Bangkok sends Anutin to Australia and New Zealand for a six-day trade and investment drive. He will court business in Canberra before heading to Wellington for a strategic upgrade, a push to triple trade by 2045 and restored direct flights once more.
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul launches a high-stakes six-day mission to Australia and New Zealand on Monday, chasing new markets, investment and technology. Canberra talks will target clean energy, science and business deals, while Wellington will bring a Strategic Partnership upgrade, a drive to triple trade by 2045 and a push to restore direct Bangkok-Auckland flights.
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul will begin a six-day mission to Australia and New Zealand on Monday. Bangkok is targeting export markets, investment, technology transfers and deeper strategic ties.
Mr Anutin, also Minister of Interior, will visit Australia from August 17-20. He then travels to New Zealand from August 20-22. Both visits end long gaps in official trips by Thai prime ministers.
Prime Minister’s Office Spokesperson Ratchada Thanadirek confirmed the programme on Friday. Mr Anutin is travelling at the invitation of both countries’ prime ministers. Crucially, Bangkok has placed commercial results at the centre of the mission.
It wants wider markets for Thai goods and more investment into Thailand. Thai companies will also travel with the delegation to pursue business directly.
Anutin opens Australia mission with trade, investment and strategic partnership talks in Canberra
Australia will be the first stop. Notably, no Thai prime minister has made an official visit there for 14 years. The trip also comes ahead of the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations in 2027. Mr Anutin will hold talks with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. Their agenda covers trade, investment, security, clean energy, science, technology and innovation.
As part of this, both leaders will advance their Joint Action Plan for the 2026-2029 Strategic Partnership. The plan provides the framework for wider bilateral cooperation.
Yet Bangkok wants the programme to extend well beyond government meetings. Thai private-sector representatives will therefore join the Australian leg. The government wants established political ties converted into business opportunities.
In parallel, Thai and Australian executives will meet at a dedicated Business Networking event. Thailand’s Board of Investment will organise it with Austrade. The event will connect Thai entrepreneurs with Australian companies and potential partners. It will also give Thai businesses opportunities to examine investments and expansion. Bangkok, in turn, will pitch Thailand directly to Australian investors.
Australian investment drive targets future industries, clean energy and technology transfers to Thailand
Future industries and clean energy will receive particular attention. Specifically, Thailand wants Australian investment capable of creating jobs and transferring technology. Australian businesses will be encouraged to examine opportunities inside Thailand.
Thai executives can simultaneously pursue partners and opportunities in the Australian market. Consequently, private-sector negotiations will run alongside the political programme.
Technology represents another major target. On another front, Thailand plans stronger cooperation between its National Science and Technology Development Agency and Australia’s CSIRO. Bangkok wants research moved towards commercial applications. It also wants Thai startups and innovators exposed to Australia’s innovation ecosystem. Those connections are intended to help Thai businesses reach international markets.
The Australian programme therefore combines several economic objectives. Bangkok wants capital, technology and commercial partnerships while opening doors for Thai companies. At the same time, clean energy and scientific cooperation will broaden the existing strategic relationship. Security will remain part of the talks with Canberra. However, the accompanying business delegation gives the visit a strong commercial dimension.
Anutin heads to New Zealand for strategic partnership upgrade and expanded trade and investment ties
Mr Anutin will leave Australia for New Zealand on August 20. There, another economic programme will accompany a significant diplomatic upgrade. The visit marks the 70th anniversary of Thai-New Zealand diplomatic relations. Moreover, it will be the first official visit by a Thai prime minister in 13 years. Mr Anutin will hold formal talks with New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon.
Most significantly, both governments plan to elevate bilateral relations to a formal Strategic Partnership. A joint declaration is scheduled during the visit.
The new framework will cover economics, trade, investment, technology, education and tourism. Accordingly, Bangkok sees the upgrade as a platform for broader long-term cooperation. It also wants immediate commercial activity around the diplomatic move.
Trade will occupy a central place in the New Zealand programme. Thailand wants greater access for its agricultural products, food and consumer goods. In addition, Bangkok will promote opportunities for Thai retail businesses. New Zealand investment in Thailand is another priority. Mr Anutin will therefore meet companies already interested in investment opportunities.
Thai firms target New Zealand deals as Bangkok seeks to triple trade and attract new investment by 2045
Among them is Skyline Enterprises, which operates in tourism. Separately, electrical appliance company Fisher & Paykel is scheduled for direct discussions. The meetings will allow the government to pitch Thailand to specific New Zealand investors.
Meanwhile, more than 10 senior Thai private-sector representatives will accompany Mr Anutin. Their programme will focus heavily on investment, partnerships and new business.
Business matching will provide another route into the New Zealand market. Thai executives will meet local entrepreneurs and examine potential commercial agreements. Furthermore, they will hold discussions with New Zealand’s Minister of Trade and Investment. Those talks will focus on investment and closer cooperation between both private sectors. Bangkok wants government-level relations converted into orders, investments and business opportunities.
The targets extend far beyond next week. Thailand and New Zealand want to triple bilateral trade by 2045. Against that backdrop, both countries also want greater use of their existing economic agreement. The Thailand-New Zealand Economic Partnership Agreement already provides a mechanism for expanding commerce. The planned Strategic Partnership will add a wider political framework around those economic ties.
New Zealand ambassador meets Anutin as both sides prepare for trade push and strategic partnership
Preparations were discussed at Government House on Thursday. New Zealand Ambassador Raylene Siale Tagaloa Liufalani met Mr Anutin at the Thai Khu Fah Building. The meeting began at 2.30 pm after the ambassador assumed her duties. Significantly, Ms Liufalani is New Zealand’s first female ambassador to Thailand. Mr Anutin welcomed her and congratulated her on the appointment.
During the meeting, both sides discussed trade, investment, technology, education and tourism. They also reviewed preparations for the August 20-22 visit. For her part, Ms Liufalani confirmed that Mr Luxon was ready to welcome Mr Anutin. She expressed confidence that the visit would strengthen cooperation, particularly international trade. The target of tripling bilateral trade by 2045 featured in those discussions.
Beforehand, the ambassador conveyed condolences over several recent events in Thailand. She expressed condolences following the passing of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit, the Queen Mother. She also offered condolences over the passing of Her Royal Highness Princess Bajrakitiyabha Narendira Debyavati. Additionally, Ms Liufalani conveyed condolences following the school shooting in Nonthaburi province.
Mr Anutin told the ambassador that more than 10 leading Thai companies would join his delegation. Their senior representatives will meet New Zealand counterparts during the visit. They will also hold talks with the country’s Minister of Trade and Investment. In effect, Bangkok is putting private businesses inside the official programme. The aim is to identify deals while government negotiations are underway.
Thailand and New Zealand target transnational crime while Bangkok pushes return of direct Auckland flights
Security will form another part of the emerging Strategic Partnership. In particular, both governments plan greater cooperation against transnational crime. The issue is a priority because such crimes affect citizens and their property.
Prevention and suppression will therefore become part of the expanded bilateral relationship. That work will sit beside economic, technological, educational and tourism cooperation.
Aviation links are also on Bangkok’s agenda. In a separate push, Thailand wants direct flights between Bangkok and Auckland restored. The government says resumption would reduce travel times and difficulties. Direct services would support tourism, education, business and other travel. They would also strengthen direct connections between people in both countries.
The proposed route carries economic significance within the wider programme. Easier travel could support tourism while helping companies develop bilateral business. Likewise, direct services would make educational travel more convenient. The government therefore views aviation connectivity as part of the expanding relationship. The proposal will accompany the broader effort to strengthen people-to-people travel.
Bangkok sets commercial targets for Anutin mission with new markets, investment and technology in focus
Ms Ratchada said the government expects overseas missions to produce identifiable opportunities for Thailand. “The government wants every overseas trip by the Prime Minister to create opportunities for Thailand,” she said.
Bangkok has consequently attached specific commercial targets to both visits. Thai goods should gain wider markets, while entrepreneurs should secure new partners and opportunities.
Thailand also wants more foreign capital, technology and knowledge. Beyond that, Bangkok wants stronger connections between Thai companies and established international markets. Private-sector representatives have therefore been included in the delegation. They will pursue commercial opportunities while Mr Anutin conducts government-level negotiations. The approach will operate in both Australia and New Zealand.
“This visit, therefore, is not just about high-level discussions, but has a clear objective,” Ms Ratchada said. “Thai products must have expanded markets; Thai entrepreneurs must have new trading partners and opportunities.” She also said Thailand must attract more “investment, technology, and knowledge.”
Government seeks tangible gains from Australia and New Zealand through business and strategic ties
“The people must benefit from economic expansion, increased safety, and improved connectivity,” Ms Ratchada added. She also highlighted the decision to bring businesses into the delegation. “Including the private sector in the delegation ensures that these opportunities can be leveraged into real businesses and investments.”
Finally, she set out the government’s wider objective for the mission. “The government aims to transform positive international relations into tangible benefits for Thailand and its people,” she said. The two visits provide different routes towards that goal. Australia offers investment, clean energy, science, technology and innovation alongside trade.
New Zealand presents a different package. Above all, it offers a formal Strategic Partnership and a target to triple bilateral trade by 2045. It also offers opportunities for Thai agricultural products, food, consumer goods and retail businesses. Investment from New Zealand companies forms the other side of that commercial drive.
In Australia, the BOI-Austrade event will provide the main private-sector platform. Conversely, business matching and direct corporate meetings will anchor the New Zealand commercial programme. Mr Anutin will also personally meet New Zealand companies considering investment in Thailand. Thai executives, meanwhile, will pursue their own market and investment opportunities.
Diplomatic anniversaries frame Anutin mission as Thailand pushes trade, investment and strategic links
The diplomatic timing adds weight to both programmes. Thailand and Australia approach 75 years of diplomatic relations next year. Thailand and New Zealand are marking 70 years of relations this year.
Against this backdrop, Bangkok is seeking broader economic and strategic cooperation. The government has also attached concrete business programmes to both anniversaries.
Mr Anutin leaves for Australia on August 17 before travelling onward to New Zealand on August 20. His official programme concludes on August 22. During the mission, he will meet both prime ministers and senior business figures. His delegation will pursue exports, investment, technology, security cooperation and improved transport links.
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By the trip’s conclusion, Thailand and New Zealand plan to have formally upgraded their relationship. Australia and Thailand will have advanced their Strategic Partnership Joint Action Plan for 2026-2029. Meanwhile, companies from all three countries will have held direct commercial discussions. Bangkok is therefore using the six-day mission to push economic and strategic ties on two fronts.
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