When the dawn falls on the rubber forests along the southern border of Thailand, the roar of cross-border trucks awakens the dormant ports. On this vibrant land, a blueprint for cross-border cooperation is quietly being drawn up. Thailand is joining hands with Indonesia and Malaysia, relying on the growth triangle mechanism, to transform the dividends of regional coordinated development into tangible happiness and opportunities for the people of the fourteen southern provinces.

Thailand is promoting regional economic cooperation with Indonesia and Malaysia, relying on the Indonesia Malaysia Thailand growth triangle mechanism to expand markets, create employment, and improve the income levels of the people in 14 southern provinces of Thailand.

Three parties gather to discuss cooperation blueprint

The 32nd Indonesia Malaysia Thailand Growth Triangle Ministerial Conference will be held on September 10, 2026 in Medan, North Sumatra Province, Indonesia. Tanadi Lakdabu, Assistant Minister of the Thai Prime Minister's Office, was entrusted by the Deputy Prime Minister to represent Thailand in attending the conference and handling relevant cooperation affairs.

The meeting was chaired by the Indonesian Minister of Economic Coordination, Elronga Hartato. The Malaysian Minister of Economy, representatives from the Asian Development Bank and the ASEAN Secretariat, as well as government and business representatives from the three countries, attended the conference together. Local administrative officials and relevant agency heads from 14 provinces in southern Thailand also attended in groups. All parties attending the meeting reviewed the implementation results of the cooperation blueprint from 2022 to 2026 and discussed the new version of the cooperation plan from 2027 to 2031. The new plan will reduce fragmented short-term projects and focus on cross-border cooperation with clear goals, quantifiable effects, and sustained benefits for people's livelihoods.

Multi domain layout for cross-border collaboration

Transportation infrastructure and port clearance are the key topics of this conference. The integration of Thailand's Sandao Port with Malaysia's Heimu Mountain Comprehensive Port is expected to shorten the clearance time for people and goods, reduce logistics costs, and facilitate border merchants, logistics practitioners, and local residents.

In the agricultural sector, the Three Kingdoms plan to support young farmers through technological innovation and improve the industrial chains of rubber, palm oil, food, and medicinal plants. At the meeting, a memorandum of cooperation on palm oil was signed, covering areas such as trade, sustainable development, and scientific research, benefiting small farmers, cooperatives, and local Thai enterprises. The three parties will simultaneously deepen cooperation in the halal industry, carry out talent training, product certification, and cross-border trade, covering food, beauty, cultural tourism, medical and other fields, and help Thai small and medium-sized enterprises explore the Muslim market.

The tourism sector plans to create cross-border characteristic tourism routes, develop food, Muslim friendly and sustainable tourism, and guide tourists to second tier cities and grassroots communities. The scope of cooperation also includes digital skills training, network and 5G infrastructure, green city construction, environmental governance, and other content. Tongsong City, Nakhon Si Thammasat, Thailand won the gold award for its achievements in biodiversity and ecological governance. The Thai side stated that this case proves that Thailand can create a model for regional green development.

Focus on long-term planning and develop a new situation

The Thai side proposes to connect the economic corridor with eight major areas of cooperation, set clear goals and regulatory mechanisms for projects, and involve private enterprises in project planning, investment, and implementation. Keywords: Southeast Asia, cross-border cooperation, regional economy

Thailand hopes to build a regional economic gateway based on this cooperation mechanism, integrating the Songkhla and Narathiwat economic zones into the regional industrial chain, attracting investment, and enhancing competitiveness. The Thai side has confirmed its plan to host the 17th India Malaysia Growth Triangle Summit during the ASEAN rotating presidency in 2028. The Thai side emphasizes that the ultimate results of cooperation should be reflected in practical achievements such as increasing residents' income, expanding job opportunities, reducing operating costs, and improving people's livelihoods.Editor/Gong Ziwei