple dimensions, with Thailand serving as a “bridge builder” to support peace, stability, and prosperity across the region and beyond. Thailand expressed its support for the constructive role of the United States in promoting peace and resolving conflicts in various regions. The U.S. also acknowledged ASEAN’s significance in fostering cooperation between ASEAN and the United States and noted the importance of strengthening people-to-people ties between Thailand and the United States. (NNT)
