Prime Minister Anutin chaired a meeting with the Thailand team to dispel rumors of Japanese production relocation, expressing confidence in continued Japanese investment in Thailand. He highlighted electric vehicles and clean energy initiatives, cooperation to combat scammers, and emphasized that Thailand's financial system meets international standards, ensuring reliability and transparency in financial transactions.
On 21 September 2026, Anutin Charnvirakul, Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, chaired a policy and strategic discussion meeting on foreign affairs, including promoting Thai-Japanese relations and integrating the work of the Thailand team. The meeting took place at the Imperial Hotel in Tokyo, Japan. Attendees included Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Commerce Supachai Sutthumpan, representatives from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Thai Ambassador to Tokyo, Thai Consuls General in Osaka and Fukuoka, and other relevant agency representatives.
The Prime Minister expressed pleasure in meeting the Thailand team before proceeding to attend the 81st United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, USA. He noted that the information about various aspects of Thai-Japanese relations presented by the Thai Ambassador to Tokyo would be taken into account in formulating future policies.
He stated that Thailand and Japan maintain a friendly relationship. Although Japanese investment in Thailand may no longer be as substantial as in the past or might have slowed somewhat, the broader context of Thailand’s economic changes should be considered. Historically, Thailand relied heavily on Japan in many areas, but today Thailand has enhanced its own capabilities and reduced dependence on imported raw materials by producing more domestically.
The Prime Minister cited the automotive industry as an example, which is transitioning from internal combustion engines to electric vehicles (EVs). At the same time, the EV market faces increasing competition, especially from Chinese manufacturers.
Regarding rumors that Japan might completely relocate its production bases out of Thailand, the Prime Minister said that discussions with the Japanese Ambassador to Thailand earlier denied such reports. He noted that Japanese investment in Thailand today differs from the past; previously, Thailand had a trade deficit with Japan worth tens of billions of baht, but this figure has now decreased to about 6 billion baht.
Meanwhile, Japan places importance on industries related to clean energy, aligning with Thailand’s direction to promote an energy transition. The government has enacted a royal decree empowering the Ministry of Finance to borrow funds to address the energy crisis’s impact and support the country’s energy transition in 2026.
The Prime Minister also affirmed Thailand’s energy security, although the current concern is oil price volatility, which requires close monitoring. Another key issue the government focuses on is combating scammers, a priority shared by Japan. He stated that conducting fraudulent financial transactions in Thailand has become more difficult, and Thailand’s standards for monitoring suspicious transactions are recognized as credible and meet international benchmarks.
Additionally, the Prime Minister observed that Thailand’s geographic advantages, combined with the familiarity and strong relations between Thailand and Japan, support ongoing Japanese cooperation and investment in Thailand.
Anutin Completes Duties in Japan and Departs for New York
At 14:00 local time in Tokyo, which is two hours ahead of Thailand, Ekaphop Phanpiset, spokesperson for the Prime Minister’s Office, announced that Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Anutin Charnvirakul departed for New York City, USA, to attend the 81st UN General Assembly. Anutin left from Tokyo International Airport (Haneda) bound for New York, with an expected arrival at John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) at 15:05 local time in New York, which is 11 hours behind Thailand. Later, from 17:30 to 18:00, he was scheduled to receive a briefing on the UNGA81 agenda, with the official opening ceremony set for 22 September at the United Nations Headquarters.