BANGKOK, 31 August 2023 - The Philippine Embassy in Bangkok proudly took part in the special visit of the birthplace of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations or ASEAN in the resort town of Bang Saen, southeast of Bangkok, Thailand, organized by the National Defense Studies Institute, Royal Thai Armed Forces on 23 August 2023.

On the occasion of the 56th Anniversary of the Establishment of ASEAN, the National Defense Studies Institute organized the historical visit for ASEAN missions and selected members of the diplomatic corps on the sidelines of a seminar on regional security and stability held in the same compound.

Prior to the signing of the ASEAN Declaration (Bangkok Declaration) by the five founding members of ASEAN: Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore and Thailand on 08 August 1967 in Bangkok, the five foreign ministers spent four days in Bang Saen upon the invitation of then Thai Foreign Minister Dr. Thanat Khoman.

Their informal talks, held at the Bang Saen summer residence of then Thai Prime Minister Thanom Kittikachorn, led to the five countries’ agreement to establish ASEAN.

The Royal Thai Armed Forces’ Center for Strategic Studies hosts the Bang Saen residence, which has been converted to a museum in honor of Thai Prime Minister Thanom and his famous guests. END