H.E. Mr. Parnpree Bahiddha-Nukara, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, joined the Prime Minister’s Delegation to attend
the Special Summit to Commemorate the 50^th Anniversary of ASEAN-Australia Dialogue Relations in Melbourne, Australia during 4 – 6 March 2024.
      In addition to attending the Summit along with the Prime Minister, on 4 March 2024 prior to the Summit, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs also participated in other related missions, as follows:

1. A bilateral meeting with Senator the Honourable Penny Wong, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Australia: both sides agreed to continue the momentum of the constructive cooperation which Thailand and Australia share as Strategic Partners, including (1) political and security cooperation, which encompasses cooperation in combatting human trafficking and cyber security, as well as
   (2) economic cooperation, especially on the development of the mutual targeted industries, which are energy transition, electric vehicles, and precision agriculture. Furthermore, they also exchanged views on important regional development, situation in Myanmar, cooperation in the Mekong sub-region, as well as ASEAN-Australia relations.
2. The visit to Toyota Australia: the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs met with Mr. Matthew Callachor, President and CEO, along with the company’s management team. On this occasion, they discussed ways to promote trade and investment between Thailand and Australia in the vehicle sector, as well as gained insights on the future of hydrogen cars.
3. On the same day, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs also visited eight Thai elephants at Melbourne Zoo, three of which have been at Melbourne Zoo since 2006. The elephants hold a special place in the cordial relations between Thailand and Australia. The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs was pleased with the welfare of the elephants and
   that they are thriving in a spacious and well-organised habitat at Melbourne Zoo, and glad tha they have been loved by the zoo goers.

      The Special Summit to Commemorate the 50^th Anniversary of ASEAN-Australia Dialogue Relations, as well as the related programmes of
the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs underscore the close and unique relations between Thailand and Australia. They also mirror both nations’ commitment to maintaining and promoting prosperity, peace, and stability on bilateral and regional levels. Thailand and Australia have enhanced their ties to Strategic Partnership since 2020, and celebrated their 70^th Anniversary of diplomatic relations in 2022. H.E. General the Honourable David Hurley AC DSC (Retd), Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia, together with his spouse, just paid an Official Visit to Thailand as Guest of the Royal Thai Government during 13-17 Feb 2024, marking the first visit by an Australian Governor-General in 7 years.