On 22 January 2024, Mr. Chettaphan Maksamphan, Director-General of American and South Pacific Affairs Department, chaired a roundtable discussion on “Enhancing Thailand-Australia Economic Engagement.” The meeting focused on exploring ways to enhance two-way trade and investment between Thailand and Australia. Representatives from key Thai and Australian public and private organizations were in attendance, including the Thai Chamber of Commerce, the Thailand – Australia – New Zealand Business Council, and the Australian-Thai Chamber of Commerce (AustCham).

As the meeting enjoyed extensive discussions on the opportunities and challenges facing Thai and Australian investments, as well as how to address them, the meeting agreed for all parties to work closely to push further forward the two-way investments between both countries. In addition, representatives from the Australian Embassy provided a briefing on the key elements of “Invested: Australia’s Southeast Asia Economic Strategy to 2040,” launched by the Australian Government in September 2023. The Economic Strategy aims to increase awareness, eliminate barriers, enhance capabilities, and deepen investment ties between Australia and Southeast Asia, including Thailand.

The relationship between Thailand and Australia was elevated to a Strategic Partnership in 2020, and further celebrated with the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations in 2022. Our market potential is clearly demonstrated within the framework of the Thailand-Australia Free Trade Agreement (TAFTA), which has been effective since 2005 and is approaching its 20th anniversary in 2025.