Leaders Share Musical Moment

Thailand’s Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and Singapore’s Lawrence Wong swapped speeches for a singalong in Bangkok, taking to the microphone and guitar for a light-hearted finale to a day of official talks.

Footage filmed on Wednesday shows Anutin singing The Beatles’ ‘Let It Be’, with Wong accompanying him on guitar. The pair then performed Bob Dylan’s ‘Blowin’ in the Wind’, before finishing to applause and cheers.

Neither leader publicly explained the choice of songs, which brought an informal end to an evening of diplomacy.

The performance came during an official dinner hosted by Anutin following the fifth Thailand-Singapore Leaders’ Retreat, the first between the two countries in 11 years.

Leaders Strengthen Bilateral Ties

Following the talks, Anutin praised the renewed dialogue and his relationship with Wong in a Facebook post.

“It was a distinct honour to welcome our good friend, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, back to Thailand. Our Leaders’ Retreat reaffirmed our shared commitment to deepen Thailand–Singapore relations in ways that benefit not only our peoples but also a stronger and more resilient ASEAN,” he wrote.

Wong also thanked his counterpart for “his friendship and warm hospitality”.