Thailand and the Philippines have committed to strengthening their partnership across key areas including trade, investment, tourism, and regional security following a bilateral meeting between Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra and Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
The meeting took place on May 26 in Kuala Lumpur on the sidelines of the 46th ASEAN Summit, where both leaders discussed a shared interest in enhancing economic cooperation and fostering closer ties between their nations.
Thailand signaled its readiness to expand agricultural exports to the Philippines, while President Marcos encouraged increased Thai investment in sectors such as agriculture and energy—areas seen as vital to the Philippines’ economic development.
The two leaders also highlighted the importance of revitalizing tourism in the post-pandemic era. They agreed to collaborate on promotional campaigns and boost two-way travel to support recovery in both countries’ tourism sectors and reinforce cultural exchanges.
Security cooperation was another key focus. Both sides pledged to step up joint actions against transnational crimes, particularly targeting online fraud and human trafficking. They also underscored the need for continued ASEAN unity in confronting regional and global economic challenges.
Prime Minister Paetongtarn accepted President Marcos’ invitation to make an official visit to the Philippines at a later date, with the aim of further advancing bilateral relations and exploring additional areas of cooperation.
