At the Shangri-La Mactan hotel in Cebu, a critical diplomatic meeting took place as the Philippines, under its role as ASEAN chair, hosted trilateral discussions involving Thailand, Cambodia, and the Philippines. The talks commenced at 6pm local time, featuring Prime Minister and Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul of Thailand, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet, and Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. The primary agenda was to address ongoing issues between Thailand and Cambodia.
The initiative for the meeting came from the Philippines, leveraging its position as the current chair of ASEAN. This was confirmed by Rachada Dhanadirek, who serves as the spokesperson for the Thai Prime Minister’s Office. Following the conclusion of their discussions, the three leaders addressed the media in a press briefing. President Marcos, representing the ASEAN chair, spoke first, followed by Prime Minister Hun Manet of Cambodia, and lastly, Prime Minister Anutin of Thailand.
Prime Minister Anutin expressed gratitude to President Marcos for orchestrating the talks, emphasizing the significance of the discussions in fostering a constructive and forward-thinking dialogue with Cambodia. He described the exchanges as open and impactful, underlining the importance of such interactions in affirming a mutual commitment to dialogue and maintaining peace.
Highlighting the deep-rooted connections between Thailand and Cambodia, Prime Minister Anutin noted that the two nations share numerous ties across various dimensions. He cautioned against the detrimental effects of conflict, which he said brings suffering to everyone involved, and highlighted the essential value of peace between neighboring countries.
In conclusion, Prime Minister Anutin called for a joint effort to turn over a new leaf in the Thailand-Cambodia relationship. He emphasized that moving forward would require sincerity, good faith, and a collective determination to overcome existing challenges and pursue a peaceful future together.