BANGKOK - Prime Minister Lawrence Wong has described Singapore and Thailand relations to be in excellent shape and said both sides will develop a multi-year agenda for ASEAN, with Singapore set to be chair of the regional group in 2027, followed by Thailand in 2028. 

He was speaking at a press conference in Bangkok with his Thai counterpart Anutin Charnvirakul at the Singapore-Thailand Leaders’ Retreat held on Sept 2 after a 11-year hiatus. 

PM Wong said the two countries’ partnership has continued to evolve with their changing needs and priorities, citing food and energy security, emerging technologies especially AI and physical connectivity as the key areas in which both countries are deepening cooperation. 

“Our bilateral relations are in excellent shape. It is underpinned by a high degree of trust and rapport at the leadership level as well as strong institutional ties between our two countries,” he said

Singapore and Thailand are “like-minded partners with a shared interest in a strong and united ASEAN”, he said, adding that both sides have agreed to work closely together to come up with a multi-year agenda for the 11-member regional grouping.

Singapore is taking over from the Philippines as ASEAN chair in 2027, followed by Thailand in 2028. 

“This gives us a unique opportunity to work together across successive Chairmanships – especially on initiatives that require sustained effort,” said PM Wong.

“By doing so, we can sustain the momentum of important initiatives, and make greater progress on issues that matter to our region,” he added.

One long-term project, for example, is the ASEAN Power Grid, which will facilitate cross-border electricity trade among the regi...