BANGKOK — Thailand’s opposition parties have accused Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul of signing a controversial memorandum of understanding (MOU) on rare earth cooperation with U.S. President Donald Trump without prior consultation with Parliament or the public, warning that the deal could harm the environment and place Thailand at a disadvantage.
The MOU, signed in Kuala Lumpur on October 26, 2025, aims to strengthen cooperation between Thailand and the United States on developing and diversifying global supply chains for critical minerals and rare earths. The agreement was signed around the same time Washington concluded a similar deal with Malaysia.
Opposition Questions Secrecy and Oversight
Chanin Rungthanakiat, deputy spokesman for the Pheu Thai Party, said the government must explain why such a significant agreement was signed without notifying the legislature.
“The MOU on rare earths might or might not be beneficial, but two questions remain,” Chanin said. “First, former deputy prime minister Pichai Chunhavajira has said there were never prior negotiations with the U.S. on this matter. So when did Anutin’s government begin these talks, and were they handled carefully? Second, if the prime minister knew this MOU would be signed during his meeting with President Trump, why was there no communication with Parliament or the public? An issue of this magnitude deserves public debate before signing.”
MP Warns of Environmental and Strategic Risks
Phattarapong Leelaphat, a People’s Party MP for Chiang Mai, also criticized the government, saying the MOU heavily favors the U.S. and lacks environmental safeguards.
He questioned why the deal was not recorded in the Cabinet’s October 21 meeting summary and accused the Department of Primary Industry and Mines of lacking expertise in rare earth extraction.
Phattarapong warned that the agreement could allow U.S. investors priority access to Thailand’s mineral resources and information, with no clear protection against water contamination from mining activities. He added that the deal effectively turns Thailand into “a pawn in the rare earth war between China and the U.S.”
He called on the caretaker government to halt any rare earth mining projects and strengthen the Mineral Act to ensure environmental protection and prevent foreign exploitation.
Government Defends the Deal
Government spokesman Siripong Angkasakulkiat said Anutin signed the MOU to attract technology and investment that could help Thailand develop its own rare earth sector responsibly.
“Rare earths are valuable minerals that can improve manufacturing efficiency and product quality,” Siripong quoted the prime minister as saying. “The United States wants to participate in developing these resources, but Thailand lacks sufficient know-how. We must therefore seek technology and expertise.”
He added that the MOU is non-binding and subject to Thai law and good governance principles. “If, in the future, the MOU is deemed unbeneficial, either side can terminate it at any time,” Siripong said.
Global Context
The South China Morning Post reported that Washington’s deal with Thailand is part of a broader effort to reduce dependence on Chinese rare earths, following a similar agreement with Malaysia. The moves come after Beijing tightened export controls on rare earth materials and related technologies earlier this month amid an ongoing trade war with the U.S.
Analysts say the U.S. sees Southeast Asia as a promising alternative source for critical minerals vital to its automotive, defense, and high-tech industries.
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