Kuala lumpur: Director-General of the ASEAN Affairs Department reveals that Thailand is pushing for the suppression of scammers as a collaborative effort at the ASEAN Summit. Mr. Polpong Wangpan, Director-General of the Department of ASEAN Affairs, revealed the key points of the 47th ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, which will be held from October 26-28.
According to Thai News Agency, the Director-General of the Department of ASEAN Affairs stated that this ASEAN Summit is significant because it takes place amidst a highly volatile global situation. Competing between superpowers and advancements in various power policies have significantly imbalanced the international political economy. Therefore, it presents an opportunity for ASEAN leaders, including the Thai Prime Minister, to demonstrate their commitment to international cooperation, particularly regional cooperation, and cooperation with external partners. The summit also features leaders from key countries, including the President of the United States, the Prime Minister of China, the Prime Minister of Australia, the President of South Korea, and the new Prime Minister of Japan. This presents an opportunity for ASEAN to demonstrate its constructive cooperation with external partners as dialogue partners.
“Our Prime Minister’s meeting with leaders from outside the region demonstrates Thailand’s commitment to multilateralism and regional cooperation. It also demonstrates ASEAN’s commitment to maintaining unity and centrality in a rapidly changing global context. Therefore, developments within ASEAN and its dialogue partners will be worth watching.”
Regarding Thailand’s key points at this ASEAN Summit, the Director-General of the Department of ASEAN Affairs revealed that Thailand prioritizes promoting peace and stability, driving the economy and integration within the ASEAN region, and developing the capabilities and potential of ASEAN member countries, all aimed at sustainable development. Economic growth is crucial, and Thailand is currently prioritizing the promotion of the digital economy.
“Thailand is chairing the negotiating committee for the ASEAN Framework Agreement on the Digital Economy. We expect to conclude negotiations within the next year. This agreement will be among the first regional agreements related to driving the digital economy and will help ASEAN’s economic value reach the projected US$1 trillion by 2030. Therefore, the digital economy is a crucial foundation for future economies and a catalyst for new innovations.”
The Director-General of the Department of ASEAN Affairs also stated that another issue that goes hand in hand is the energy transition, in which Thailand and the world are striving to find more clean energy sources. ASEAN has set a target of using clean and renewable energy at 43 percent by 2030. This is an ASEAN effort because we are moving towards low-carbon use and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. We are striving to achieve Net Zero by 2030.
The Director-General of the Department of ASEAN Affairs revealed that Thailand attaches importance to transnational crimes, online scams, fraud, and cybercrime, as they not only cause damage to ASEAN citizens but also undermine the economic development we are trying to promote, the digital economy. However, if cybercrime is severe, it affects everyone. ASEAN has been cooperating for the past two or three years, but at this time, the problem has become so severe that countries outside the region must pay attention because their citizens are also affected.
“We will now be increasing our cooperation on this issue through ASEAN mechanisms. For example, earlier this year, during the Digital Ministerial Meeting, Thailand issued the Bangkok Declaration against Online Scams and Cybercrime. Furthermore, a working group against cybercrime was established, with the Ministry of Digital Affairs hosting discussions on these cooperation areas.”
The Director-General of the Department of ASEAN Affairs also stated that cybercrime is a cross-border issue, crossing the three pillars of ASEAN cooperation: politics, economy, and society. Online cybercrime impacts all sectors. Thailand has attempted to promote its role in suppressing scammers across all pillars, including the political pillar, with ministerial meetings to combat transnational crime. Under this mechanism, an ASEAN working group has been established to support the economic working group, which must work together. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is promoting the ASEAN border management roadmap, enhancing the capabilities of officials in detecting transnational crimes, particularly online scams.
“At the ASEAN Summit, there will be a joint declaration, which will also be discussed. The ASEAN Leaders’ Statement will focus on increasing cooperation in combating online scams. This is an important issue, not only for ASEAN but also for those outside the region.”
Polpong added that the United States, within the framework of the East Asia Summit, proposed a joint ASEAN+3 statement specifically addressing cybercrime. This is an issue with global repercussions, and a superpower like the United States is sincere and committed to addressing this issue across all regions. This issue not only impacts the lives of ordinary citizens but also erodes the global financial system.
Regarding Myanmar, Mr. Polpong stated that the situation in Myanmar remains of interest to ASEAN, and Thailand must play a leading role as a neighboring country. In addition to being close, Thailand has also been affected by the unrest. Thailand is trying to mobilize various ASEAN cooperation measures to help resolve the situation in Myanmar, reducing violence and border situations in Thailand, and cooperating with countries in the region. Thailand supports the role of ASEAN Chair and Special Representative in advancing the five-point consensus on resolving the situation in Myanmar, a crisis that ASEAN must continue to prioritize. We must work together to resolve the issue, as Myanmar is an ASEAN member.
“We are closely monitoring developments regarding the upcoming elections. We need to see how ASEAN responds to their shared stance. Regarding Thailand, Myanmar’s elections may not be perfect, but they will at least contribute to the domestic peace process. A continued peace process, with reduced violence, to enable dialogue from this point forward, would be a positive development.”
The Director-General of the Department of ASEAN Affairs also revealed that this meeting marks Timor-Leste’s full ASEAN membership, demonstrating ASEAN’s commitment to building a strong community. Timor will help build the ASEAN Community, aligned with the new Vision 2045. This 20-year vision will show ASEAN leaders how they envision ASEAN and how they will address emerging challenges, particularly transnational crimes. There are also environmental issues, and within 5-10 years, ASEAN will have a green agenda, with Thailand set to become a center for sustainable development.