KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 25 — Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul is “very likely” to attend the 47th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits, according to the country’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA).
Director-General of the Department of Information and MFA spokesperson, Nikorndej Balankura, said Anutin is expected to arrive either late tonight or early tomorrow morning.
“He is very likely to be here. We are working out his schedule right now as we speak. He might arrive very late tonight or tomorrow, only just before the signing (of the joint declaration between Thailand-Cambodia), and he has to rush back to Thailand to attend the ceremony of the Queen Mother.
“So it’s yet to be finalised, but more likely than not, he should be here in time for the signing,” he said in a press conference here today.
On the signing of the joint declaration, Nikorndej said Thailand expressed appreciation for the role played by United States President Donald Trump and Malaysia’s Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim in supporting regional peace efforts.
“So we look forward to the signing ceremony of the joint declaration for Thailand and Cambodia relations tomorrow, having Mr President of the United States, Mr Trump, and Mr Anwar as witnesses,” he said.
Responding to a question on whether the signing ceremony would be rescheduled following the Queen Mother’s passing, Nikorndej said discussions are ongoing to move the event forward to allow the Thai Prime Minister to return to Bangkok in time for the royal procession.
“We’re working with the United States, Malaysia and Cambodia right now to move it forward to 12 noon if possible. It hasn’t been finalised, but we’re in the process of talking to both sides,” he said.
He added that Cambodia has agreed to the new proposed timing, while confirmation from the United States and Malaysia is still pending.
The joint declaration is expected to be signed at the 47th ASEAN Summit at about 2.30 pm tomorrow. It will outline measures for border de-escalation, landmine clearance and joint cooperation in combating transnational crime.
Thailand and Cambodia have been involved in a long-standing border dispute covering several undefined sections along their 817-kilometre shared boundary.
Tensions between the two countries flared in July following a five-day clash, which was later resolved after Malaysia successfully brokered a ceasefire on July 28.
