Thai Ambassador Highlights Investment Opportunities at Australia-ASEAN Forum
On 29 September 2026, Thai Ambassador to Australia, H.E. Ms. Arjaree Sriratanaban, participated in the Australia, ASEAN Business Forum 2026 (AABF 2026) in Adelaide. She joined a panel discussion titled “Mobilising Investment Across Australia and ASEAN,” where she highlighted the strong ties between Thailand and Australia. The ambassador emphasized the shared commitment of both governments to deepen economic engagement, particularly in sectors like clean energy, food security, and digital economy. She also noted the recent visit of Thailand’s Prime Minister to Australia in August 2026, which added momentum to these efforts.
The ambassador underscored Thailand’s efforts to improve its investment environment, including its goal to join the OECD by 2028. She encouraged greater use of existing trade agreements, such as the Thailand-Australia Free Trade Agreement (TAFTA), the ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand Free Trade Area (AANZFTA), and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP). The newly concluded ASEAN Digital Economy Framework Agreement (DEFA) was also mentioned as a tool to boost regional trade and investment in the digital economy.
The AABF 2026 brought together senior representatives from government and business sectors, including Australian ministers, the Secretary-General of ASEAN, and executives from leading Thai companies. Participants like Mr. Earp Chaowaphat Siriphatrawan of Amora Hotels and Resorts and Mr. Andrew Turner of CPF Australia discussed business opportunities and sector-specific collaborations. Earlier, on 28 September 2026, the Governor of South Australia hosted a reception for the forum’s speakers and panellists at Government House.