Thailand, Indonesia agree to upgrade ties to strategic partnership

By Berk Kutay Gokmen

ISTANBUL (AA) – Indonesia and Thailand on Monday elevated their ties to a strategic partnership and pledged to boost trade and investment, as Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto met Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra in Bangkok.

“During the bilateral meeting, we discussed various strategic steps to strengthen cooperation between Indonesia and Thailand, particularly in the fields of security and defense, trade and investment, food and energy security, as well as other strategic sectors,” Prabowo said on X.

Prabowo was on an official visit to Thailand, the first by an Indonesian president in 20 years, coinciding with the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two nations.

“We also witnessed the signing of several memoranda of understanding that will serve as the foundation for our strategic partnership moving forward,” he added.

He emphasized the two nations' commitment to working together to strengthen their shared role in maintaining stability and progress in the ASEAN region.

-'Historic chapter'

Paetongtarn said the strategic partnership “opens a new historic chapter in our long-standing friendship,” coinciding “with the celebration of 75th anniversary of our diplomatic relations between this year.”

“We agreed to increase cooperation between our armed forces and security agencies to tackle transnational crimes, in particular drug trafficking and online scams. We will further collaborations on trade and investments, especially on food and energy security, fisheries, halal products, green economy, education and healthcare,” the Thai premier said.

“Both of us welcomed the upcoming new flights connections between Bangkok and Medan and Surabaya, and between Phuket and Medan in the near future, which will help promote tourism and business. Thailand and Indonesia will also work together to promote cruise and yacht tourism, wellness and MICE tourism.”

She added that as founding members and the two largest economies in ASEAN, “both our countries will join hands to accelerate ASEAN economic integration and increase regional strength amidst global economic uncertainties.”