Paetongtarn ready to host ASEAN meeting to resolve Myanmar crisis
Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has proposed Thailand as a venue for a meeting of ASEAN members in December to explore peaceful solutions to the ongoing crisis in Myanmar, government spokesman Jirayu Huangsap said on Saturday.
Speaking on a Radio Authority of Thailand programme, Jirayu summarised the PM's recent diplomatic mission to Laos, where she attended the ASEAN Leaders' Summit from 8-11 October as well as bilateral meetings with the host nation. The summit notably welcomed Timor-Leste as the newest member of the Southeast Asian bloc.
During her official visit, Prime Minister Paetongtarn engaged in bilateral talks with her Laotian counterpart and senior government officials. Discussions centred on transnational issues such as air pollution and drug trafficking, as well as strategies to mitigate flooding along the Mekong River, Jirayu said.
The PM had a hectic schedule, taking part in the 44th and 45th ASEAN Leaders' Summits, alongside more than 20 meetings with regional leaders. These included meetings with China, South Korea, and Japan, celebrating milestones in their respective relationships with ASEAN.
In a series of bilateral discussions, Paetongtarn also introduced herself to leaders from 12 countries – Brunei, Cambodia, Malaysia, Singapore, Vietnam, China, South Korea, Japan, India, Australia, New Zealand, and Canada.
She also met with the US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Klaus Schwab, founder and executive chairman of the World Economic Forum, who extended an invitation to her for the WEF meeting in Davos, Switzerland, in 2025.
Jirayu highlighted Thailand's successful promotion of economic cooperation during the summit. The PM called for increased flight connections among ASEAN nations and the extension of visa exemption periods to boost regional tourism.
The spokesman noted that Thailand and its dialogue partners agreed to collaborate closely on addressing transnational crimes, particularly drug smuggling and call-centre scams. They also discussed disaster response, water management, and tackling air pollution, including PM2.5 particulate matter.
On the final day of the summit, Paetongtarn reaffirmed Thailand's commitment to regional peace, offering to host a meeting of ASEAN member states in December to advance efforts towards a peaceful resolution of the Myanmar situation, the spokesman said.
The four-day summit was highly successful, garnering significant attention from international media and partner countries, Jirayu said. The discussions are expected to yield concrete benefits for the people of ASEAN, with Malaysia set to host the 46th ASEAN Summit next year.
