Thai PM supports Malaysia’s ASEAN 2025 chairmanship

PUTRAJAYA: Thailand’s Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra today expressed her support for Malaysia's role as ASEAN chair in 2025.

Paetongtarn also expressed hope that Malaysia and Thailand can work together for the good of both countries and ASEAN as a whole.

"I'm committed to maintaining the dynamics of our relationship and our efforts towards common peace and prosperity," she said during a joint press conference today, following her two-day visit to Malaysia at the invitation of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

Both countries share a similar position on the inclusion of Timor-Leste in ASEAN, with both committing to support its accession as a full member. "I thank PM Paetongtarn for her unwavering support for Malaysia's ASEAN chairmanship," Anwar said. Anwar said both leaders are working together to ensure some of the conditions imposed on Timor-Leste are met before the initial meeting of ASEAN at the end of May. He also shared both country's commitments to bolster intra-ASEAN trade. Malaysia and Thailand, he said, aim to facilitate efficient, seamless movement of goods within the region.

Paetongtarn is here for the 7th Annual Consultation (AC) in conjunction with her first official visit since assuming office in August 2024.

Anwar said the AC is timely, looking at the excellent progress in bilateral relationships and cooperation between Malaysia and Thailand since the last AC in 2016.

-- BERNAMA