By Neawna and Thai Newsroom
THAI and Australian Prime Ministers, Anutin Charnvirakul and Anthony Albanese, this morning (Aug. 19) signed two joint statements on upgrading strategic partnership in four areas, across trade, law enforcement, defence and innovation, after their full-scale bilateral meeting at Parliament House in Canberra.
Albanese officially welcomed Anutin, noting that this is the first official visit by a Thai prime minister in 14 years, reflecting the importance Australia places on Thailand as a close ally, in preparation for the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations next year.
“As we look forward to celebrating 75 years of diplomatic relations between Australia and Thailand next year, we are expanding our relationship through economic resilience, security, and innovation.
“As transnational crime becomes more sophisticated, it has never been more important that we look to trusted regional partners to help combat crime, protect our communities and advance a peaceful, stable and prosperous Indo-Pacific region.
“With two-way trade nearly tripled since our FTA entered into force, Australia’s economic ties with Thailand continue to offer enormous potential.
“It is a pleasure to host Prime Minister Anutin in Australia, and I look forward to working together as we expand our relationship to meet modern challenges and opportunities,” the Australian Prime Minister said.
Australia affirmed its support for Thailand to join the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and is committed to working closely with Thailand in vital multilateral forums such as the 31st Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP31), the World Trade Organisation and ASEAN. This reflects both countries’ shared commitment to the agreed rules, norms and standards of the multilateral system.
The leaders issued a Joint Statement on Transnational Crime, which commits law enforcement agencies to closer operational cooperation to disrupt increasingly sophisticated global criminal networks.
This builds on decades of cooperation between Australian and Thai authorities to make communities safer, and will target human and illicit drug trafficking, scam networks and cyber fraud.
Thailand and Australia also agreed to establish a biennial Defence Ministers’ Meeting, further strengthening defence cooperation.
During the visit, Thailand and Australia agreed to work more closely on science, research and innovation to drive economic growth. This will build on existing collaboration between Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) and Thai research partners, among them the National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA), in pharmaceutical manufacturing, and sustainable food and agricultural systems.
The Thai Prime Minister said that strategic partnership will be a strong foundation for the development of both countries, particularly in addressing borderless security challenges. Thailand is committed to using the new joint statements to decisively tackle online fraud, human trafficking, and money laundering. Simultaneously, to build economic resilience amidst geopolitical volatility.
Anutin also praised the role of the Thai community in Australia, as well as the continued popularity of Thailand among Australian tourists. He affirmed that Thailand will continue to strengthen cooperation with Australia through ASEAN mechanisms and the Mekong-Australia Partnership and thanked the Australian government once again for its full support for Thailand joining OECD.
CAPTION:
Thai and Australian Prime Ministers, Anutin Charnvirakul and Anthony Albanese attending their meeting this morning, August 19, 2026. Above photo – Naewna, inserted and Front Page – Amarin TV
Earlier report:
Canva agrees to boost Thai creators during Anutin’s visit
Also read:
Anutin, Ekniti hopeful of higher growth despite GDP reaching 1.9% in Q2
Weapon prices climbed 30% during conflict with Cambodia: Minister
Election commissioners tipped to take risk of jail over senatorial rigging conspiracy
Given ‘blue’ power, Newin would fear nobody: Academic
A single duty-negligence lawsuit needed to put election commissioners in jail
Thai-US trade talks irrelevant to Cobra Gold military exercise: PM
Anutin bows to Thaksin in bidding farewell after funeral service
Anutin’s turboprop civilian plane given mid-air greeting by F-16 fighter jets over Korat
People’s MP slams Anutin on controlling firearms
Gulf visitor arrivals save Thai tourism from low season disaster
