Thai PM to Visit Australia and New Zealand in August
Thai PM Anuthit Charnweerakul will visit Australia and New Zealand in mid-August to boost trade, investment, and technology transfer, marking the first official visits by a Thai premier to both countries in over a decade.
On August 14, Government Spokesperson Ratchada Thanadirek announced that Prime Minister Anuthit Charnweerakul will make official visits to Australia from August 17-20 and New Zealand from August 20-22 at the invitation of both countries' prime ministers.
The government aims to use the visits to create economic opportunities for Thailand, including expanding Thai product markets, attracting investment and technology, connecting the business sector, and strengthening cooperation on security and people-to-people travel.
The Australia visit marks the first official visit by a Thai PM in 14 years, ahead of the 75th anniversary of Thai-Australian diplomatic relations in 2026. The Prime Minister will meet with Australian PM Anthony Albanese to advance their strategic partnership in trade, investment, security, clean energy, science, technology, and innovation, and will roll out a joint action plan for 2026-2029.
To create real business opportunities, the PM will bring Thai private sector representatives and attend business networking events organized by the Board of Investment and Austrade. Thailand will also push for increased Australian investment in future industries and clean energy.
The government spokesperson highlighted the importance of transferring knowledge and technology to boost Thailand's economy, including expanding cooperation between Thailand's National Science and Technology Development Agency and Australia's CSIRO to commercialize research, and offering Thai startups and innovators a chance to learn from Australia's innovation ecosystem.
The New Zealand visit is the first official visit by a Thai PM in 13 years and coincides with the 70th anniversary of Thai-New Zealand diplomatic relations. The PM will meet with New Zealand PM Christopher Luxon and sign a joint declaration elevating the relationship to an official strategic partnership, providing a framework for long-term cooperation.
On the economic front, Thailand will push Thai products into the New Zealand market, including agricultural products, food, consumer goods, and retail, while attracting New Zealand investment. The PM will hold direct talks with interested companies such as Skyline Enterprises in tourism and Fisher & Paykel in electrical appliances, and will create networking opportunities for Thai private sector participants to match businesses with New Zealand counterparts, converting government-level relations into purchase orders, investment, and business opportunities.
