On 9 October 2026, H.E. Mr. Sarun Charoensuwan, Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs, on behalf of the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, joined H.E. Mr. Anutin Charnvirakul, Prime Minister, in the bilateral meeting with H.E. Mr. Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão, Prime Minister of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste, at Government House, on the occasion of the latter's official visit to Thailand.

This was the first official visit to Thailand by a Prime Minister of Timor-Leste in thirteen years, and the first since Timor-Leste became a member of ASEAN last year. The two leaders discussed ways to strengthen bilateral relations in all dimensions, as well as regional developments.

The two Prime Ministers welcomed the cordial relations between the two countries. They agreed to support regular high-level visits and activities to celebrate the 25th anniversary of diplomatic relations in 2027, as well as the first meeting of the Bilateral Consultations mechanism in Timor-Leste to follow up on the outcomes of this visit. They also agreed to expand defence cooperation, which is rooted in Thailand's significant role in peacekeeping and peacebuilding missions in Timor-Leste from 1999 to 2002. They further agreed to increase cooperation in combating online scams and other transnational crimes, both bilaterally and within the ASEAN framework.

On economic cooperation, both sides agreed to promote bilateral trade and investment, particularly in food security and rice trade. They also saw potential for investment in Timor-Leste in such sectors as agriculture and food processing, energy, infrastructure, and tourism and hospitality services. Both sides will speed up the conclusion of the Air Services Agreement to pave the way for the early launch of direct flights between Bangkok and Dili. The two sides also discussed development cooperation, through which Thailand has supported Timor-Leste for more than 25 years. They will finalise the Three-Year Development Cooperation Programme (2026 – 2028) at an early date, focusing on sustainable agriculture, community development, public health, human resource development, and ASEAN-related capacity building.

On this occasion, the Prime Minister of Timor-Leste expressed his profound gratitude to Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn for Her Royal Highness's gracious assistance through the Project on Children and Youth Development in six schools in Timor-Leste, as well as for the Princess Maha Chakri Award conferred on outstanding Timorese teachers.

Thailand reaffirmed its readiness to support Timor-Leste's full participation in the ASEAN Community, including its preparations to assume the ASEAN Chairmanship in the future. The two sides also exchanged views on the situation in Myanmar and Thailand – Cambodia relations.

Following the bilateral meeting, the two sides issued a Joint Statement, which will serve as a roadmap for their partnership in the years ahead. The Vice Minister, on behalf of the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, and H.E. Ms. Jesuína Maria Ferreira Gomes, Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation of Timor-Leste, on behalf of the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, exchanged a Memorandum of Understanding on the Establishment of a Mechanism for Bilateral Consultations between the two Ministries of Foreign Affairs, witnessed by the two Prime Ministers. The Vice Minister then attended the joint press conference of the two Prime Ministers and the official luncheon hosted by the Prime Minister in honour of the Prime Minister of Timor-Leste, with representatives of the public and private sectors in attendance.