BANGKOK, Thailand – The Thai government has highlighted five key outcomes from Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul’s official visit to Australia and New Zealand, saying the trip focused on turning diplomatic ties into new trade, investment and employment opportunities for Thailand. Government spokesperson Ratchada Thanadirek said the prime minister’s visit from August 17–22 marked an effort to use diplomacy to drive economic opportunities, strengthen international partnerships and deliver tangible benefits for Thai people.
The first priority was expanding trade opportunities. Thailand plans to make greater use of the Thailand-Australia Free Trade Agreement while working with New Zealand to triple bilateral trade to US$7.5 billion by 2045. Anutin also held talks with New Zealand-based fruit company T&G Global to explore expanding cooperation involving its Envy™ brand and opening opportunities for Thai agricultural products to reach international markets. The government also promoted Thailand as an investment and production base and a gateway to ASEAN. Anutin met representatives from more than 50 leading Australian companies across technology, digital services, agriculture, automotive and mining, while presenting the Thailand FastPass mechanism to facilitate investment.
In New Zealand, Skyline Enterprises expressed interest in expanding tourism investment in Thailand, while T&G Global is considering Thailand as a distribution base for ASEAN and India. The Board of Investment has been instructed to closely follow up on the proposals and help turn investment interest into projects and jobs.
Technology cooperation was another major focus, with Thailand and Australia discussing batteries and future vehicles, clean energy, agricultural technology, cybersecurity and artificial intelligence.
A memorandum of understanding between Thailand’s Top Flying and New Zealand’s NZAero also opened the way for aviation knowledge exchange and skills development, with the prime ministers of both countries witnessing the signing.
The government said the visit also sought to expand opportunities for Thai SMEs and creators. Anutin visited Canva’s headquarters in Australia to discuss increasing the number of Thai Canva Creators and advancing the Skill Bridge program to develop workers with skills needed by emerging industries.
Thailand and New Zealand also agreed to elevate bilateral relations to a strategic partnership, with expanded cooperation in education and skills development. Security cooperation formed the fifth area of focus, particularly efforts to combat transnational crime, scam networks, drug trafficking, human trafficking and online crime. Thailand also plans to expand police cooperation with New Zealand.
Ratchada said the visit strengthened Thailand’s network of international partners across the economy, education, technology and security. She said the government had instructed the Board of Investment and relevant agencies to closely follow up on the outcomes, stressing that success should be measured not only by agreements signed but by new markets, investment, jobs and income generated for Thai people.
“Economic diplomacy means using good relations with other countries to create opportunities for Thai people,” Ratchada said. “The government wants to bring investment, technology, knowledge and jobs into Thailand while opening doors for Thai products, farmers, SMEs, creators and people to generate income from global markets.” (TNA)
