16-1-2025 (BANGKOK) Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra launched the fifth ASEAN Digital Ministers’ Meeting (ADGMIN) with a robust call for collective action against emerging cyber threats.
Speaking at Bangkok’s Avani Plus Riverside Hotel yesterday, the Thai leader outlined an ambitious agenda focusing on cybersecurity, digital literacy, and ethical artificial intelligence deployment across Southeast Asia’s digital landscape.
Drawing from personal experience, Ms Shinawatra revealed a startling encounter with sophisticated cyber criminals who had attempted to deceive her using AI-generated voice technology to mimic an ASEAN leader. This disclosure added weight to her urgent appeal for enhanced regional cooperation in tackling digital fraud.
“The digital realm knows no borders, and neither should our response to its challenges”, the Prime Minister told assembled ministers from the ten-nation bloc. “We must forge ahead with a unified strategy that protects our citizens whilst embracing digital innovation”.
The summit’s agenda crystallised around three primary objectives: stemming the tide of online scams, confronting the spread of misinformation, and establishing framework for ethical AI deployment across the region.
In what observers noted as a significant policy shift, Thailand announced plans to host the Global Forum on the Ethics of AI in partnership with UNESCO this June, extending invitations to all ASEAN member states.
Digital Ministers from Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, and Vietnam joined their Thai counterpart in discussing measures to create what Ms Shinawatra termed a “sustainable and inclusive digital economy”.
Deputy Government Spokesman Karom Polpornklang highlighted the significance of the timing, noting that the meeting provides a crucial platform for regional leaders to align their digital strategies at the year’s outset.
The Thai Premier’s emphasis on collective action resonated particularly strongly given recent reports of increasing sophisticated cyber scams affecting Southeast Asian nations. Her proposal for a coordinated approach to digital literacy and content regulation marked a decisive step towards regional digital resilience.
“Our strength lies in our unity”, Ms Shinawatra concluded. “By transforming digital challenges into opportunities, we can ensure that no ASEAN member state lags behind in the digital revolution”.
