Thailand and Malaysia have agreed to strengthen efforts in border management and cooperation in combatting issues related to transnational crimes through information and intelligence sharing, promoting moderation and exchanges of best practices in deradicalization programs.

The agreement was reached during the first official visit of Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra to Malaysia on 15-16 December 2024 to co-chair the 7th Annual Consultation with Prime Minister of Malaysia Dato’ Seri Anwar bin Ibrahim.

In a joint press statement, issued on 16 December 2024 in Putrajaya, both leaders underscored the importance of border cooperation to enhance economic cooperation and people-to-people ties, as well as strengthening border security. They acknowledged the importance of the Bukit Kayu Hitam - Sadao checkpoints as the busiest and largest economic, tourism, and transport gateway between Malaysia and Thailand. 

The two prime ministers welcomed the progress in the planning process of the Construction of the Second Bridge and the Upgrading of the Existing Bridge Linking Rantau Panjang, Kelantan, Malaysia and Su-ngai Kolok, Narathiwat, Thailand. Given that the bridge promotes connectivity and people-to-people exchanges between Malaysia and Thailand and serves as an important symbol of fraternal ties between the two countries, the leaders urged relevant authorities to commence the overall construction process so that it can be completed by the targeted date of the first quarter of 2027. 

In line with the shared aspirations to promote greater linkages as well as increasing cross-border flows of goods and passengers between Malaysia and Thailand and the overall region, the two prime ministers tasked the concerned agencies to advance the progress on the proposed integrated double-track rail link between Ipoh - Padang Besar and Padang Besar - Hat Yai and the high-speed rail alignment in both countries.

The Thai and Malaysian prime ministers tasked the relevant officials with working closer to achieve the bilateral trade target of USD30 billion by 2027. They also agreed to explore potential joint campaigns to co-promote Visit Malaysia 2026 and Amazing Thailand Grand Tourism Year 2025 initiatives.

At the sidelines of the 7th Annual Consultation, the two prime ministers witnessed the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Malaysian Rubber Board (MRB) and the Rubber Authority of Thailand on Rubber Industry Development and Economic Cooperation and the MOU between the Government of Malaysia and the Government of the Kingdom of Thailand on Culture, Arts, and Cultural Heritage Cooperation.