Anutin Heads to Philippines for ASEAN Summit, Set to Meet Hun Manet for First Time After MOU44 Cancellation
PM Anutin heads to the Philippines for the ASEAN Summit, where he will meet Cambodian PM Hun Manet for the first time since Thailand canceled the controversial MOU44 agreement. The May 7-9 summit in Cebu will address regional security, ener
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul will depart for the Philippines tomorrow to underscore Thailand's pivotal role in the ASEAN forum as a cooperation bridge amid volatile global conditions, with a notable first meeting with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet following the cancellation of MOU44. Government spokesman Ratchada Thanadirek revealed on May 6, 2025, that the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister are preparing to leverage the 48th ASEAN Summit, taking place May 7-9 in Cebu, Philippines, to connect ASEAN's concrete outcomes with the interests of Thai citizens.
The government spokesman stated that participation in the summit operates under the core theme "Navigating Our Future, Together," with leaders and senior representatives from ASEAN member states attending, including King Hassanal Bolkiah of Brunei Darussalam, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet, Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, Laotian Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., Singaporean Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, Timorese Prime Minister Kai Rala Xanana Gusmão, Vietnamese Prime Minister Lê Minh Hưng, ASEAN Secretary-General Kao Kim Hooun, Myanmar's representative, and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) as presidential guest.
The summit convenes amid global volatility stemming from conflicts across multiple regions, geopolitical pressures, economic challenges, and security concerns, requiring ASEAN to confront significant impacts. This ASEAN Summit represents a "pivotal forum defining the region's future direction," linking regional cooperation to the lives of citizens across member nations. Discussions will address responses to Middle East developments, energy and food security, ASEAN citizen safety, collaborative responses to emerging challenges, ASEAN's adaptation to rapid global change, and strengthening ASEAN's global standing.
The government spokesman noted that Thailand stands ready to elevate its role as a "cooperation bridge," emphasizing key issues including energy security, sustainable food access, and regional citizen safety. The Prime Minister will also utilize this opportunity for both multilateral and bilateral discussions, employing diplomatic approaches that maintain balanced relationships while producing concrete outcomes across economic, security, and transboundary challenge dimensions.
Media reports indicate that during this ASEAN Summit visit, Prime Minister Anutin and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet will meet face-to-face for the first time following a ceasefire lasting over four months. Thailand's cabinet passed a resolution canceling MOU44 on May 5, 2025.
