Thai PM to Visit Australia and New Zealand for Trade Talks

BANGKOK — Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul will make official visits to Australia from 17–20 August and New Zealand from 20–22 August, seeking to expand markets for Thai goods, attract investment and strengthen strategic partnerships.

Government spokesperson Rachada Dhnadirek said the visits, made at the invitation of the two countries' prime ministers, will also seek to link businesses and increase cooperation on security and people-to-people travel.

The Australia trip will be the first official visit by a Thai prime minister in 14 years, ahead of the 75th anniversary of Thai-Australian diplomatic relations in 2027.

Anutin is due to meet Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to advance the Thailand-Australia Strategic Partnership in trade, investment, security, clean energy, science, technology and innovation. They will also seek to implement the 2026–2029 Thailand-Australia Strategic Partnership Action Plan.

The prime minister will be accompanied by Thai private-sector representatives and attend a Thai-Australian business networking event organised by the Board of Investment and Austrade. The government hopes the visit will help Thai businesses build networks, find partners and develop investments.

Thailand will also encourage greater Australian investment, particularly in future industries and clean energy, which the government said could support investment, jobs and technology transfer.

Rachada said Thailand would seek to expand science, technology and innovation cooperation, especially between the National Science and Technology Development Agency and Australia's Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, or CSIRO, to help turn research into commercial applications.

The cooperation is also intended to give Thai start-ups and innovators opportunities to learn from Australia's innovation ecosystem and connect with international markets.

The New Zealand visit will be the first by a Thai prime minister in 13 years and coincides with the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

Anutin is scheduled to meet New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and sign a joint declaration formally upgrading Thailand-New Zealand relations to a strategic partnership, providing a framework for longer-term cooperation.

Thailand will seek greater access to the New Zealand market for agricultural products, food, consumer goods and retail businesses, while also encouraging New Zealand investment in Thailand.

Anutin is due to meet companies interested in investing in Thailand, including tourism operator Skyline Enterprises and appliance manufacturer Fisher & Paykel. Thai business representatives will also take part in networking and business-matching activities with New Zealand firms.

Thailand and New Zealand will also seek closer cooperation against transnational crime, Rachada said.

The government will additionally push for the resumption of direct flights between Bangkok and Auckland.