The Prime Minister, accompanied by his wife and delegation, flew to participate in the 81st UN General Assembly in Japan, affirming readiness with a 'full team' should Cambodia raise border issues at the UN. He joked about having his palms blessed and talismans inscribed on the back of his hands to deter reporters' questions.
On 20 September 2026 at 09:00, at Military Airport 2, Wing 6, Don Mueang, Bangkok, Prime Minister and Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, along with his wife Thannon Charnvirakul, Thai Capital Market Business Council Chairman Paiboon Nalinthrangkura, and Stock Exchange of Thailand Director and Managing Director Assadej Kongsiri, departed from Military Airport 2, Wing 6, Don Mueang, Bangkok. They were en route to attend the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA81) from 20–27 September 2026 in New York City, United States, with visits to Japan and the United Kingdom. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkaew, Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister Supachai Sutthumpun, and Digital Economy and Society Minister Chaichanok Chidchob will join the Prime Minister’s delegation later.
Prime Minister Anutin was interviewed about how Thailand would respond if Cambodia used the 81st UN General Assembly (UNGA81) to raise the Thailand-Cambodia border issue. He said, "A full team, certainly. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is confident in the steps we have taken and the situation. Currently, we are in the compulsory conciliation negotiation phase under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). Last week, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkaew met with the Cambodian side to start the first round. Thailand made its position very clear."
Reporters said that after the interview, they requested to see Prime Minister Anutin’s hands because on 19 September, Phra Kru Sithitham Wiphat, or Luang Pho Samlee, the acting abbot of Wat Ratchaburana in Phitsanulok Province, blessed his palms and inscribed the talisman “Na Ma Mon Nang Phaya” on the backs and palms of his hands. Anutin laughed while rubbing the talisman on his left hand and said he had bathed afterward, having asked the monk whether that was allowed. When reporters inquired about the power and spiritual benefits of the palm blessing and talisman inscription, Anutin joked that it was to deter reporters from asking questions. He then waved and wished them luck before entering the lounge at Military Airport Wing 6 to depart for his mission to Japan, the United States, and the United Kingdom from 20–27 September.