Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra and President of the Republic of Indonesia Prabowo Subianto have agreed to elevate the Thai-Indonesian bilateral relations to Strategic Partnership, marking a significant milestone in celebration of the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries this year.

The agreement was reached when the Indonesian President paid an official visit to Thailand on 19 May 2025, at the invitation of Prime Minister Paetongtarn. This was the first official visit to Thailand of an Indonesian President in 20 years.

During the visit, the two leaders co-chaired the inaugural Leaders’ Consultation on elevating bilateral relations between the two countries. As Strategic Partners, both leaders emphasized the importance of strengthening and deepening cooperation in three major areas:

Political and Security Cooperation – Promoting collaboration between law enforcement agencies to address transnational crimes, cybercrimes, and mutual legal assistance; enhancing engagement between defense agencies, including cooperation in the defense industry.

Economic Cooperation – Deepening trade and investment ties, including through the first Joint Trade Committee (JTC) to be held in Thailand in 2025, promoting food security, standardization of the halal industry, tourism collaboration, energy security, green growth, and digital economy.

Socio-Cultural Cooperation – Enhancing collaboration in development cooperation, promoting education through student and academic exchanges, advancing science and technology cooperation, enhancing cooperation in healthcare, culture, creative economy, and strengthening people-to-people ties.

In their joint statement, the Thai Prime Minister and the Indonesian President reaffirmed their shared commitment to ASEAN’s unity, resilience, centrality, and inclusiveness, in promoting peace, stability, cooperation, and development in the region and beyond. 

In light of the global uncertainties, both sides agreed on the importance of leveraging ASEAN’s collective market size and deepening intra-ASEAN economic integration, enhancing regional economic resilience, and promoting broader partnerships with external partners.

On this occasion, the two leaders also witnessed the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Public Health of the Kingdom of Thailand and the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Indonesia on Health Cooperation.

The Indonesian President extended a cordial invitation to Prime Minister Paetongtarn to visit Indonesia at a mutually convenient date, which she accepted with pleasure. Both leaders also agreed to convene the Second Leaders’ Consultation in Indonesia at a mutually convenient date.