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Premiere in Kuala Lumpur: Thailand and new ASEAN members in focus!
Thailand's Prime Minister travels to Kuala Lumpur for the opening of the ASEAN Summit on October 26th. Topics: regional security, economic cooperation.
Premiere in Kuala Lumpur: Thailand and new ASEAN members in focus!
What's happening in Kuala Lumpur? Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul of Thailand has made his way to take part in the festive and discussion-filled days of the 47th ASEAN Summit. Anutin will arrive in the Malaysian capital on October 25, 2025, along with a high-profile delegation including General Natthaphon Narkphanit, the Defense Minister, and Traisuree Traisaranakul, the Secretary-General of the Prime Minister's Office. After a flight from Don Mueang Airport in Bangkok, he will land at 9:30 p.m. local time and will be received by Malaysia's Defense Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin. According to Nation Thailand, the summit will start with an opening ceremony on October 26, which will also announce the admission of Timor-Leste as a full member of ASEAN.
What's on the agenda? The summit promises to promote heated discussions, with a focus on regional security, economic resilience and maritime disputes. Malaysia's Foreign Minister Mohamad Hasan warned that the scope for neutrality in the region is shrinking amid growing rivalries between major powers. This summit will also be a prestige project, as Donald Trump, the former President of the USA, is expected again after many years. Trump will launch new trade deals and meet with interlocutors on issues such as the Palestinian issue, while security in Kuala Lumpur has been stepped up to accommodate planned protests against his visit.
A new player in ASEAN
East Timor, which has been working towards membership in ASEAN since 2011, will now officially become part of the bloc. This is seen as a symbol of regional inclusivity. Membership will give East Timor access to free trade agreements and investment opportunities, which is of great importance for the small country. This marks the first time in 26 years that a new member has been admitted, a move that many see as a necessary expansion of the ASEAN region. While the meeting discusses political tensions, the issues surrounding the civil war in Myanmar and tensions in the South China Sea are also highly relevant.
What's next? In the two days following the summit, high-level talks are expected with partner countries such as China, Japan, India, Australia, Russia and South Korea. Particular attention will be paid to the situation in Myanmar, which remains under pressure following a military coup in 2021 and is excluded from the summits due to its worrying human rights situation. Against the backdrop of these critical issues, the separate summit of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) will also celebrate its premiere since 2020.
It remains to be seen how the talks will go and what specific measures will be implemented. Anwar Ibrahim, the Prime Minister of Malaysia, has already stated that peaceful demonstrations will be allowed during the summit, but it is clear that all meetings should run smoothly. It is clear that despite internal and external challenges, ASEAN countries are trying to find a common path towards peace and cooperation.