Natthaphong Raises Three Public Agendas for PM to Showcase Thailand's Leadership at ASEAN Summit on Border and Energy Issues
Pheu Thai MP Natthaphong urges PM Anutin to champion three agendas at the ASEAN Summit in the Philippines: resolving Thailand-Cambodia maritime disputes through bilateral talks, addressing regional energy security through cross-border grid
On May 7, 2025, Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut, list-system MP and Pheu Thai Party leader, posted a message titled "Three Public Agendas PM Anutin Must Boldly Present Thailand's Leadership Role at the ASEAN Summit." Before the Prime Minister travels to attend the 48th ASEAN Summit in the Philippines between May 7-9, 2025, he wants to offer recommendations to PM Anutin as head of Thailand's government delegation regarding Thailand's diplomatic role and importance amid significant challenges in an era of great power competition, with Southeast Asia as one of the critical battlegrounds. However, Thailand's role in ASEAN has declined, as has ASEAN's clout as a regional negotiating power. Today we face critical issues that affect not just Thailand, but the economies and security of nations throughout ASEAN. The key challenge for Thai leadership is to reverse Thailand's international role. If the government has the political will and courage to assume a leadership position, Natthaphong proposes three agendas where the PM can use the ASEAN platform to resolve problems: the maritime boundary dispute between Thailand and Cambodia, the energy crisis, and environmental issues.
On the first issue of resolving the overlapping maritime claims between Thailand and Cambodia, Pheu Thai believes the Cabinet's decision to rescind MOU 44 poses risks to Thailand's image on the world stage. The party views MOU 44 as potentially beneficial in protecting Thai interests. However, with the Cabinet's May 5 decision to rescind it, and the PM's potential meeting with Cambodia's premier, Natthaphong sees a crucial opportunity to reach resolution through bilateral negotiations where Thailand can control the pace—the best way to protect national interests rather than submitting the dispute to UNCLOS's binding arbitration process, which would involve third parties and make outcomes unpredictable.
On the energy crisis, the Middle East conflicts have caused significant global energy price volatility, directly impacting energy costs and living expenses for Thai citizens. This challenge affects not only Thailand but the entire ASEAN region, especially countries dependent on energy imports, making them vulnerable to global fluctuations.
During such challenges, ASEAN member states must collaborate through pushing cross-border electricity grid connectivity. Thailand should lead efforts to realize the ASEAN Power Grid concretely, reducing dependence on energy imports from outside the region. Such connectivity not only improves energy management efficiency and reduces external risks but opens new investment opportunities at the regional level. Thailand possesses strategic advantages in geography as a central hub and infrastructure readiness to drive this grid's success.
