Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sihasak Phuangketkeow stated that, as a reliable partner and responsible member of the United Nations, Thailand stands ready to work with all member states to ensure that the UN remains credible, relevant, and capable of delivering peace, development, and respect for human rights.

In his statement delivered at the UN Security Council Open Debate on 26 May 2026 at the Security Council Chamber in New York, the Deputy Prime Minister said, “Eighty years ago, when the United Nations was created from the ashes of the Second World War, its founders understood a profound lesson that when competition among nations is left completely unchecked, eventually everyone becomes less secure – including the powerful. 

“That is why they built an international system grounded not in power, but in rules. And not only in national interests, but in the understanding that cooperation ultimately serves everyone’s interests. Today, the challenge lies not just in conflicts and instability, but in the gradual erosion of confidence in the international system with the United Nations at its core. 

“When ‘might makes right’ and transactional calculations replace established rules and principles, trust begins to weaken. And slowly but surely, the foundations of international order begin to crack. 

“In reality, respect for international law and Charter must not be simply rhetoric nor a means of seeking unilateral gains. Ultimately, it is trust and confidence and good faith that matter, and that lead to peaceful solutions and lasting end to conflicts.”

The Deputy Prime Minister said that Thailand firmly believes that the United Nations must remain the cornerstone of the international system and the foundation of global order and multilateralism. He also urged Member States to focus on three practical approaches.

First, Member States must demonstrate stronger collective responsibility by exercising restraint and upholding the rules and principles that underpin international peace and security. “Thailand continues to be in full support of the role of the UN. We have therefore contributed to humanitarian assistance, sustainable development, food security, and human security, including combatting online scams,”

Second, he said that Member States must reform and strengthen multilateral institutions. “Thailand supports meaningful and forward-looking UN reform to ensure that it remains agile, effective, resilient, and responsive to the multi-faceted challenges, 

Third, Member States should recognize that strong regionalism and mini-lateral cooperation can reinforce multilateralism. Smaller, flexible and issue-based cooperation can often deliver practical and tangible outcomes more effectively. “In our region, ASEAN’s experiences have shown that regional cooperation can reduce tensions, strengthen resilience, and preserve dialogue even during periods of wider geopolitical uncertainty,” he said.

Concerning Thailand-Cambodia relations, the Deputy Prime Minister pointed out that Thailand is committed fully to the ceasefire between Thailand and Cambodia and going beyond the ceasefire towards sustainable peace. “But an enduring peace requires us to build trust and work in good faith so that we can turn a new page based on respect for international law and the UN charter.”

He also repeated that Thailand does not seek any claims on the territory of any country.