Singapore and Thailand Deepen Strategic Partnership With Focus on AI, Energy and Trade
Singapore and Thailand have agreed to strengthen their bilateral relationship through a broader programme of cooperation covering artificial intelligence, energy security, food supplies, digital trade, connectivity and transnational crime.
The agreement was reached during the Singapore-Thailand Leaders’ Retreat in Bangkok on September 2, 2026, where Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong and Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul discussed the future direction of relations between the two countries.
New Strategic Partnership Framework
The two leaders reaffirmed their commitment to what they described as a “Forward-Looking Strategic Partnership.”
The framework is intended to build on more than six decades of bilateral relations while adapting cooperation to a changing global economic and geopolitical environment.
AI Cooperation Gets Greater Attention
Artificial intelligence emerged as one of the important areas for future cooperation.
Singapore and Thailand agreed to explore practical collaboration involving AI ecosystems, adoption, governance, research and development, and talent development.
Both sides also recognised the importance of regional cooperation as competition over advanced AI technologies increases globally.
Energy Security and ASEAN Power Grid
Energy resilience was another major priority discussed by the leaders.
The two countries agreed to deepen cooperation on secure and sustainable energy sources and highlighted the importance of the ASEAN Power Grid.
They also discussed low-carbon energy, carbon credits, hydrogen, carbon capture technologies and green finance as areas where cooperation could be expanded.
Food Security Becomes a Key Priority
Singapore and Thailand also agreed to strengthen cooperation on food security.
Thailand reaffirmed its readiness to remain a reliable partner for Singapore’s food supply, while both sides agreed to accelerate implementation of their existing rice-trade cooperation arrangements.
The partnership could help strengthen food supply chains at a time when global disruptions have increased concerns over food security.
Digital Economy and Payments
The leaders agreed to increase cooperation in the digital economy and artificial intelligence.
They also welcomed the continued development of the PromptPay-PayNow real-time cross-border payment connection, which allows faster payments between Singapore and Thailand.
The two countries want to expand financial connectivity and explore further opportunities for fintech cooperation.
Stronger Trade and Investment Links
Singapore and Thailand also agreed to deepen trade and investment relations and strengthen supply-chain resilience.
Thailand’s development as a regional logistics hub could create additional opportunities for Singaporean companies, particularly in infrastructure, logistics, renewable energy and digital industries.
Defence and Cybersecurity Cooperation
Defence cooperation will remain an important part of the relationship.
The two countries agreed to explore additional collaboration involving defence industries, supply-chain resilience and cybersecurity.
They also discussed stronger cooperation against transnational crime, particularly online scams, financial crime and criminal activity involving digital assets.
Working Together Through ASEAN
Singapore and Thailand are preparing to hold successive ASEAN chairmanships, with Singapore scheduled to chair ASEAN in 2027 and Thailand in 2028.
The two governments agreed to work together on a multi-year agenda so that initiatives can maintain continuity between the two chairmanships.
What Comes Next?
The latest leaders’ retreat has established a wide-ranging agenda for Singapore-Thailand cooperation.
Government agencies and ministers from both countries will now be expected to follow up on the agreed priorities, potentially turning the commitments on AI, energy, food security, trade and regional cooperation into concrete projects.
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