Anutin revealed at the ASEAN forum support for a flexible approach to solving Myanmar's problems, affirmed Thailand's commitment to opening a new chapter in relations with Cambodia, highlighted cooperation between the executive and legislative branches at the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly, and praised Kristalina Georgieva, IMF Managing Director, for wearing Thai silk on the ASEAN stage.
The Prime Minister attended the 49th ASEAN Summit (informal) emphasizing ASEAN unity and strength amid simultaneous global challenges. He proposed expanding cooperation and building diverse partnerships, strengthening energy security, and enhancing the ASEAN Troika mechanism for continuity in operations and collective challenge response. He supported a flexible, phased approach to resolving the Myanmar situation and reaffirmed Thailand's commitment to restoring trust and relations with Cambodia through peaceful means.
On 15 November 2026 at 14:00 local time in Manila (one hour ahead of Thailand) at Coconut Palace, Manila, Philippines, Prime Minister and Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul attended the 49th ASEAN Summit (informal Retreat Session), chaired by Philippine President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos Jr., alongside ASEAN leaders to exchange views on key regional challenges and ways to strengthen ASEAN unity and its international role.
The Prime Minister stated that ASEAN has overcome many crises in the past but is now facing multiple simultaneous challenges that test the unity and resilience of ASEAN. These circumstances underscore the need to enhance operational efficiency and collective regional responsiveness to shared challenges.
He emphasized that ASEAN's challenges extend beyond the region, requiring outreach especially to middle- to low-income countries (Global South) and the African Union to open new opportunities. This will help ASEAN maintain strategic autonomy and diversify cooperation beyond traditional great powers, particularly in areas critical to the region's long-term strategic interests.
On energy security, the Prime Minister highlighted the importance of diverse energy sources, suppliers, and transport routes to reduce risks from external impacts and volatility, thereby enhancing the region's long-term energy security.
At this occasion, the Prime Minister proposed that ASEAN review and improve its organizational operations for greater efficiency, especially concerning the annual rotating ASEAN chairmanship. He suggested strengthening and fully utilizing the ASEAN Troika mechanism to ensure continuity in advancing ASEAN initiatives and supporting the chair's coordination in timely joint challenge responses.
Regarding ASEAN's ongoing work on the Myanmar situation, the Prime Minister stated that maintaining momentum is crucial, building on past experiences, particularly by promoting inclusive dialogue and ending violence from all sides. He noted concrete progress in humanitarian aid, including recent visits by special envoys and expanding the ASEAN Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian Assistance on Disaster Management (AHA Centre), offering key opportunities to advance further.
He stressed that ASEAN should recognize and support positive developments, acknowledging that change cannot happen overnight. Progress requires gradual, realistic actions given the constraints. Thailand supports a calibrated and context-appropriate re-engagement approach to enable the Myanmar people to seek sustainable peace themselves.
Regarding Thailand–Cambodia relations, the Prime Minister thanked the Philippine President for hosting the trilateral talks in Cebu, reaffirmed Thailand's adherence to the Cebu Spirit to rebuild trust and confidence through sincere dialogue, and reiterated Thailand's commitment to opening a new chapter with Cambodia. He hopes Cambodia will respond with the same spirit based on good neighborliness. Thailand remains committed to trust-building measures as a foundation for restoring peace and stability.
"The challenges ASEAN faces highlight the importance of maintaining regional unity amid increasing global uncertainties. ASEAN members must jointly overcome differences in the ASEAN way and protect the region's shared interests. Thailand stands ready to work with all ASEAN members to achieve these goals," the Prime Minister said at the ASEAN meeting.
Later at 16:45 local time in Manila (one hour ahead of Thailand) at Meeting Halls, 2nd floor, PICC Convention Center, Manila, Philippines, the Prime Minister attended discussions between ASEAN leaders and the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA) during the 49th ASEAN Summit.
The Prime Minister remarked that the world is undergoing significant changes, requiring ASEAN to adapt swiftly, including in legislative affairs. Executive and legislative branches must coordinate more closely. As ASEAN moves toward deeper integration, AIPA plays a vital role in conveying public views into ASEAN processes and raising public awareness that ASEAN cooperation improves quality of life, which is essential to building a people-centered ASEAN community.
He proposed three key areas for joint executive-legislative action: 1) Digital security—supporting timely ratification and implementation of the ASEAN Digital Economy Framework Agreement (DEFA) to unlock the region's digital potential. Though online scams and cybercrime undermine public trust, effective legal frameworks can build confidence in the digital economy while promoting innovation and economic growth.
2) Seamless connectivity—promoting harmonization of laws and regulations to facilitate the movement of goods, services, people, and professionals among ASEAN members, which benefits businesses, especially MSMEs, by expanding market access and strengthening ASEAN supply chains.
3) Green growth—facing increasing climate and energy challenges, ASEAN must advance the transition to a green economy to support sustainable growth and resilience by developing progressive legal frameworks that encourage renewable energy and green investment.
Reporters noted that after Prime Minister Anutin attended the opening ceremony of the 49th ASEAN Summit and related meetings, during a group photo with ASEAN leaders, he turned to greet and compliment Kristalina Georgieva, IMF Managing Director, who wore golden yellow Thai silk on the stage.
When reporters asked the Prime Minister if it was Thai silk, as he had praised it at the ASEAN forum, Anutin confirmed, "Certainly."
Previously, Kristalina had declared after the IMF-World Bank Annual Meetings hosted by Thailand that Thai silk deeply impressed her. She had the opportunity to view exhibitions about Her Majesty Queen Sirikit, the Cultural Ambassador of Thai silk, expressing respect and admiration for Her Majesty and Thai culture. She intended to wear a Thai silk outfit daily throughout the week.
