Thai PM Opens ASEAN Coast Guard Forum 2025 – Cambodia Absent from Attendance

On June 25, 2025, at 11:00 a.m., Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, also serving as Director of the Thai Maritime Enforcement Command Center (Thai-MECC), presided over the opening ceremony of the ASEAN Coast Guard Forum 2025 (ACF 2025) in Pattaya, Chonburi Province. The forum emphasized regional cooperation to strengthen maritime safety, security, and prosperity across ASEAN. Notably absent from the meeting was Cambodia, the only ASEAN member state not in attendance.

The event was co-hosted by Thai-MECC and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), with support from ASEAN member states. Representatives from nine countries participated, including Brunei (Royal Brunei Police Force), Indonesia (Bakamla RI), Laos (Embassy of the Lao PDR), Malaysia (MMEA), Myanmar (Myanmar Coast Guard), the Philippines (PCG), Singapore (Police Coast Guard), Vietnam (VCG), and Timor-Leste (Naval Component of the F-FDTL).

Also in attendance were Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence Phumtham Wechayachai (Chair of the National Maritime Interests Policy Committee), Admiral Jiraphon Wongwit (Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Thai Navy and Deputy Director of Thai-MECC), and Admiral Phairoj Phueangchan (Chief of Staff, Royal Thai Navy and Secretary-General of Thai-MECC). They were welcomed at Hilton Pattaya Hotel, the event venue.

In her opening speech, Prime Minister Paetongtarn welcomed ASEAN delegates, observers, and strategic partners to Pattaya. She emphasized the importance of regional collaboration in maritime law enforcement and coastal security and praised the efforts of Thai-MECC and UNODC for bringing the forum to fruition.

The Prime Minister highlighted that maritime security is essential for the region—not only as a trade route and source of natural resources but also as a frontline against transnational crimes, including smuggling, drug trafficking, illegal fishing, and human trafficking. She praised the platform for promoting close cooperation among ASEAN’s maritime and coastal security agencies, as well as international observers and allies like UNODC.

She also expressed appreciation that the forum participants would engage in various collaborative activities aimed at enhancing operational frameworks and building long-term maritime security in the region. She concluded by wishing the forum success in achieving its goals under the theme "Fostering Maritime Safety, Security, and Prosperity in ASEAN."

Following the ceremony, Prime Minister Paetongtarn led delegates in observing a maritime Search and Rescue (SAR) drill in the Gulf of Pattaya. The scenario simulated a commercial aircraft going missing en route from U-Tapao International Airport to Phuket International Airport. A full-scale rescue operation was launched by Thai-MECC, the Royal Thai Navy, Marine Police, Marine Department, Department of Marine and Coastal Resources, Department of Emergency Medicine, hospitals, and local rescue teams.

Admiral Jiraphon Wongwit, Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Thai Navy and Deputy Director of Thai-MECC, noted that the forum aimed to develop a standardized operations manual, joint training, and dedicated communication channels between ASEAN maritime coordination centers. This would enhance cross-border information integration, rescue capabilities, disaster management, and build strategic confidence among ASEAN nations.

The ASEAN Coast Guard Forum (ACF) is a recurring platform that fosters regional maritime security cooperation and shared efforts to safeguard national maritime interests. This year’s forum hosted approximately 50 participants from ASEAN member states, observers, and UNODC. The 2025 edition was hosted by Thailand per the resolution of ACF 2023 held in Indonesia. The Philippines hosted the previous ACF 2024.