The government spokesperson explained that the photo of Anutin shaking hands with Hun Manet was just a polite greeting before attending the ASEAN Future Forum, affirming there was nothing more to it.
At 12:55 on 9 Jun 2026 GMT+7, Ms. Ratchada Thanadirek, spokesperson for the Office of the Prime Minister, posted on Facebook to clarify after Cambodian media released a photo of Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul shaking hands with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet. The post noted that Hun Manet met with the Thai Prime Minister before attending the opening ceremony of the 3rd ASEAN Future Forum in Hanoi, Vietnam, stating there was nothing hidden and no meeting took place. Anutin attended the ASEAN Future Forum in Vietnam that morning, with several ASEAN leaders present. Before the event started, there were polite greetings but no official meeting between Thailand and Cambodia, only informal conversations among leaders while waiting for the opening and speeches.
Ms. Ratchada further clarified that the image of Prime Minister Anutin shaking hands with the Cambodian leader was simply a courteous greeting while waiting for the ASEAN Future Forum to begin in Vietnam. At that time, several other national leaders were also present.
