Prime Ministers Anutin and Lawrence Wong of Thailand and Singapore have joined hands to elevate their strategic partnership, advancing four key pillars: economy, energy, security, and ASEAN cooperation.
At 15:30 on 2 September 2026 GMT+7. Mr. Anutin Charnvirakul, Prime Minister and Minister of Interior of Thailand, together with H.E. Mr. Lawrence Wong, Prime Minister of the Republic of Singapore, held a joint press conference following the conclusion of the 5th Thailand-Singapore Leaders’ Retreat at Mandarin Oriental Hotel, Bangkok.
Ms. Ratchada Thanadirek, spokesperson for the Office of the Prime Minister, revealed that this meeting was a significant opportunity for leaders of both countries to set the direction of their relationship and exchange views on cooperation across multiple dimensions. These included bilateral matters, defense, food security, energy, investment, digital economy, artificial intelligence, people-to-people relations, and key regional issues.
After the meeting, both prime ministers witnessed the signing of a memorandum of understanding on cooperation between Thailand’s Ministry of Social Development and Human Security and Singapore’s Ministry of Social and Family Development. This covers social welfare, community development, persons with disabilities, women, children and families, as well as personnel exchanges between relevant agencies.
Later, the two prime ministers held a joint press conference to discuss the meeting outcomes. The Thai Prime Minister welcomed the Singaporean delegation, noting this was the first Leaders’ Retreat in 11 years and very timely, as Thailand and Singapore will serve consecutive ASEAN chairmanships over the next two years. They share joint responsibility to guide ASEAN in addressing global challenges and strengthening the region.
Both sides expressed satisfaction with the Joint Statement on the Thailand-Singapore Forward-Looking Strategic Partnership, which will guide their future relationship and reflect their shared commitment to elevating their strategic partnership. They also welcomed the signing of the memorandum on social development cooperation and agreed to prepare four additional agreements covering digital economy, transnational crime, food security, and supply chain resilience.
, The Prime Minister stated that both countries will advance cooperation under four key pillars. These are:
1. Environment, sustainability, and energy-food security. They will continue cooperation on clean and low-carbon energy, building on the integrated power grid project connecting Laos, Thailand, Malaysia, and Singapore to support the ASEAN Power Grid. Cooperation will also cover carbon credits, hydrogen, and low-carbon technologies. Regarding food security, Thailand is ready to be a trusted food source for Singapore, extending the agreement to deliver 100,000 tons of Thai rice over five years and expanding to other food products.
2. Economy, investment, and digital economy to strengthen trade and investment. They will promote Singaporean investment in key industries such as semiconductors, digital economy, green economy, and logistics, while developing a skilled workforce. Cooperation in digital economy, financial connectivity, and AI will expand, alongside support for Thailand’s OECD membership.
3. Defense and security. They will enhance cooperation in defense, cybersecurity, and defense industries, and increase collaboration to combat online crime through coordination among agencies, banking sectors, and technology companies.
4. Strategic regional coordination. Thailand will support Singapore’s ASEAN chairmanship next year and closely coordinate to ensure continuity between Singapore’s and Thailand’s terms. Together, they will strengthen ASEAN’s role amid regional and global challenges.
Regarding the situation in Myanmar, the Prime Minister said both sides affirmed ASEAN’s key role in supporting peace and prosperity there. He informed the Singaporean Prime Minister of Thailand’s approach to increasing appropriate ASEAN-Myanmar engagement, acting as a bridge while promoting positive developments through calibrated re-engagement to support ASEAN’s efforts. Thailand will work closely with Singapore and Myanmar to encourage constructive progress.
On Thailand-Cambodia relations, Prime Minister Anutin reaffirmed Thailand’s commitment to peacefully resolve differences through existing bilateral mechanisms. Towards the end, the Prime Minister added that to make discussions concrete, Thailand will host future ministerial-level meetings involving foreign and commerce ministers. He thanked the Singaporean Prime Minister for substantive talks and expressed hope to visit Singapore again for the next Leaders’ Retreat.
The Singaporean Prime Minister stated that the Leaders’ Retreat confirmed the strength of the partnership between Singapore and Thailand, which is comprehensive and concrete, built on trust, with great potential for further development. Both sides aim to deepen cooperation in food and energy security, digital economy, and combating transnational crime. He noted the leaders set a visionary cooperation agenda and believe their joint work will bring tangible benefits to citizens of both countries.
Thai ministerial attendees included the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Minister of Defense, Minister of Digital Economy and Society, Minister of Social Development and Human Security, and Minister of Labor.
Singaporean attendees included the Minister coordinating public service and Minister of Defense, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Minister for Sustainability and Environment, Minister overseeing trade relations, Minister for Social and Family Development, and Minister for Digital Development and Information.