Australian Prime Minister officially welcomed Thai Prime Minister Anutin with a 19-gun salute and an inspection of the honor guard. Today, executives from nine private companies accompanied him to meet Australian leaders before signing two significant agreements.
On 19 Aug 2026 at 09:00 local time in Canberra (three hours ahead of Thailand), at the Ceremonial Forecourt in front of the Australian Commonwealth Parliament House, Ms. Ratchada Thanadirek, spokesperson for the Office of the Prime Minister, announced that Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Anutin Charnvirakul participated in the official welcome ceremony on the occasion of his official visit to the Commonwealth of Australia.
Upon the Prime Minister's arrival at the Commonwealth Parliament House, The Honourable Anthony Albanese MP, Prime Minister of the Commonwealth of Australia, warmly welcomed him before leading the Prime Minister into the official welcome ceremony at the Ceremonial Forecourt, where a 19-gun salute was fired. The Prime Minister then inspected the honor guard amid the playing of the Thai and Australian national anthems. Both prime ministers introduced their official delegations. The ceremony was conducted with dignity and grace, reflecting the close friendship and importance of Thai-Australian relations.
After the welcome ceremony, both Prime Ministers proceeded into the Parliament building. Anutin signed the guest book at the Marble Foyer and took commemorative photos with the Australian Prime Minister, following Australia's protocol for welcoming high-level foreign guests.
The two leaders then held a small-group official meeting in the Australian Prime Minister's office in a friendly and constructive atmosphere. They exchanged views on strengthening the Thai-Australian strategic partnership to make it more concrete, and discussed shared priorities including economic cooperation, reducing trade barriers and facilitating trade, as well as cooperation on preventing and combating transnational and cybercrime.
They exchanged experiences and strategies to jointly address shared challenges, affirming their commitment to advancing Thai-Australian relations continuously and turning existing cooperation into tangible outcomes for the benefit of both peoples.
Today at 09:50, the two leaders participated in a full bilateral meeting in the Cabinet Room before witnessing the signing of two key agreements: the Joint Statement on Transnational Crime and the Leaders’ Statement on Deepening Economic Engagement. This was followed by a joint press conference at the Prime Minister’s Courtyard. Additionally, Prime Minister Anutin met and held talks with The Hon. Angus Taylor MP, Leader of the Australian Opposition.
Prime Minister Anutin also led a delegation of 14 Thai private sector executives from nine companies, including:
1. RATCH Australia Limited, represented by CEO Mr. Puttikan Aurat and Community Engagement Advisor Ms. Hilda Luong.
2. Supalai Public Company Limited, represented by Dr. Prateep Tangmatitham, Chairman of the Board and CEO, and Dr. Prasat Tangmatitham, Director and Chair of Corporate Governance and Sustainability.
3. Thai Beverage Public Company Limited, represented by Mr. Sophon Ratcharuksa, Deputy CEO.
4. B.Grimm Power Public Company Limited, represented by Mr. Nopdet Kransut, CEO for Thailand, Malaysia, and Industrial Solutions.
5. Banpu Public Company Limited, represented by Mr. Thanarat Chaisiri, Executive Director, and Mr. Craig Gillard, CEO and Managing Director.
6. Central Group, represented by Mr. Supharat Chirathivat, Chief Corporate Development Officer.
7. Frasers Property Limited, represented by Group CEO Mr. Panote Siriwattanapong, Frasers Property Australia CEO Mr. Cameron Leggatt, and Managing Director Australia of Frasers Property Industrial Mr. Ian Barter.
8. Minor International Public Company Limited, represented by Mr. Craig Hooley, Chief Operating Officer of Minor Hotels Australasia.
9. PTT Public Company Limited, represented by Mr. Waithayang Kullavanijchai, Assistant Senior Executive Vice President of International Trade.
In the afternoon at 13:15, the Prime Minister and delegation visited Government House to pay respects to H.E. the Hon. Ms. Sam Mostyn AC, Governor-General of Australia. At 14:20, they proceeded to lay a wreath at the Australian War Memorial to honor Australian soldiers who died in war.
At 14:55, the Thai delegation visited the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), touring the Cotton Laboratory and witnessing the signing of a Letter of Intent for cooperation between Thailand’s National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA) and CSIRO.
At 15:35, the Prime Minister and his wife visited Wat Dhammatharo to pay respects, present monk robes to the abbot, pay homage to the statue of King Bhumibol Adulyadej, and plant a Magnolia tree from the 'Inspiration' series as a commemorative gesture.
The day concluded at 18:35 with an official dinner hosted by the Australian Prime Minister at The Lodge residence, honoring Prime Minister Anutin and his wife. The event underscored the strong ties between the two countries throughout the visit.
