On 12–13 May 2026, Mrs. Chatvadee Chindawongse, Deputy Director-General of the Department of ASEAN Affairs, led the Thai delegation to attend the ASEAN Regional Forum Inter-Sessional Support Group on Confidence Building Measures and Preventive Diplomacy (ARF ISG on CBMs and PD) in Manila.

The Meeting discussed the draft Manila Plan of Action 2026–2036, which will serve as the strategic framework guiding the ARF over the next decade. The draft will be submitted for adoption at the 33^rd ARF Ministerial Meeting in July 2026. The Meeting also reviewed the progress of confidence-building activities undertaken during the 2025–2026 inter-sessional year across various areas of cooperation, and discussed plans for activities in the next inter-sessional year.

During the meeting, Thailand has expressed interest in co-chairing the Inter-sessional Meetings in the areas of Disaster Relief, Counter-Terrorism and Transnational Crime, and Maritime Security, as well as the Experts and Eminent Persons’ Meeting (EEPs Meeting) in the next cycle. Besides, Thailand also proposed a concept paper for an ARF Workshop on Enhancing Cooperation to Combat Online Scams for the next inter-sessional year. These initiatives reflect Thailand’s continued commitment to contributing constructively and proactively to the ARF process.