ASEAN Summit Impacted as Thailand PM Cancels Trip After Queen Sirikit’s Death

Thailand’s Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has canceled his trip to Malaysia ahead of the ASEAN Summit following the death of the kingdom’s Queen Mother Sirikit. The Thai government confirmed that funeral arrangements for Queen Sirikit are now the top priority, raising uncertainty over whether the prime minister will attend the planned ceasefire signing with Cambodia that US President Donald Trump is set to witness this weekend.

Foreign ministers from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) gathered in Kuala Lumpur on Saturday to kick off a weekend of high-level diplomacy. The summit, which includes representatives from the United States and China, was expected to feature key trade talks and discussions on regional security. Thailand’s absence at the summit marks a significant moment, as Queen Sirikit’s death has left the nation in mourning and prompted a reshuffling of diplomatic priorities.

President Trump is scheduled to arrive in Kuala Lumpur on Sunday, marking the first stop of his Asia tour. He had planned to witness the signing of a broader ceasefire deal between Cambodia and Thailand, which follows a deadly five-day border conflict in July. With Thailand’s prime minister canceling his ASEAN trip, discussions are underway to determine whether another Thai official will represent the country for the ceasefire signing.

The ASEAN Summit 2025 aims to strengthen regional trade, promote multilateralism, and manage global economic tensions amid US-China trade negotiations. East Timor, Asia’s newest nation, will also be officially welcomed as ASEAN’s 11th member. Alongside the summit, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer are holding talks with a Chinese delegation led by Vice Premier He Lifeng, seeking to ease trade tensions before new tariffs are imposed.

The cancellation of the Thai prime minister’s ASEAN trip highlights the emotional and political impact of Queen Mother Sirikit’s death, as Thailand balances national mourning with regional responsibilities. Officials are closely coordinating to ensure the ceasefire signing and other diplomatic events proceed smoothly despite the prime minister’s absence.