Thai PM and Malaysian PM’s ‘My Way’ Duet: A humorous duet between Thai PM Anutin Charnvirakul and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has become a hit online. The two leaders sang “My Way” by Frank Sinatra at an official luncheon in Putrajaya, the Malaysian administrative capital, on July 9, 2026. The impromptu performance took place following a bilateral meeting between the two leaders meant to foster closer ties between the neighbours.
The incident occurred during an official luncheon hosted by Malaysian Premier Anwar at the PM’s Office after holding high-level talks with his visiting Thai counterpart and a joint news conference. According to journalists attending the visit, Anwar had invited his Thai guest to the stage. Anutin was presented with a saxophone, and started playing “My Way”. Then, Anwar joined him, grabbing the microphone and belting out the lyrics as others present broke into applause.
Thai PM and Malaysian PM’s ‘My Way’ Duet
Videos of the duo performing together went viral across social media with netizen applauding the pair’s chemistry and the human touch added to diplomacy.
Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul plays “My Way” on his saxophone during his visit to Malaysia. I especially enjoyed the second half, when he stepped off the stage and joined Anwar for the performance. Great showmanship. Next time, let’s play together. #thailand #anutin pic.twitter.com/3UnDAdYm8X
— Ken Kobayashi (@KenKobayashi) July 9, 2026
Anutin and Anwar’s meeting touched upon bilateral relations and efforts to enhance cooperation between both countries, focusing on strengthening bilateral trade, investment, agriculture, border security, transport connectivity, and addressing issues within the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) bloc. During their meeting, both premiers also signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on agricultural cooperation.
In 2025, Thailand was Malaysia’s sixth-largest trading partner globally and second-largest among Asean member states, with total trade amounting to RM118.57 billion (US$27.73 billion).
From January to March 2026, bilateral trade between the two countries reached RM31.33 billion (US$7.90 billion), compared with RM27.35 billion (US$6.15 billion) during the corresponding period in 2025.
This trip, the Thai PM’s first visit to Malaysia since his return as premier in March 2026, will also involve jointly inaugurating the road that connects the Bukit Kayu Hitam Immigration, Customs, Quarantine and Security (ICQS) Complex in Malaysia and the Sadao Customs, Immigration and Quarantine (CIQ) Complex in Thailand.
Social Media Reacts
Social media users have reacted positively to the performance with some describing it as “refreshing” and “wholesome”. For them, the moment served as a reminder that diplomacy could also be a human affair and not restricted to formal discussions and meetings. While the impromptu duet was less formal, it highlighted the closeness of bilateral relations between Malaysia and Thailand.
