He said the country’s politics was now “moving in the right direction”, starting with efforts to restore stability under the new civilian government led by Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul of the Bhumjaithai Party.
Anutin is Thailand’s ninth prime minister since a military coup in 2006. The country has long been mired in political upheaval marked by coups, protests, and short-lived governments.
He took office in September after the Constitutional Court disqualified former prime minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra over an ethics breach involving a leaked call with Cambodian leader Hun Sen.
Sihasak said the government was now ready to take a more active role in addressing regional challenges, including the prolonged crisis in Myanmar, while deepening cooperation within Asean on security, trade and digital integration.
“We need to do more to get ourselves back on the regional and international stage.
“Due to our domestic politics in previous years, we’ve been preoccupied. But now, foreign policy must be the priority,” he told FMT while attending the 47th Asean summit.
Leading on Myanmar
Sihasak said Thailand hoped to be at the forefront of peace and reconciliation efforts in Myanmar once it stabilises relations with Cambodia.
The two countries signed a joint declaration at the summit on de-escalation, mine clearance and transnational crime.
He cautioned that the junta’s planned elections in Myanmar must be inclusive to gain legitimacy.
“The election itself is not the solution. It should be part of a broader peace process that includes dialogue with all parties and ethnic groups. If the election excludes others, it won’t lead to peace or stability,” he said.
Lasting peace must come from the Myanmar people themselves, with Asean playing only a facilitating role, he said.
Myanmar has been trapped in political and humanitarian turmoil since the military seized power in 2021.
Asean adopted a peace plan two months later, but implementation has stalled amid worsening violence and a deepening humanitarian crisis.