Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra and his Malaysian counterpart Mahathir Mohamad led their senior officials in a world first yesterday: a cross-border cabinet meeting.
The talks covered bilateral trade, security issues and a range of plans for joint economic development in the border area.
Mr Thaksin pledged to step up a joint approach to fighting terrorism and smuggling along their shared border, and to increase bilateral tourism and trade, an official statement said.
But the aim of the gathering in the Thai border town of Hat Yai was more ambitious - to offer a new model for regional, even global, co-operation, and to portray Mr Thaksin as Southeast Asia's next international statesman.
'This joint meeting is a historic moment, not only for Thai-Malaysian relations but also for the region as a whole,' Mr Thaksin said.
'Economic activities will flourish when people feel safe and secure. We need to work together to fight against terrorism, crime and illicit activities along our common border.'