The recent intensification of diplomatic activity surrounding the 47th ASEAN Summit, culminating in Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs Mrs. Eksiri Pintaruchi’s participation in key meetings in Port Dickson, Malaysia (September 9-11, 2025), underscores a deliberate and, some analysts suggest, increasingly complex strategy within Thailand’s foreign policy framework. This engagement reflects a significant shift in ASEAN’s external relationships, particularly concerning security concerns and the broader implications for regional stability – a reality driven by evolving geopolitical tensions and the expanding influence of non-traditional security challenges.
The core of Thailand’s efforts during these meetings centered on preparing for the ASEAN Summit, which aimed to solidify the organization’s role in addressing key issues like Timor-Leste’s potential accession, navigating applications for membership in the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation (TAC), and furthering the Complementarities Initiative 2.0. This initiative, designed to align ASEAN’s Community Vision 2045 with the United Nations’ 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, reveals a commitment to multilateralism – a stance increasingly valued as the United States and China vie for influence within the region. “Thailand’s focus is less on picking sides and more on preserving ASEAN’s centrality,” explains Dr. Anya Sharma, a Senior Research Fellow specializing in Southeast Asian political economy at the Institute for Strategic Studies. “The TAC applications, for example, are being scrutinized with a careful eye toward maintaining the principle of non-interference, while acknowledging the legitimate security interests of potential members.”
Stakeholder Analysis and Motivating Factors
Mrs. Pintaruchi’s bilateral meetings were strategically selected, representing a delicate balancing act. Engaging with Deputy Secretary Michelle Chan of the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade highlighted Thailand’s continued commitment to its longstanding security partnership, particularly in countering maritime security threats – a key area where Australia offers significant support. Similarly, the discussions with U.S. Bureau Official Kevin Kim and Japanese Senior Deputy Minister Namazu Hiroyuki reflected Thailand’s need to maintain robust diplomatic and economic ties with major global powers. The encounter with People’s Republic of China Special Envoy Deng Xijun, a particularly crucial meeting, underscored Thailand’s recognition of China’s growing economic power and its importance as a dialogue partner, while simultaneously emphasizing the need for responsible behavior within the South China Sea.
The expansion of ASEAN’s network isn’t solely driven by economic considerations. The ongoing instability in Myanmar, following the 2021 coup, continues to profoundly shape Thailand’s foreign policy. While officially adhering to ASEAN’s principle of non-interference, Bangkok has engaged in behind-the-scenes diplomacy, attempting to mediate a resolution to the conflict and coordinate humanitarian assistance. This has faced considerable headwinds, with some member states expressing frustration with the pace of progress and the perceived lack of decisive action from ASEAN.
Shifting Security Dynamics and the ARF Revitalization
A significant portion of the meetings revolved around the revitalisation of the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF), a framework for political and security cooperation established in 1997. With concerns rising over the South China Sea dispute, and increasingly assertive Chinese naval activity, Thailand, alongside other ASEAN members, is advocating for a stronger role for the ARF in facilitating dialogue and promoting confidence-building measures. “The ARF’s relevance is being tested,” notes Professor Ben Carter, a leading expert on Asian security at Cambridge University. “The challenge is to ensure the ARF moves beyond simply discussing problems and actually delivers tangible outcomes, perhaps through increased maritime domain awareness efforts or joint naval exercises.”
Recent data from the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) indicates a demonstrable increase in defense spending by Southeast Asian nations, correlating with heightened security concerns. This trend, coupled with the ARF’s limitations, is pushing Thailand to explore alternative mechanisms for regional security cooperation, including potentially expanded partnerships with nations like India. The coming six months will be crucial in determining whether ASEAN can effectively navigate these challenges and solidify its position as a cornerstone of regional stability. Long-term, the region’s geopolitical trajectory – and Thailand’s place within it – will hinge on its ability to maintain a nuanced, pragmatic approach, balancing competing interests and fostering a collective security architecture that reflects the evolving reality of 2025.