Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs of Thailand and Secretary of Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Australia co-chaired the 17th Thailand - Australia Senior Officials' Talks. Both sides discussed ways to enhance cooperation to support the reopening of borders and post-COVID-19 recovery under Thailand's APEC host year, and plans for commemorating the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations in 2022.

On 24 November 2021, H.E. Mr. Thani Thongphakdi, Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs of Thailand, and H.E. Ms. Kathryn Campbell, Secretary of Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Australia, co-chaired the 17th Thailand - Australia Senior Officials' Talks (SOTs) via video conference. The SOTs serves as a platform for both countries to exchange views on regional issues of strategic importance and foster stronger cooperation in areas of mutual strength and interests under Thailand-Australia’s Strategic Partnership.

As Strategic Partners and under Thailand's APEC host year in 2022, both sides discussed ways and means to enhance cooperation to support the reopening of borders and post-COVID-19 recovery in bilateral, sub-regional, and regional frameworks. Key areas of cooperation include public health and vaccines, sustainable development and climate change response through the concept of Bio, Circular, and Green (BCG) Economy Model, trade and investment, digital economy and human security as well as restoring of people-to-people links through tourism, education, and sports. The Thai side appreciated Australia’s recent easing of border control measures by allowing fully- vaccinated international students to enter Australia from 1 December 2021 onwards, in conjuntion with the resumption of Bangkok-Sydney flights. In addition, both Thailand and Australia discussed plans for commemorating the 70th anniversary of the establishment of their diplomatic relations in 2022.

The two Permanent Secretaries exchanged views on strategic developments in the Indo-Pacific region, including situation in Myanmar and the significance of humanitarian assistance. Australia reiterated its support for ASEAN Centrality in the regional architecture and reaffirmed its determination to further enhance constructive cooperation with Thailand and other ASEAN member countries to promote an environment conducive to peace and security in the region.

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