Indonesia and Thailand Strengthen Bilateral Ties with New Agreements

Jakarta, Indonesia - On August 3, 2026, Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto welcomed Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul at the Merdeka Palace in Jakarta, marking the first official visit by a Thai Prime Minister to Indonesia in 15 years. The event featured a ceremonial welcome with military honors and cultural performances, including a traditional Jaipongan dance from West Java.

During their bilateral meeting, Prabowo and Anutin discussed a range of topics aimed at strengthening cooperation between the two nations. Notably, they signed two memoranda of understanding (MoUs), including a Roadmap of Strategic Partnership for 2026-2030, which outlines collaborative efforts in various sectors such as security, trade, and education.

Prabowo emphasized the importance of enhancing bilateral trade, setting an ambitious target of reaching $20 billion (approximately Rp359 trillion) by 2030. He expressed optimism that this target could be achieved through the implementation of the strategic partnership roadmap. The leaders also agreed to facilitate trade in agricultural products, with Thailand offering to supply high-quality rice to Indonesia, while Indonesia would increase its urea fertilizer exports to Thailand.

Security cooperation was another key focus of the discussions. Both leaders agreed to enhance collaboration in combating transnational crime, particularly online scams. Prabowo expressed gratitude to Thailand for repatriating nearly 1,000 Indonesian citizens who had fallen victim to such scams. The two nations plan to strengthen intelligence sharing and joint investigations to dismantle criminal networks.

In the defense sector, Thailand proposed supplying 36 amphibious wheeled armored vehicles to Indonesia’s Marine Corps, a move that could enhance Indonesia's military capabilities. Anutin expressed appreciation for the opportunity to introduce Thai defense products to Indonesia, noting that the model is actively used by the Royal Thai Marine Corps.

Moreover, both countries committed to fostering cooperation in the halal industry, recognizing their potential to create an integrated halal supply chain for regional and global markets. The leaders also discussed plans for an Indonesia-Thailand Energy Forum to promote sustainable energy transitions.

As part of their broader regional engagement, Prabowo and Anutin reiterated their support for ASEAN’s efforts to facilitate peace in Myanmar, advocating for dialogue and humanitarian access to affected communities. They also exchanged views on the situation in the Middle East, emphasizing the need for diplomatic solutions and adherence to international law.

This visit and the agreements reached signify a renewed commitment to enhancing bilateral relations between Indonesia and Thailand across multiple sectors, reflecting the importance of collaborative efforts in addressing regional challenges.