Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul will lead a delegation to attend the 49th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits on 15-17 November 2026 in Manila, the Philippines, at the invitation of the President of the Philippines as Chair of ASEAN, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The 49th ASEAN Summit will be held under the ASEAN Chairship 2026’s theme “Navigating Our Future, Together.” The Prime Minister will also participate in the Summits with external partners – namely China, Japan, the Republic of Korea, India, Australia, and the United Nations – as well as the ASEAN - U.S. Special Summit, the ASEAN Plus Three Summit, and the East Asia Summit – to discuss key issues for closer partnership, including regional peace and security, economic resilience, and human security. 

He will also join the ASEAN Leaders’ Interfaces with representatives from the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA), the ASEAN Business Advisory Council (ASEAN-BAC), and ASEAN Youth, to discuss the direction for advancing the ASEAN Community with each stakeholder.

On 14 November, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sihasak Phuangketkeowwill will attend the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, the ASEAN Political-Security Community Council Meeting, the ASEAN Coordinating Council Meeting, and the Extended Informal Consultation on the Implementation of the Five-Point Consensus. In these meetings, the Deputy Prime Minister’s primary focus will be on enhancing ASEAN’s capacity to adapt to and address challenges, with the aim of effectively promoting stability and security within the region.

Thailand aims to achieve the following key outcomes:

• Strengthen ASEAN's Role: Enhance ASEAN's ability to adapt to rapid changes, uphold ASEAN centrality, and maintain its leadership in shaping key issues with dialogue partners and the global community.

• Advance Three Core Priorities: Lay the groundwork for Thailand’s 2028 ASEAN Chairmanship (following Singapore in 2027) by focusing on:

1. Fostering unity through economic integration;

2. Building a resilient region;

3. Developing a people-centered ASEAN.

A major milestone in driving economic integration will be reached at this meeting: the signing of the ASEAN Digital Economy Framework Agreement (DEFA). Chaired by Thailand, the negotiating committee successfully concluded this agreement – the world’s first regional digital economy pact – which could expand ASEAN’s digital economy to US$2 trillion.