JAKARTA, Indonedia — Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said Thailand’s push for a gradual re-engagement with Myanmar is beginning to show results, pointing to the recent visit by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) to detained former Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi as a positive development.
Speaking at the ASEAN Secretariat in Jakarta on Tuesday, Anutin outlined Thailand’s vision for ASEAN’s future, telling diplomats that the bloc must preserve its unity while responding more effectively to regional challenges. More than 100 ambassadors, permanent representatives and diplomats attended the address.
On Myanmar, Anutin reaffirmed that ASEAN’s Five-Point Consensus remains the bloc’s main framework for addressing the crisis, while arguing that the association should continue its policy of “calibrated re-engagement” with Myanmar’s authorities.
He said the approach seeks to keep dialogue channels open, maintain engagement with stakeholders and respond to realities on the ground while encouraging tangible progress.
“The approach appears to be moving in the right direction,” Anutin said, referring to Monday’s ICRC visit to Aung San Suu Kyi, which marked the first known access granted to the humanitarian organization since her detention. He said Thailand had consistently advocated for such engagement and hoped to see further positive developments.
Anutin said a peaceful and stable Myanmar was not only in Thailand’s national interest as a neighboring country but also essential to ASEAN unity and regional stability.
The prime minister also said Thailand and Cambodia had agreed to restore mutual trust and continue bilateral dialogue, adding that Thailand remained committed to resolving differences peacefully and in accordance with international law.
Beyond Myanmar, Anutin proposed three priorities for ASEAN: strengthening regionalism, building greater resilience against geopolitical and economic uncertainty, and ensuring the bloc delivers tangible benefits to its people.
He said ASEAN should reinforce supply chain, food and energy security, accelerate digital connectivity and deepen cooperation with middle powers and countries in the Global South to preserve the region’s strategic autonomy.
Anutin noted that his speech at the ASEAN Secretariat was the first by a Thai prime minister in 17 years. He said ASEAN’s 60th anniversary next year would provide an opportunity to chart a new course for the regional bloc, with Thailand ready to play a leading role.
