On 26 August 2025, the International Studies Center (ISC) co-organised with the Royal Thai Embassy in Singapore a seminar on “Thailand-Singapore@60: Echoing the Past, Envisioning the Future” at Grand Copthorne Waterfront Hotel. The seminar began with Opening Remarks by Ambassador Ureerat Chareontoh, Thailand’s Ambassador to Singapore. It was followed by two keynote speeches on “Bridging the Past: Thailand-Singapore Relations through Singaporean Views” delivered by George Yeo, former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Singapore and “Echoing the Past: Thailand and Singapore’s Diplomatic Relations” by Dr. Tej Bunnag, former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Thailand.

            The keynote speeches were followed by a conversation between two former Permanent Secretaries of Foreign Affairs of Singapore and Thailand, namely Ambassador Bilahari Kausikan and Ambassador Sihasak Phuangketkeow on “Thailand and Singapore: Envisioning the Future Together”. They discussed ongoing geopolitical competition and the implications of emerging challenges for ASEAN, the implications for ASEAN. They also discussed developments within ASEAN as well as issues such as ASEAN identity and centrality. The future cooperation between Thailand and Singapore was also touched upon. The session was moderated by ISC Director. Approximately 100 participants, including public officials, diplomats, business executives, scholars and students attended the event.