VIENTIANE – On October 11, 2024, at 2:30 PM, Prime Minister Phaethongthar Shinawatra expressed satisfaction regarding the overall outcomes of the 44th and 45th ASEAN Summits, which took place over the past three days in Vientiane, Laos. During an interview with the Thai Public Broadcasting Service, the Prime Minister shared insights about the meetings and the discussions held on over 20 agenda items.
The Prime Minister noted the warm welcome received from ASEAN leaders, highlighting Thailand and Singapore as new leaders participating in this summit. The meetings focused on enhancing economic cooperation and seeking strategic partnerships for investment.
Key topics discussed during the ASEAN forum included tourism connectivity, with discussions aimed at increasing direct flights between member countries, visa exemptions, water management, soft power, people-to-people relations, and human security issues such as food security and green energy.
The Prime Minister emphasized the collective commitment of all countries to maintain ASEAN as a peaceful region. Regarding the situation in Myanmar, Thailand is prepared to act as a platform for dialogue among all parties to promote peace and stability within the ASEAN community, receiving strong cooperation from all sides.
During the bilateral discussions with 12 countries, support for tourism initiatives, including the “6 Countries, 1 Destination” project, was affirmed, alongside collaborative efforts to address cross-border issues, water management, and climate change. The Prime Minister also had discussions with the Australian Prime Minister about technology exchange, expressing Thailand’s interest in learning from Australia’s disaster management expertise.
Looking ahead to 2025, the Prime Minister announced that Thailand and China will celebrate 50 years of diplomatic relations, declaring the year as a “Golden Year” with joint activities planned throughout the year to celebrate this milestone. (PRD)
