Singapore Thailand leaders agree to deepen bilateral cooperation and further ASEAN coordination
Singapore Prime Minister and Minister for Finance Lawrence Wong and Thai Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Anutin Charnvirakul held the first Singapore-Thailand Leaders’ Retreat on 2 September 2026 in Bangkok, Thailand. The Leaders discussed bilateral relations and international developments, agreeing to advance cooperation in areas including the green and digital economies, artificial intelligence, energy resilience, connectivity, food security and transnational crime.
The retreat took place during Prime Minister Wong’s visit to Thailand and provided an opportunity for both Leaders to review existing cooperation and set future directions for the bilateral relationship. Their discussions were captured in the Joint Statement on the Singapore-Thailand “Forward-Looking Strategic Partnership”, which outlined priorities for closer cooperation and regional coordination.
Source: Facebook/Lawrence Wong
The Leaders agreed to deepen energy security cooperation, particularly in low-carbon energy, while supporting the development of the ASEAN Power Grid. They also welcomed progress under the 2025 Implementation Agreement on carbon credits collaboration and agreed to explore cooperation in carbon capture, utilisation and storage, hydrogen, low-carbon technologies and green finance.
On economic relations, Singapore and Thailand agreed to enhance bilateral trade and investment, value-chain integration and supply chain resilience. Thailand’s membership in the Future of Investment and Trade Partnership was welcomed, while both sides also committed to advancing food security cooperation and expediting implementation of the Memorandum of Cooperation on Rice Trade signed in November 2025.
The Leaders also agreed to expand cooperation in the digital economy and artificial intelligence, including AI governance, talent development and research and development. They welcomed continued financial connectivity through the PromptPay-PayNow linkage and supported its regional expansion through Nexus Global Payments.
Cooperation in air connectivity, cruise tourism, education, cultural exchanges, tourism and social development will also be pursued. A Memorandum of Understanding on social development cooperation was signed during the visit, with both sides agreeing to promote social protection and the well-being of families, children, women, older persons and persons with disabilities.
Defence and security cooperation will remain a key pillar, including joint exercises, maritime security, cybersecurity and defence industry cooperation. Singapore and Thailand also agreed to intensify efforts against transnational crime and online scams.
With Singapore and Thailand set to chair ASEAN in 2027 and 2028 respectively, the Leaders committed to close coordination on regional integration, connectivity, resilience and ASEAN’s external partnerships, while supporting an open, rules-based and inclusive ASEAN-centred regional architecture.
Source: MFA
