Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs meets with the President of the Asia Foundation

On 8 January 2026, H.E. Mr. Sihasak Phuangketkeow, Minister of Foreign Affairs, welcomed Ms. Laurel E. Miller, President of the Asia Foundation, on the occasion of her visit to Thailand. Ms. Miller thereafter had a meeting with H.E. Mr. Vijavat Isarabhakdi, Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs, on potential cooperation between Thailand and the Asia Foundation.

The President reaffirmed the Foundation's commitment and continuity in advancing its cooperation programmes in Thailand and the region, and expressed readiness to work closely with Thailand in an increasingly complex geopolitical landscape. This includes potential Track 1.5 engagements and advancing sustainable development in the region, such as clean energy and other areas beneficial to Thailand, the subregion, and ASEAN.

The Vice Minister commended the role of the Asia Foundation for its continued cooperation with Thailand, including contributions to national development, support for Thailand's leading roles in the subregion and ASEAN, and the Asia Foundation's role in promoting development in the Mekong subregion, as well as the Surin Pitsuwan Congressional Fellowship Program, which has helped enhance the learning experience of Thai diplomats and contributed to strengthening relations between Thailand and the United States. In addition, both sides discussed the possibility of cooperation to support efforts against online scams. Most recently, in December 2025, Thailand, together with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), co-hosted the International Conference on Global Partnership against Online Scams in Bangkok to foster cross-border cooperation and exchange best practices in countering online scams.

Established in 1954 with its headquarters in San Francisco, United States, the Asia Foundation is an international non-profit organization working to address social and economic challenges in Asia and the Pacific. The Foundation has been working with partners from over 20 countries through 17 offices, including in Thailand, implementing projects to support improving governance and economic development, upskilling workers, promoting peace and stability, countering transnational crime, and strengthening resource management.

The Asia Foundation has been working with Thailand for more than 70 years on cooperation to support Thailand's national development and leading role in the Greater Mekong Subregion and ASEAN through various academic and development cooperation programs.