(AseanAll) — On August 18, 2026, at Crown Towers Hotel, Sydney, Commonwealth of Australia, Thai Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Anutin Charnvirakul delivered a keynote address at the “Thailand–Australia Investment and Business Partnership Reception” under the theme ‘Thailand and Australia, A Strategic Partnership for Growth.’ The event was attended by representatives of the public and private sectors from Thailand and Australia. On this occasion, the Prime Minister extended his invitation for Australian businesses to use Thailand as an investment base and gateway to the ASEAN market of almost 700 million population.
Thailand and Australia will mark the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations in 2027. Over the years, the two countries have been working together to build a strong foundation in trade, investment, and people‑to‑people relations. This visit of the Prime Minister is not only to strengthen Government‑level ties but also to connect the business sectors and transform long‑standing relations into investment, job creation, and new economic opportunities. The Government’s role is to open doors and create a conducive environment, while the business sector is encouraged to turn these opportunities into tangible outcomes.
Amid global economic uncertainties stemming from geopolitics, technology, and supply chain changes, Thailand places importance on building resilience and economic immunity through a strong business ecosystem, promotion of technology and innovation, and establishment of cooperative networks with partner countries. This is in order for Thailand and the region to grow despite all the changes.
At the regional level, Thailand, as an ASEAN founding member and incoming ASEAN Chair in 2028, is committed to strengthening regional connectivity and resilience. The country is expanding economic and supply chain cooperation with various countries to make ASEAN a stronger, more connected, and more competitive region.
According to the Prime Minister, Thailand’s strengths lie not only in the size of its domestic market but also in its strategic location, industrial base, infrastructure, and trade networks with other countries. Investment and production in Thailand, therefore, does not simply mean an access to a single market, that is, the Thai market of approximately 66 million population, but also a connectivity to the ASEAN market of nearly 700 million people, with increasing trade and supply chain integration.
On Thailand-Australia economic cooperation, both countries share a strong foundation through the Thailand–Australia Free Trade Agreement which has been in force for over two decades. Economic structures of the two countries have complementary strengths, based on which there are potentials for cooperation expansion in 5 key sectors: agriculture and food, renewable energy and energy storage systems, digital and creative industries, advanced manufacturing, and education.
Additionally, investor confidence in Thailand remains strong. In 2025, investment promotion applications through the Board of Investment reached a record high of approximately AUD80 billion, an increase of 67% from the previous year, equivalent to around T1.87 trillion Baht. In the first half of 2026, applications already amounted to about AUD61 billion, which reflects that investors continue to see opportunities and choose Thailand as an investment base despite global economic uncertainties.
The Government is now accelerating its effort to make investment in Thailand more facilitative and competitive. The Thailand FastPass helps streamline project approval and start of businesses for qualified investors. Meanwhile, the “Skill Bridge” program focuses on developing workforce to serve the needs of future industries, i.e., digital technology, artificial intelligence (AI), biotechnology, and advanced manufacturing, and the “Utility Green Tariff” provides businesses with options to get access to renewable energy, thereby, promoting investments that prioritize carbon reduction and sustainability.
In conclusion, the Prime Minister invited Thai and Australian businesses to build upon nearly 75 years of trust and the foundation of the Free Trade Agreement, that has been in place for over two decades, to strengthen supply chains, expand investment, and foster cooperation in future industries. They are encouraged to use Thailand as both an investment base and a gateway to economic opportunities in the ASEAN region.
The Board of Investment (BOI) invited more than 53 leading Australian companies with high potential and those that align with Thailand’s investment direction to participate in the event. This includes business in the fields of technology, digital, agriculture and food, automotive, advanced manufacturing, mining, and education, such as ANCA, an advanced manufacturing company with operations and machinery production in Thailand; Canva, a design technology company interested in Thailand’s creative economy potential; and Hastings, a company in mining industry. Thailand was represented by major business operators, e.g., Thai Beverage, Gulf Development, Minor International, B.Grimm Power, and Mitr Phol Group.
Australian and Thai businesses attending the event reflected that the activity provided opportunities for direct networking and business matching. At the same time, meeting with the Prime Minister and key policymakers allowed Australian businesses to gain clearer insights into Thailand’s policy direction and investment opportunities, as well as to identify sectors where Australia’s strengths can connect with Thailand’s economic development priorities in the future.
