24 September 2026
On 24 September 2026, Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul delivered Thailand's national statement at the General Debate of the 81st Session of the UN General Assembly in New York.
It was his first address to the General Debate and coincided with the 80th anniversary of Thailand's membership in the United Nations.
The theme of the statement was 'Restoring Trust, Managing Transformation: A United Nations that Delivers for All'.
Thailand backed Security Council reform giving developing countries and the Global South a greater role in decision making.
On Cambodia, he said Cambodia chose compulsory conciliation proceedings under UNCLOS and that the process concerns the delimitation of maritime boundaries only.
He also cited Universal Health Coverage, the solar rooftop policy and the Global Partnership against Online Scams.
Session:
81st Session of the UN General Assembly
Date:
24 September 2026
Thailand in the UN:
80th anniversary of membership
Why it matters for exams: UNGA General Debate statements, UN Security Council reform and the Thailand–Cambodia UNCLOS dispute are standard international-relations topics.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
UNCLOS United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea — The 1982 treaty that sets the rules for maritime zones and boundaries.
General Debate UN General Assembly General Debate — The annual high-level session where heads of state and government address the Assembly.
24 September 2026
On 24 September 2026, Thailand's Prime Minister met UN Secretary-General António Guterres at UN Headquarters in New York during the UNGA81 High-level Week.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow joined the meeting.
Both sides welcomed close Thailand–UN relations on the 80th anniversary of Thailand's UN membership.
The Secretary-General appreciated Thailand's role as host of the UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP).
The Prime Minister expressed views on a transparent and fair selection process for the next UN Secretary-General.
The two sides also discussed the Thailand–Cambodia situation and the situation in Myanmar.
Venue:
United Nations Headquarters, New York
UN body hosted by Thailand:
ESCAP
Why it matters for exams: ESCAP's headquarters in Bangkok and the selection of the next UN Secretary-General are frequently examined UN facts.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
ESCAP United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific — The UN's regional commission for Asia-Pacific, headquartered in Bangkok.
24 September 2026
On 24 September 2026, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow met United States Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau on the sidelines of UNGA81 in New York.
Both sides underscored the longstanding Thai-U.S. alliance and strategic partnership.
They welcomed cooperation in defence and security, combating online scams and counternarcotics.
They also noted the progress of the bilateral trade negotiations.
The two sides exchanged views on the situation in Myanmar and the Thai-Cambodia situation.
US official:
Christopher Landau, Deputy Secretary of State
Date:
24 September 2026
Why it matters for exams: Thailand is a US treaty ally in Asia; alliance partners and their cooperation areas are common prelims questions.
Kerala PSCUPSC
24 September 2026
On 24 September 2026, Thai Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow opened the side event "Delivering the Sendai Framework: An ASEAN Approach to Inclusive Disaster and Climate Resilience" at UN Headquarters, New York.
The event was co-organized by Thailand, the UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR), Japan and the Philippines.
He highlighted the "One ASEAN, One Response" concept for joint disaster management among ASEAN nations.
The Foreign Ministers of the Philippines and Australia spoke, along with high-level representatives from India, Japan and UN-Habitat.
The event was aligned with the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (2015–2030) and the ASEAN Community Vision 2045.
It highlighted Thailand's role as ASEAN Coordinator for Sustainable Development Cooperation.
Framework period:
2015–2030
Co-organizers:
Thailand, UNDRR, Japan, Philippines
Why it matters for exams: The Sendai Framework (2015–2030) and ASEAN's 'One ASEAN, One Response' are core disaster-management topics in UPSC and PSC papers.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
UNDRR United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction — The UN office that coordinates disaster risk reduction and oversees the Sendai Framework.
Sendai Framework Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015–2030 — Global agreement adopted in Sendai, Japan, to reduce disaster risk and losses.
24 September 2026
On 24 September 2026, Thai Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs Vijavat Isarabhakdi attended the Foreign Ministers' Meeting of the Foreign Policy and Global Health Initiative (FPGH).
It was chaired by France as the 2026 Chair of the FPGH, under the One Health approach.
All seven FPGH members attended: Brazil, France, Indonesia, Norway, Senegal, South Africa and Thailand.
The meeting discussed Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness and Response (PPPR) and Global Health Architecture (GHA) reform.
The Vice Minister referred to negotiations on the Pathogen Access and Benefit-Sharing (PABS) Annex to the WHO Pandemic Agreement.
The FPGH was founded in 2006; Thailand chaired it in 2017 and 2024.
Members:
7
Founded:
2006
2026 Chair:
France
Why it matters for exams: Groupings and their member lists, the WHO Pandemic Agreement and the One Health approach are popular exam topics.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
FPGH Foreign Policy and Global Health Initiative — A seven-country group founded in 2006 to advance global health diplomacy.
PABS Pathogen Access and Benefit-Sharing — The annex to the WHO Pandemic Agreement on sharing pathogens and the benefits from them.
One Health One Health approach — An approach linking human, animal and environmental health.
25 September 2026
On 25 September 2026, Thai Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs Vijavat Isarabhakdi attended the Fiftieth Annual Meeting of the Ministers for Foreign Affairs of the Group of 77 in New York.
The meeting was chaired by Uruguay's Foreign Minister Mario Lubetkin under the theme "The Global South and the Future of Multilateralism".
It adopted the 2026 Ministerial Declaration and endorsed Rwanda as Chair of the Group for 2027.
Thailand voiced support for UN reform under the UN80 Initiative and cited its hosting of the 2026 IMF-World Bank Group Annual Meetings.
A Chiang Mai University project was approved for funding under the Perez-Guerrero Trust Fund for South-South Cooperation (PGTF), as reported when Thailand followed up on the Fund's Committee of Experts report at the G77 senior officials' meeting on 23 September.
Meeting:
Fiftieth Annual Meeting of G77 Foreign Ministers
2026 meeting chair:
Mario Lubetkin (Uruguay)
Chair for 2027:
Rwanda
Why it matters for exams: The G77, its rotating chair and South-South cooperation are recurring topics in international organisations questions.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
G77 Group of 77 — The largest coalition of developing countries at the United Nations.
PGTF Perez-Guerrero Trust Fund for South-South Cooperation — A G77 fund that finances South-South cooperation projects.
UN80 Initiative UN80 Initiative — The UN Secretary-General's reform agenda launched around the UN's 80th anniversary.
24 September 2026
On 24 September 2026, on the sidelines of UNGA81, Thai Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow met Algeria's Foreign Minister Ahmed Attaf.
They discussed trade, investment and energy cooperation, including Thailand's energy investment in Algeria.
The same day he met Uganda's Foreign Minister Adonia Ayebare.
He welcomed the end of the Ebola disease outbreak in Uganda.
In both meetings he underscored the Thailand-Africa Initiative (TAI) for expanding Thailand's cooperation with African countries.
Algerian FM:
Ahmed Attaf
Ugandan FM:
Adonia Ayebare
Initiative:
Thailand-Africa Initiative (TAI)
Why it matters for exams: Asian countries' Africa outreach and recent disease outbreaks such as Ebola appear in international-relations and health questions.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
TAI Thailand-Africa Initiative — Thailand's policy framework for expanding cooperation with African countries.
25 September 2026
On 25 September 2026, Thai sprinter Puripol Boonson won the men's 100m gold at the 20th Asian Games Aichi-Nagoya 2026.
He clocked 9.90 seconds in the final at Nagoya City Mizuho Park Athletic Stadium.
In the semi-final he ran 9.91, breaking Su Bingtian's Games record; he lowered it again in the final.
The 9.90 moved him to second on the Asian all-time list.
Oman's Ali Al Balushi took silver in 10.04.
He became Thailand's first Asian Games champion in the event for 48 years, after Anat Ratanapol in 1974 and Suchart Jairsuraparp in 1978.
Winning time:
9.90 seconds
Semi-final time:
9.91
Silver:
Ali Al Balushi (Oman), 10.04
Why it matters for exams: Asian Games hosts, record-setting champions and medal events are standard sports questions.
Kerala PSCUPSC
25 September 2026
On 25 September 2026, the Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) issued its weather advisory 'Heavy to Very Heavy Rain in Thailand No.9 (225/2026)'.
It said an active low-pressure cell over the East would move to the Central region including Bangkok during 25–27 September 2026, along a monsoon trough across upper Thailand.
The southwest monsoon over the Andaman Sea, the South and the Gulf was strengthening.
It warned of flash floods, overflows and landslides, especially along waterways near foothills and lowlands.
Waves in the upper Gulf and upper Andaman Sea were forecast at 2–3 metres, and small boats there were told to stay ashore until 27 September.
Advisory:
No.9 (225/2026)
Period:
25 – 27 September 2026
Wave height (upper Gulf, upper Andaman):
2–3 metres
Why it matters for exams: Monsoon troughs, low-pressure systems and the southwest monsoon are core physical-geography concepts.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
Monsoon trough Monsoon trough — An elongated low-pressure zone that brings heavy monsoon rain where it lies.
TMD Thai Meteorological Department — Thailand's national weather service.