“Anutin” urged ASEAN to stop being reactive and adopt a proactive approach, emphasizing three strategic measures to strengthen the region and welcoming positive signals from Myanmar.
On 8 May 2026 GMT+7 at the Shangri-La Mactan Hotel, Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Anutin Charnvirakul attended the 48th informal ASEAN Summit. He stressed to the meeting that the global context is undergoing significant changes, including crises in the Middle East and instability in the multipolar system, meaning ASEAN can no longer afford a defensive role. Instead, ASEAN must be agile, forward-looking, and earnestly promote peaceful dispute resolution.
In this regard, Anutin proposed three strategic approaches to guide the region forward: strengthening regionalism, where members must move beyond narrow self-interests and prioritize ASEAN’s collective benefit; resilience by reinforcing ASEAN centrality, encouraging members to make ASEAN the core of their foreign policies and develop mechanisms to manage tensions before they escalate into crises; and maintaining ASEAN’s relevance by becoming trusted international partners and ensuring regional integration leads to tangible improvements in people's quality of life.
Furthermore, the Prime Minister addressed the situation in Myanmar, viewing the amnesty of former President U Win Myint and the relocation of Aung San Suu Kyi to residence as positive signals and important opportunities to foster dialogue and reconciliation. Thailand is fully prepared to support the ASEAN chair and special envoys to gradually and appropriately implement the Five-Point Consensus, aiming to sustainably restore stability to the region.