Thailand and New Zealand Elevate Ties, Plan Direct Flights

Thailand and New Zealand have elevated their relationship to a strategic partnership, setting a target to triple bilateral trade to US$7.5 billion by 2045 and supporting plans to restore direct flights between Bangkok and Auckland in March 2027.

Prime Minister and Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon made the announcement after full bilateral talks at Government House in Wellington, held during Anutin's official visit marking 70 years of diplomatic relations.

The two leaders signed a Joint Declaration on the Strategic Partnership, raising Thailand-New Zealand ties to a higher level. They also agreed on the Thailand-New Zealand Joint Plan of Action 2026-2030 as a framework for implementing the partnership.

The plan focuses on four pillars: political and security cooperation, including action against transnational crime, online scams and human trafficking; economic, trade and innovation cooperation in innovation, food and energy security, the green economy, sustainable agriculture and environmental conservation; education, culture and people-to-people ties including skills development and capacity-building; and regional and multilateral cooperation through ASEAN-led mechanisms, APEC and other international forums.

Both sides aim to triple bilateral trade to US$7.5 billion by 2045 and will develop the Thailand-New Zealand Closer Economic Partnership to create new opportunities for businesses and people in both countries. Anutin expressed satisfaction that senior Thai business representatives joined the visit and met with New Zealand officials and businesses, opening cooperation opportunities in new sectors.

Following the joint press conference, the two leaders witnessed the signing of four cooperation documents: a cultural cooperation agreement; a memorandum of understanding between Thailand's Office of the Civil Service Commission and Education New Zealand; an information-sharing and partnership agreement between the Royal Thai Police and New Zealand Police; and a private-sector agreement between Chata Instruments Company Limited and Aeroqual Limited.

Anutin also sought New Zealand's support for Thailand's bid to join the OECD, which Luxon confirmed New Zealand would fully support.

Thai Airways plans to resume direct Bangkok-Auckland services in March 2027. Anutin said he would seek to bring forward the target date to support tourism, trade, investment, education and people-to-people exchanges.