BEIJING — Thailand and China have agreed to establish a new 2+2 security dialogue between their foreign and defence ministers, strengthening cooperation against transnational crime, including call centre scam networks, human trafficking and money laundering.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow announced the agreement on 20 July 2026 during an official visit to China with Prime Minister and Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul.
Speaking after talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping, Sihasak said both countries had agreed to establish the new ministerial-level security mechanism to enhance policy coordination and bilateral security cooperation. China has offered to host the inaugural meeting.
Sihasak said Thailand had placed the fight against call centre scam syndicates at the top of the agenda, with both sides agreeing to expand cooperation in law enforcement, anti-human trafficking operations, anti-money laundering efforts and intelligence sharing to combat transnational criminal networks.
He added that tackling scam operations and organised crime would require broader regional cooperation, particularly with Myanmar and Cambodia, to dismantle cross-border criminal networks more effectively.
Sihasak also raised concerns over grey businesses operating in Thailand, urging China to help address the issue.
He stressed that the Thai government welcomes only high-quality, sustainable investment and expects all foreign investors to fully comply with Thai law.
While describing grey businesses as a small proportion of overall Chinese investment in Thailand, Sihasak said illegal activities involving such operators could undermine public confidence and negatively affect Thai public sentiment.
“We want China to take the feelings of the Thai people into consideration,” he said, referring to the impact of illegal business activities on public confidence.
