PM: Thailand backs UN reform, peaceful approach to Cambodia dispute
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has reaffirmed Thailand's neutral stance and called for reform of the United Nations to ensure all countries have an equal right to participate in shaping the future of the…
Source: Bangkok Post Most Recent · September 25, 2026 at 11:02 AM · AI-assisted report
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NEW YORK, 25 SEPTEMBER 2026 —
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, who also serves as Thailand’s interior minister, reaffirmed the kingdom’s neutral stance and urged reform of the United Nations to guarantee equal participation for all states during his address to the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA81) at the UN headquarters in New York on Thursday.
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Speaking at 5.30 p.m. local time, Mr Anutin delivered Thailand’s national statement under the theme “Restoring Trust, Managing Transformation: A United Nations that Delivers for All” as the United Nations marked its 80th anniversary. He warned that confidence in the multilateral system must be rebuilt, beginning with the cultivation of trust between nations through cooperation and sincerity rather than coercion.
The prime minister said the world “needs to restore confidence in the multilateral system, beginning with the building of trust between nations through cooperation and sincerity rather than coercion.”
The Thai leader called for a comprehensive overhaul of the UN to ensure that every country enjoys an equal right to shape the future of the international community. He proposed that reform start with smaller groups of countries, allowing those that have previously lacked a platform to have their voices heard and to avoid being left behind, before expanding cooperation more broadly.
“An international order based on rules, together with the participation of all countries in shaping our shared future, will be to restoring trust,” Mr Anutin said.
In outlining Thailand’s conception of peace, the prime minister stressed that peace entails more than the mere absence of war. He asserted that genuine peace must also involve constructive cooperation, respect for the law and the creation of security that truly benefits people. “Peace means more than simply the absence of war. It must also involve constructive cooperation, respect for the law and the creation of security that genuinely benefits people,” he said.
Regarding the long‑standing border dispute with Cambodia, Mr Anutin said Thailand has chosen bilateral negotiations and mechanisms under international law to resolve the issue peacefully. He clarified that proceedings under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) are confined to maritime boundary delimitation and do not affect Thailand’s sovereignty over its land territory.
“Proceedings under UNCLOS are limited to maritime boundary delimitation and have no bearing on Thailand’s sovereignty over its land territory,” the prime minister explained.
The address also touched on the situations in Palestine and Myanmar, where Thailand reaffirmed its support for peace, reconciliation and constructive approaches to conflict resolution. Mr Anutin added that Thailand is prepared to cooperate with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) to prevent and suppress drug trafficking, transnational crime and cybercrime.
“Thailand is ready to work with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime to prevent and suppress drug trafficking, transnational crime and cybercrime,” he said.
Concluding his speech, the prime minister called on all nations to work together to translate trust into tangible outcomes for peoples worldwide. He finished amid applause from delegates, with representatives from several countries offering their congratulations. “We call on all countries to work together to turn trust into tangible outcomes for the people,” Mr Anutin said, underscoring Thailand’s commitment to a rule‑based international order and to a United Nations that delivers for all.