Thailand's new government, led by Paetongtarn Shinawatra, will focus on addressing cross-border challenges with a people-centered approach, said Thai Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampongsa on Thursday. He called for collective efforts from neighboring countries and China to tackle these issues.
"Thailand is pursuing diplomacy for the benefit of its people, and we are prioritizing the fight against illegal drug trade, water management, call center scams, air pollution, and transnational crime," Maris said during a press briefing. He stressed that these problems have a direct impact on the well-being and quality of life of the Thai population but cannot be resolved by any single country alone; they require cooperation.
"I have visited affected local areas, observed the problems firsthand, and learned about the actual needs of impacted communities," Maris said, urging for joint efforts and international collaboration with China, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, and Vietnam to address these cross-border challenges.
Last month, during a meeting with these countries, which coincided with the Lancang-Mekong Cooperation framework, Thailand took the lead in pushing for solutions to air pollution, water management, and cross-border crime. The meeting identified these issues as urgent, with all five countries expressing their readiness to work together with Thailand for long-term, practical results.
"The narcotics issue is of critical concern to the prime minister and has been a priority for Thailand in its engagements with Mekong countries, particularly Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia, and China," Maris added. He highlighted that the drug problem poses a significant threat to the well-being of future generations.
Maris noted that the management of the Mekong River, particularly the impact of flooding on communities living along its banks, is another critical issue on which Thailand has recently engaged with China and Laos.
"I also recently discussed with Myanmar the importance of close cooperation to alleviate the suffering of communities on both sides affected by flooding and to ensure effective and sustainable water management," he added.
Maris pointed out that air pollution, which poses health risks not only in Thailand but also in neighboring countries, is among the top priorities for the new government. Thailand ranks as one of the most polluted countries in Southeast Asia, coming in fourth worst in the region, according to research conducted by the Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago.
"In terms of clean air, we must first engage in key discussions before we can collaboratively monitor forest fires and the spread of smog. The ministry will continue to advocate for the public's interests, aiming for collective solutions to these issues," Maris stated.
As Thailand's new government officially begins its work, Maris emphasized that the ministry will carry on with tangible actions and build upon the foundations established by the previous administration.
"Our foreign policy has been, and will continue to be, based on two main approaches: first, we will promote diplomacy for the people, and second, we will engage in proactive economic diplomacy. Key countries and partners are already taking note of Thailand’s active role," he added.
On Thursday, Maris also announced that Thailand aims to facilitate cross-border travel for tourists from six countries in the region through a single visa policy called "Six Countries, One Destination," positioning Thailand as a regional tourism hub.
"We will expedite negotiations with five other ASEAN countries—Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Vietnam, and Malaysia—to implement this policy. This will significantly simplify travel, encouraging more tourists to visit the region and contribute to our economy," Maris said, noting that this initiative will also align closely with regional connectivity projects, such as the Thailand-Laos-China railway.