Bangkok, May 19th, 2025 – In a historic move marking the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations, Thailand and Indonesia have officially upgraded their bilateral relationship to a Strategic Partnership, signaling deeper cooperation across trade, investment, security, and regional challenges. The announcement came during Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto’s first official visit to Thailand in two decades, hosted by Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra in Bangkok on Monday.
The agreement, formalized under the Leaders’ Consultation framework, aims to improve Southeast Asia’s two largest economies through a structured roadmap. Speaking at a joint news conference, Prime Minister Paetongtarn explained the creation of a joint trade committee, set to meet later this year, to explore new avenues for economic teamwork. “This partnership is a commitment to shared prosperity and stability,” she stated, highlighting plans to expand market access for Indonesian agricultural, fisheries, and MSME products in Thailand.
President Prabowo agreed, calling the partnership “A new foundation for stronger, broader, and more strategic relations.” The leaders agreed to establish a joint working team to draft a Plan of Action, identifying key sectors for deliverables at future high-level meetings. The roadmap will prioritize economic growth, tourism, Halal standards, and agricultural innovation, alongside regional cooperation within ASEAN.
One big focus of the partnership is tackling transnational issues, including cyber scams and drug trafficking. Both nations pledged to enhance intelligence-sharing and joint operations to combat these threats, reflecting shared concerns about border security and organized crime. The agreement also is part of Thailand’s “Safety Thailand” vision, which aims to reduce workplace injuries and fatalities, and aligns with Indonesia’s commitment to environmental sustainability and net-zero emissions by 2060.
The Strategic Partnership builds on the outcomes of the 10th Joint Commission for Bilateral Cooperation (JCM) held in Bangkok on May 2, 2025, where Foreign Ministers Sugiono of Indonesia and Maris Sangiampongsa of Thailand laid the groundwork for this upgrade. The JCM stressed expanding economic ties, with Indonesia seeking greater access for its products and Thailand aiming to boost tourism and cultural exchanges.
