Bangkok: Deputy Prime Minister Pakorn Nilapraphan met with Her Excellency Ms. Angela Macdonald, the Australian Ambassador to Thailand, to discuss intensifying efforts to combat transnational crime, advancing strategic partnerships, and supporting Thailand's entry into the OECD.
According to Thai News Agency, the meeting served as a platform for the Deputy Prime Minister to express gratitude towards the Australian Ambassador for her congratulatory remarks regarding his recent appointment. He also acknowledged her contributions to fostering strong bilateral relations during her tenure. Meanwhile, the Australian side recognized the deep-rooted ties between the two nations, highlighting cooperation in military, cultural, and people-to-people domains.
The discussions addressed Thailand's aspirations to join the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) by 2028, with an ongoing technical review by the OECD committee. The Deputy Prime Minister extended his thanks to Australia for its support in enhancing Thailand's capabilities under the Mekong-Australia Partnership (MAP) framework. He also praised Australia's role in upgrading public sector operations to meet international standards and acknowledged the scholarships provided through the MAP framework, reflecting on his experience as an alumnus of an Australian university.
Both sides emphasized the importance of strengthening cooperation in preventing transnational crime, particularly in tackling online fraud gangs. The Deputy Prime Minister reaffirmed Thailand's commitment to addressing this issue, including efforts to enhance digital literacy among the population.
The meeting also reviewed the accomplishments of the first Joint Plan of Action (2022-2025) under the Thailand - Australia Strategic Partnership, noting successful cooperation in security, economic initiatives, and people-to-people connectivity. Both countries expressed readiness to further develop these areas for mutual benefit.
As the meeting concluded, the Deputy Prime Minister extended his best wishes to the Australian Ambassador as her term of duty ends in May, and reiterated the importance of continued collaboration with Australia across various sectors.