On 31 August 2015, Mr. Norachit Sinhaseni, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry
of Foreign Affairs, recieved Mr. Steven Ciobo, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for
Foreign Affairs of Australia and his delegation at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
                   During the discussion, Mr. Ciobo expressed his condolences for the recent incident
at Ratchaprasong intersection on 17 August. He also and informed that Prime Minister Tony Abbott
had encouraged the Australian people not to be “cowed or intimidated” from visiting Thailand following
the incident, to which the Permanent Secretary acknowledged the Australian Prime Minister’s stance
with appreciation. Both sides the proceeded to discuss ways to further enhance trade and investment
opportunities under the Thailand – Australia Free Trade Area (TAFTA), and multilateral cooperation
under the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA).