Thailand recently underscored its commitment to inclusive dialogue, regional cooperation, and a rules-based international order at the 22nd IISS Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore.
Represented by Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Phumtham Wechayachai, the Thai delegation delivered a multilayered message anchored in dialogue, historical diplomacy, and future-focused collaboration.
Promoting inclusive security through dialogue
In his keynote remarks under the session “Cross-Regional Security Interlinkages,” Minister Phumtham outlined Thailand’s vision for a modern, inclusive security framework. Stressing that geographic borders can no longer contain 21st-century threats, he called for a transition from militarized rivalry to cooperative resilience.
“Thailand firmly believes that true security in the modern era must be founded upon cooperation rather than military rivalry, through partnership rather than polarity or unilateral approaches to security. While the concept of cross-regional security interlinkages is frequently discussed in today’s world, its fundamental principles are not new,” Phumtham stated.
Referencing HM King Chulalongkorn the Great’s legacy of cross-regional diplomacy, he encouraged building partnerships that transcend political polarity and instead center on shared responsibility.
Thailand’s proposed framework hinges on three pillars:
- Political connectivity – fostering trust and mutual respect for sovereignty,
- Economic connectivity – advancing shared prosperity, and
- Security connectivity – effectively addressing transregional threats.
He further advocated for strengthened cooperation through ASEAN mechanisms like the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting (ADMM), enhanced infrastructure protection, and expanded military medical collaboration, highlighting Thailand’s readiness to provide support via the ASEAN Center of Military Medicine.
“As the host of the ASEAN Centre of Military Medicine, a key regional mechanism for humanitarian and medical cooperation, Thailand is prepared to work alongside Indo-Pacific and African countries to establish a lasting and robust network of collaboration in this important field,” he said.
Commitment to U.S. and ASEAN partnerships
On the sidelines, Thailand engaged in a series of bilateral and multilateral meetings. During discussions with U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth and Pete Ricketts, the Deputy Premier reaffirmed Thailand’s enduring partnership with the United States, underscored by nearly two centuries of bilateral ties and its status as a major non-NATO ally.
Talks touched on the success of joint initiatives like Cobra Gold 2025, plans to co-host the Indo-Pacific Chiefs of Defense Conference in August, and Thailand’s support for the upcoming ASEAN-U.S. Maritime Exercise this September.
During a session with other ASEAN defence ministers and U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Phumtham welcomed U.S. support for ASEAN centrality and emphasized shared efforts to build a stable Indo-Pacific, including disaster response, maritime security, and public health coordination through expert working groups.
As regional security grows increasingly complex, Thailand’s message at the Shangri-La Dialogue was clear: enduring peace lies not in competition, but in cooperation, trust, and inclusive dialogue.
Teerin Julsawad