- All government offices, state enterprises, and educational institutions will lower the national flag to half-mast for 15 days, starting from 12 June 2026 onward.

- Government officials, state enterprise employees, and state personnel will observe a 15-day mourning period from 12 June 2026 onward by wearing proper mourning attire (black and/or white).

- The display of the royal portrait of Her Royal Highness should be considered as appropriate, and the portrait can be downloaded from the Government Public Relations Department’s website, www.prd.go.th .

- In organizing activities in accordance with traditional practices or on important occasions, organizers are encouraged to exercise discretion, and formats of activities might be adjusted appropriately to reflect the national atmosphere of mourning.

- As for the private sector and the general public, they are requested to fly the national flag at half-mast for 15 days, starting from 12 June 2026 onward, and to use their own discretion regarding mourning dress and duration.

In the announcement, all government offices, state enterprises, and educational institutions have been instructed to lower the national flag to half-mast for 15 days, starting from 12 June 2026 onward.

Government officials and employees, as well as state enterprise employees, have been told to observe a 15-day mourning period, starting from 12 June 2026 onward. As for the general public, they may consider whether to do so.

Government Spokesperson Rachada Dhnadirek said that the Cabinet held a special meeting on 12 June on the passing of Her Royal Highness Princess Bajrakitiyabha. Before the meeting, Cabinet members stood in a moment of silence in remembrance of the Princess.

She said that, during the mourning period, entertainment events are not prohibited, and everyone can live their lives as usual. The National Commission on the Royal Cremation of Her Royal Highness, chaired by the Prime Minister, will be formed. Committees responsible for various tasks for the organizing of the Royal Cremation Ceremony will also be established.

The Ministry of Culture was tasked with designing the Royal Crematorium and the forms of related ceremonies. The Ministry of Interior and the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration were assigned to arrange activities in dedication to Her Royal Highness, so that members of the public would participate in paying tribute to the Princess. The Government Public Relations Department was tasked with disseminating news and information on the life and work of Her Royal Highness.

As for the Ministry of Public Health, it was tasked with establishing emergency mobile medical units to ensure rapid, round-the-clock healthcare response. 

The Prime Minister will lead Cabinet members to participate in the funeral bathing ceremony for Her Royal Highness before her portrait at Sahathai Samakhom Pavilion in the Grand Palace on 13 June 2026 from 08.30 hr onward.

In his statement broadcast via the Television Pool of Thailand on 12 June 2026, the Prime Minister said that the Bureau of the Royal Household had officially announced that Her Royal Highness passed away on 11 June.

He noted that the news has brought profound sorrow and grief to Thai people throughout the Kingdom and that no words could fully convey the feelings of the Thai people for this great loss. The beloved Princess, endowed with compassion, exceptional ability, and exemplary conduct, was deeply revered by people from all walks of life as a model of selfless dedication.

With her firm determination, Her Royal Highness dedicated her strength and ingenuity to creating a society founded upon justice, equality, and human dignity. Her well-rounded abilities –- as a legal scholar, diplomat, and social worker – served as an enduring example, inspiring Thai people to believe in their own potential, strive for self-improvement, and use their knowledge for the benefit of society and the country.

Although Her Royal Highness, a source of pride for the Thai nation, has passed away, her benevolence toward the nation and the people, together with her aspirations and devotion will remain a lasting legacy for the Kingdom and generations of Thai people in the years ahead.

The Prime Minister invites all Thai people to show gratitude for Her Royal Highness’s gracious kindness by steadfastly practicing goodness, showing compassion toward one another, extending assistance to those less fortunate, and contributing to society, in order to offer moral support to His Majesty the King and all members of the Royal Family during this period of mourning.

The draft Thailand-Bhutan FTA was signed in December 2025, after the Thailand-Bhutan Joint Trade Committee at the ministerial level had concluded negotiations on the FTA, aimed at liberalizing and facilitating trade, reducing trade barriers, and promoting economic cooperation and other related issues between the two countries. 

The FTA also covers Bhutan's Gelephu Mindfulness City, a new special administrative and economic zone, and it will establish clear, mutually beneficial trade rules, while serving as a major mechanism to advance bilateral trade in the long run.

Thailand and Bhutan have set a target for the enforcement of the FTA by 1 January 2027. As for market access, Bhutan will exempt customs duties on Thai products up to 99.8 percent of all product items. Thailand will open its market to Bhutanese products covering 94 percent of product items.

Thai goods that are expected to benefit from more exports to Bhutan include automobiles and automotive parts, textiles, garments, chemicals, rubber and plastic products, and electrical appliances. They also cover agricultural and food products, such as dried fruit, fruit juices, instant noodles, and processed foods. In addition, Thai entrepreneurs will have more alternative sources of raw materials from Bhutan, including minerals, cordyceps, matsutake mushrooms, and temperate-climate fruits, such as apples.

Based on economic impact studies, the Thailand–Bhutan FTA is expected to increase Thailand’s economic growth by between 0.02 and 0.03 percent a year, or about 4.13-4.34 billion baht. Thai exports to Bhutan are likely to increase by 229-266 percent annually, or 12.4-14.4 billion baht. Foreign direct investment in Thailand is also expected to rise by 0.05-0.06 percent a year, or about 1.79-1.99 billion baht. 

In this regard, although the Government would lose customs revenue of 215,696 baht per year, the economic benefits to Thailand are expected to far outweigh the revenue loss.

The Cabinet was told that the Thailand–Bhutan FTA marked a significant step for the expansion of Thai exports to South Asia, while creating new opportunities for Thai entrepreneurs, enhancing Thailand’s competitiveness, and strengthening Thai-Bhutanese relations.

According to the Thailand Chess Association, the upcoming ASEAN E-sports Chess Cup 2026 will bring together 11 leading chess players representing Southeast Asian countries, alongside international players from Europe and the Middle East. Among the participants will be world No. 1 Magnus Carlsen from Norway and world No. 2 Fabiano Caruana from the United States.

Minister Attached to the Prime Minister’s Office Supamas Isarabhakdi on 10 June held a meeting with President of the Thailand Chess Association Sahapol Nakvanich on guidelines to promote international and digital chess sports in order to develop the potential of Thai youth and upgrade Thailand as a regional sports and digital innovation hub.

Minister Supamas said that the Government attaches great importance to promoting the country’s “soft power” and the digital economy. She pointed out that chess helps develop analytical thinking, strategic planning, decision-making, and concentration – the skills that are increasingly important for young people in the 21st century.

Minister Supamas said that the ASEAN E-sports Chess Cup 2026 would offer a good opportunity for Thai youth to learn from and compete alongside world-class players. The event would also demonstrate Thailand’s capabilities in personnel, technology, and digital infrastructure for moving toward becoming an ASEAN digital sports hub.

She tasked the Government Public Relations Department (PRD) with launching public relations campaigns for the tournament through its media platforms in order to increase public awareness and encourage youth participation. The campaigns will also help promote a favorable image of the country to the international stage.

The opening ceremony of the ASEAN E-sports Chess Cup 2026 will take place at 09.00 hr and the award presentation ceremony at 18.00 hr on 13 June.

The project was launched at the Central Hat Yai Shopping Complex in Songkhla Province on 6-8 June by the Government Public Relations Department (PRD), which had been assigned by the Government as a core agency in implementing the Thai Soft Power Fashion Project, in order to promote the value and identity of Thai fabrics on both local and global stages.

Minister Supamas said that the project was meant to honor and commemorate the royal grace of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit The Queen Mother, who preserved and revitalized Thai textiles from local wisdom as part of valuable cultural heritage. Her Majesty also promoted folk arts and crafts as a tool to generate employment and income, and sustainably improve the people’s quality of life.

Moreover, the project aims to carry on the royal aspirations of Her Majesty Queen Suthida Bajrasudhabimalalakshana, who frequently wears Thai fabrics while performing royal duties both in Thailand and abroad, showcasing Thailand's unique identity to the world at large. 

It is also intended to honor Her Royal Highness Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana Rajakanya for Her Royal Highness’s vital role in driving the "Fun with Thai Fabrics" project. By blending modern fashion knowledge with local wisdom, Her Royal Highness has successfully made Thai fabrics better known on the international fashion stage.   

Minister Supamas said that Her Royal Highness was the first person in the world to be presented with the title of “WIPO Ambassador for Fashion and Design” by the World Intellectual Property Organization in Geneva, Switzerland. In addition, Her Royal Highness had received the Grand Officier of the Légion d’honneur from the French Republic, reflecting the Princess’s expertise and prestige in international fashion and design.

Meanwhile, PRD Director-General Sudruetai Lertkasem stated that the Department supported the development of over 50 prototype contemporary Thai textile pieces, together with the designs of products made of natural materials, such as bags, shoes, and hats, from 10 model communities nationwide, including those in Songkhla and Surat Thani. This initiative is expected to increase the value of local community products and create economic opportunities for local residents.

In carrying out the 2026 Thai Soft Power Fashion Project, the Department recently launched its pilot event in Chiang Mai, followed by the event in Songkhla. It is preparing to continue this project in Udon Thani on 19–21 June 2026, before a grand event in Bangkok on 11-13 August 2026. Another objective is to integrate the wearing of Thai fabrics into daily lifestyles, expand market opportunities, and sustainably propel Thai soft power onto the global stage.

The Prime Minister on 6 June 2026 presided over the opening of the 15th "Celebration of Silk: Thai Silk Road to the World" at the Royal Thai Navy Convention Hall in Bangkok. Organized by the Ministry of Culture and public and private agencies, the event was intended to honor Her Majesty Queen Suthida Bajrasudhabimalalakshana on the occasion of Her Majesty’s fourth-cycle or 48th birthday anniversary, as well as paying tribute to Her Majesty Queen Sirikit The Queen Mother, who played a significant role in developing and promoting Thai silk. 

The grand opening featured an honorary fashion show in which members of the Cabinet, representatives from the Thai government, ambassadors and their spouses, and delegates from embassies and consulates, as well as international organizations in Thailand, wore exquisite Thai silk garments and traditional royal attire. All silk used in this event was sourced from the Foundation for the Promotion of Supplementary Occupations and Related Techniques (SUPPORT Foundation), established by the Queen Mother.

The event drew participation from 72 embassies and 18 honorary consulates, with ambassadors from 36 countries joining in the grand fashion show. Six cultural performances complemented the runway presentation, celebrating the richness and diversity of Thai heritage. Over 79 teams from educational institutions across the country also exhibited their work and took part in competitions, bringing together more than 1,000 fashion and textile students and lecturers.

This annual Thai silk fashion show also featured the award presentation ceremony for the 7th Next Big Silk Designer Contest 2026, recognizing young designers for their creativity and innovation in contemporary Thai silk fashion.

Prime Minister Anutin said that the renewed interest in wearing Thai textiles, especially among younger generations, was inspired by the royal initiative “Fun with Thai Fabrics” by Her Royal Highness Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana Rajakanya. He also praised the international success of Thai silk through the exhibition “La Mode en Majesté – Royal Thai Dress: From Tradition to Modernity,” held in Paris under the patronage of the Princess. 

The Prime Minister noted that Thai silk is a symbol of Thailand’s cultural identity and valuable wisdom, reflecting fine craftsmanship and skills passed down through generations. It also serves as a medium to tell stories of local ways of life, beliefs, and culture and arts through unique patterns, colors, and weaving techniques from different regions of the country. 

Interested persons may attend a silk exhibition featuring over 250 silk garments designed by students from various institutions nationwide, at the NEXT Hall on the 5th floor of Siam Paragon, from 9 to 14 June 2026. 

In attendance were 72 diplomats and representatives of international organizations in Thailand, representing 67 countries, the European Union, and two international organizations, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Regarding maritime issues between Thailand and Cambodia, the Deputy Prime Minister updated the diplomatic corps on Cambodia's decision to initiate compulsory conciliation proceedings under Annex V of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) concerning maritime delimitation between the two countries. He noted Cambodia’s public announcement was made prior to Thailand’s formal receipt of the notification instituting compulsory conciliation proceedings. The move is inconsistent with the spirit agreed by Thai and Cambodian leaders in Cebu during the 48th ASEAN Summit, as well as the discussion between the Deputy Prime Ministers and Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the two countries in New York, where both sides agreed to move forward constructively in rebuilding trust and discussions on maritime and land boundaries and border-related issues.

The Thai side also informed the Cambodian side of its decision to terminate the MOU 2001 because it had failed to produce any substantive progress over the last 25 years and promptly invited the Cambodian side to a bilateral discussion firmly based in international law, including the relevant principles under UNCLOS, to which Cambodia has recently become party.

Thailand does not agree with Cambodia’s reasoning that the termination of the MOU2001 meant that the Parties were left without a bilateral framework to discuss maritime delimitation as bilateral discussions can take place without the MOU2001. Therefore, Thailand is of the view that Cambodia's notification came before bilateral discussions were exhausted. Furthermore, while the notification specified Cambodia’s goal in these proceedings as including maritime boundary delimitation and provisional arrangements for joint development and equitable sharing of resources pending final delimitation, the Deputy Prime Minister emphasized that the scope of matters submitted to the Conciliation Commission should be limited to maritime boundary delimitation. 

In this regard, the Deputy Prime Minister stated that Thailand will have to reassess the implications this will have for proceeding with various bilateral issues with Cambodia. In any event, Thailand has undertaken all necessary preparations to engage in compulsory conciliation proceedings under UNCLOS.

The Deputy Prime Minister also provided an update on the latest developments in Myanmar, particularly ASEAN’s engagement with Myanmar. Thailand attaches great importance to making progress towards positive developments in Myanmar and the issue of formally returning Myanmar to ASEAN, as peace and prosperity in the region depend on ASEAN unity and centrality.

The four key pillars include Digital and AI Transformation for Inclusive and Resilient Growth; Opportunities for Middle Powers in a Fragmented World; Building a New Financial Architecture for Climate Adaptation; and Demographic Change and the Longevity Economy. 

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Ekniti Nitithanprapas on 4 June 2026 chaired a meeting of the National Committee on Preparations for the 2026 IMF-World Bank Meetings to discuss progress on policy substance, protocol and logistics arrangements, and public communication.

Mr. Ekniti stated that hosting this important event would provide a great opportunity for Thailand to play a vital role on the global economic stage and contribute to shaping international policy discussions through the four key pillars. 

He emphasized that success should be measured not only by the smooth organization of the event, but also by the lasting legacy and long-term benefits it creates for Thailand and its people.

Director-General of the Government Public Relations Department Sudruetai Lertkasem noted that the department is committed to disseminating news and information about the meetings widely through its extensive media networks and to encouraging public participation in welcoming delegates from around the world, fostering a sense of pride in Thailand’s role as host of this historic occasion.

The 2026 IMF-World Bank Meetings will take place from 12 to 18 October 2026 at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center in Bangkok. More than 15,000 participants from 191 countries, including finance ministers, central bank governors, international organizations, business leaders, academics, and civil society representatives, are expected to attend.

The event will be one of the world’s most important international economic and financial gatherings. It will also offer a good opportunity for Thailand to showcase its readiness, capabilities, and potential on the global stage.

1.Thailand has consistently conveyed to Cambodia that its termination of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU 2001) between Thailand and Cambodia regarding the area of their overlapping maritime claims to the continental shelf was necessary because it was no longer suited to the new context and therefore, it was the intention of the Thai side to initiate discussions anew which are not constrained by the bottlenecks of the previous approach, and which are based on international law and the principles of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) to which both countries are now party.

2. The Thai side also intended to advance toward a mutually beneficial path, while recognizing that resolving issues directly between neighboring countries is the best approach to achieving a constructive and mutually acceptable resolution.

3. However, Cambodia’s rushed decision to initiate compulsory conciliation proceedings under UNCLOS stands in stark contradiction to calls consistently made by Cambodia itself for a restoration of bilateral relations and a revival of discussions within various frameworks, including issues related to the land border between the two countries. This should be taken into consideration as such a decision may have repercussions and cause efforts to rebuild trust and confidence towards restoring bilateral relations to falter or stall.

4. Thailand is fully prepared to undertake all necessary actions in accordance with UNCLOS, placing the utmost importance on safeguarding the country’s interests. The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs is scheduled to meet with Thailand’s legal counsel to finalize Thailand’s list of conciliators and other preparations as anticipated by the Thai side.

5. Compulsory conciliation is one of the dispute settlement mechanisms provided for under UNCLOS. The outcome of the conciliation process takes the form of a report containing recommendations, which serves as a basis for the two parties to continue negotiations toward a mutually acceptable solution. Such report is not legally binding and the two parties must continue to discuss any outstanding issues directly among themselves.

6. The Thai public can rest assured that the Thai side is fully prepared to take the necessary actions and confident that it will be able to fully protect Thailand’s interests.

7. Finally, Thailand firmly rejects Cambodia’s unfounded allegations regarding encroachment and once again reaffirms the Thai side strictly adheres to the Joint Statement of the 3rd Special Meeting of the GBC between Thailand and Cambodia on 27 December 2025, which both countries have agreed on, to support de-escalation, maintain peace and security, and ensure the safety of the people.