Speaking on the main stage at Reuters NEXT Asia 2026, Thailand’s Vice Minister of Finance, Dr. Santitarn Sathirathai, outlined the country’s strategy for navigating geopolitical challenges while strengthening its position as a trusted economic partner in Southeast Asia.
Thailand’s Vice Minister of Finance, Dr. Santitarn Sathirathai, took centre stage at Reuters NEXT Asia 2026 in Singapore on 9 July 2026, where he joined regional policymakers, business leaders and media representatives to discuss the evolving global economic landscape. Held at the PARKROYAL COLLECTION Pickering, the international conference attracted more than 400 participants from across the region. Joining the Vice Minister at the event were H.E. Mrs. Waraphannee Damrongmanee, Ambassador of Thailand to Singapore, together with senior executives and officials from Thailand’s Fiscal Policy Office and the Export-Import Bank of Thailand (EXIM Bank).
Dr. Santitarn participated in the opening main stage session in a fireside chat with Reuters Executive Editor, Simon Robinson. During the discussion, he shared Thailand’s vision for navigating an increasingly complex international environment shaped by geopolitical competition among major powers and ongoing conflicts in the Middle East. He highlighted the importance of maintaining economic resilience while enhancing Thailand’s role as a trusted partner for international trade and investment.
The Vice Minister also outlined the country’s broader strategy to position Thailand as a regional hub for sustainable economic growth. Emphasising stability, openness and international cooperation, he discussed how Thailand aims to strengthen its competitiveness while fostering deeper economic partnerships across Southeast Asia and beyond.
Ahead of the conference, on 8 July 2026, Ambassador Waraphannee Damrongmanee welcomed Dr. Santitarn and his delegation to discuss opportunities to further enhance Thailand–Singapore economic cooperation. Their meeting focused on expanding bilateral trade and investment, as well as exchanging views on government policies that support sustainable economic development and prepare Thailand to address the challenges of an increasingly dynamic global economy.
The Vice Minister’s participation at Reuters NEXT Asia 2026 reflects Thailand’s continued commitment to engaging with regional and international stakeholders, reinforcing investor confidence and promoting collaborative approaches to sustainable growth in an era of global uncertainty.
Source: Royal Thai Embassy in Singapore
