Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul delivered remarks at the ASEAN Future Forum 2026 under the theme “Shaping Our Future Together: Peace, Prosperity, People-Centered,” held on 9 June 2026 in Vietnam.

In his remarks, the Prime Minister said, “Today, as we can all see, much of the world is becoming more fragmented, more polarized, and more uncertain. Global trade patterns are shifting. Technology is progressing at a much more rapid pace than ever. Climate change is placing growing pressure on our economies and societies. Taken together, these developments are not simply another cycle of uncertainty. They point to a deeper transition in the regional and global order. For ASEAN, this presents both risks and opportunities.

“At a time when many regions are facing turbulence, ASEAN has the potential to become one of the most stable regions in the world. At a time when investment is searching for reliable destinations, ASEAN has the potential to become one of the world’s leading regions for growth, innovation, and opportunity.

“Whether we realize that potential will depend on the choices we make today. First, ASEAN must draw on its strategic advantage. For more than five decades, ASEAN’s success has been about our ability to align national interest with regional interest. This has been vital to ASEAN centrality, enabling ASEAN to be the anchor of peace and security in the region.  

“In an increasingly divided world, ASEAN’s value lies not in choosing sides, but in maintaining trust, preserving dialogue, and creating space for cooperation. ASEAN centrality remains essential because it allows our region to engage constructively with all partners while safeguarding our own interests.

“Second, ‘resilience’ must underpin future prosperity. This means more integration. Our first step dated back in 1992 when Thailand proposed AFTA. But much more needs to be done even today. Resilience also means leveraging on our strategic location at the crossroads of major sea lanes in the Indo-Pacific. We must therefore enhance our connectivity in all dimensions. An important dimension of connectivity is digital connectivity. Thailand looks forward to the signing of the ASEAN Digital Economy Framework Agreement this year to unlock the full potential of ASEAN’s digital economy.  

“At the heart of connectivity are vital sea lanes of transport and commerce. Recent developments in the Middle East, including in the Strait of Hormuz, have exposed the vulnerabilities of critical chokepoints, which have impacted maritime, food and energy security. 

“It is in this context that Thailand has pushed forward the idea of Land Bridge in Southern Thailand as an alternative route to safeguard against supply chain disruption.”

At the recent ASEAN Summit in Cebu, he said, “We extensively discussed the issue of food and energy security and how we can do more to assist each other. Thailand has offered to make jet fuels available to ASEAN friends given our excess capacity and to help other Member States in ensuring food security.

“Third, ASEAN must remain focused on delivering tangible benefits to its people. Ultimately, the success of ASEAN will not be measured by the number of meetings we hold or declarations we adopt. It will be measured by whether our peoples feel safer, more secure, and more optimistic about their future. This is particularly important for our younger generation, who will face both the opportunities and disruptions brought about by technological change, including AI.

“This requires stronger cooperation to address challenges that directly affect daily life, including online scams, cyber threats, public health risks, and natural disasters. It also requires continued investment in education, skills development, healthcare, and social protection so that our people are prepared for the opportunities and disruptions of the future economy.

  “As the world is changing rapidly, the question is whether ASEAN is prepared not only to manage the challenges ahead, but also to seize the opportunities they create. I believe we have what it takes to do so, because ASEAN enters this new era with something many regions increasingly lack: stability, connectivity, and trust.

“In today’s world, predictability and rules-based regional order have become a competitive advantage. And stability is not simply a security objective. It is an economic asset. It attracts investment, supports growth, and creates opportunities for our peoples. If we continue to strengthen these foundations, ASEAN will not only remain relevant. It can become one of the world’s most stable regions and one of the greatest regions of opportunity. Let me assure you, Thailand stands ready to work with all ASEAN Member States and partners to help realize that vision.

“Lastly, I wish to address the issue concerning relations between Thailand and Cambodia. Thailand and Cambodia are at an important crossroads. The decision we make today will have a bearing on the future course of our relations. We need to meet the challenges together to turn a new page in our ties. It is only through demonstrating political will and resolve that we can achieve peaceful and lasting solutions. There is no easy path. It will require trust and confidence, as well as dialogue in good faith.”