Anutin pushes stronger Thailand-Australia ties on Sydney visit

Legacy Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul visited Sydney, Australia, on August 18, 2025, to strengthen bilateral ties between Thailand and Australia. He met with New South Wales Governor Margaret Beazley at Government House, where they discussed expanding cooperation in multiple sectors. Anutin highlighted that this marked the first official Thai prime ministerial visit to Australia in 14 years.

He praised Australia as a strategic regional partner and thanked Beazley for her engagement with the Thai community in New South Wales. The visit came as both nations seek to enhance trade, aiming to boost the value of automotive exports and maintain Thailand's position as Australia's leading exporter of pickup trucks. During his visit, Anutin also noted that around 30,000 Thai nationals currently reside in New South Wales, and approximately 10,000 Thai students are pursuing education at leading universities in the state.

These Thai students offer opportunities for enhanced research collaboration, student exchanges, and workforce development in future industries. Anutin further welcomed the growing tourism between Thailand and Australia, with around 800,000 Australian tourists visiting Thailand in 2025, reflecting the strong people-to-people ties between the two countries.

He expressed gratitude to the New South Wales government for its support of the Thai community and Thai cultural activities, including the Sydney Lunar Festival. He also highlighted the upcoming Thailand Grand Festival, which will be organized by the Royal Thai Consulate-General in Sydney in September.