Anutin welcomes Singapore Prime Minister, reviving the Leaders’ Retreat after 11 years to set Thailand–Singapore strategy ahead of ASEAN chairmanship handover in 2027 and 2028.
At 15:00 on 1 Sep 2026 GMT+7, Ratchada Thanadirek, spokesperson for the Prime Minister's Office, announced that Prime Minister and Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul warmly welcomed H.E. Mr. Lawrence Wong, Prime Minister of the Republic of Singapore, who traveled to Thailand to attend the 5th Thailand–Singapore Leaders’ Retreat on 2 Sep 2026, at the invitation of the Thai Prime Minister. This marks the first Leaders’ Retreat between the two countries in 11 years.
At this meeting, both leaders will jointly set the direction for future Thailand–Singapore cooperation, aiming for concrete outcomes in various areas including promotion of clean energy, rice trade cooperation, cross-border payment connectivity, tourism, and combating online fraud crimes. They will also exchange views on regional and international situations.
The Prime Minister's Office spokesperson stated that the two leaders will endorse a joint declaration on a forward-looking Thailand–Singapore strategic partnership. This will serve as a framework to drive bilateral relations and build on the strengths of both countries toward cooperation that delivers tangible benefits to their peoples.
This meeting is also significant in the ASEAN context as Singapore and Thailand will consecutively serve as ASEAN chairpersons in 2027 and 2028, respectively. It provides an opportunity for the leaders to exchange perspectives and coordinate their approaches to strengthen ASEAN’s unity and resilience amid rapidly changing economic and geopolitical challenges.
Additionally, both sides are scheduled to exchange a memorandum of understanding between Thailand’s Ministry of Social Development and Human Security and Singapore’s Ministry of Social and Family Development on cooperation in social development. This aims to enhance collaboration in social dimensions and improve the quality of life for their populations.
On 2 Sep 2026, the two prime ministers will participate in the 5th Thailand–Singapore Leaders’ Retreat at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Bangkok. They will then witness the MOU exchange ceremony and joint press conference. Afterwards, the Thai Prime Minister will host a dinner in honor of the Singapore Prime Minister at Santi Maitri Building, Government House.