- May 4, 2021
- 3,295
| To: <Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade of the Commonwealth of Australia> Owen From: <Sarabun@mfa.mail.go.th; Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Socialist Republic of Thailand> CC: <Honourable Martin Ferguson, Minister for Tourism of the Commonwealth of Australia> Subject: Proposal for Enhanced Bilateral Cooperation and People-to-People Ties Between Thailand and Australia Security Type: NSST 1.0 Architecture | Secret and Encrypted |
To the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Australia,
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Socialist Republic of Thailand extends its warmest greetings to the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade of the Commonwealth of Australia. It is with great honor that we convey our steadfast commitment to further strengthening the enduring bilateral relationship between our two nations.
Recognizing the positive trajectory of our diplomatic relations, Thailand sincerely affirms its position as a reliable and constructive partner to Australia. While the early years of the 21st century laid a solid foundation for our partnership through shared national interests, recent developments underscore the deep alignment between our countries on core principles such as democracy, the rule of law, regional cooperation, and human dignity. We are particularly encouraged by the success of joint patrol operations in Southeast Asia, where both Thailand and Australia have invested significant resources to ensure regional stability and the well-being of our peoples. This collaboration exemplifies the spirit of mutual trust and shared responsibility that defines our relationship.
Furthermore, the existence of two key bilateral agreements—the “Cultural Agreement Between the Government of Australia and the Government of Thailand” and the “Thailand-Australia Partnership on Food Security” communique—provides a robust framework for future cooperation. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand believes that adopting a more liberalized reciprocal visa policy would further deepen people-to-people ties, fostering long-term cultural, economic, and social connections. This vision of enhanced mobility and goodwill serves as a guiding principle in our pursuit of an even stronger and more harmonious partnership.
In the spirit of transparency, the Government of Thailand acknowledges that certain segments within the Australian government—and potentially among its allies—may harbor reservations about our country’s adoption of a socialist mode of production. However, we remain deeply confident that the progress achieved thus far demonstrates the viability of peaceful coexistence and constructive collaboration between diverse economic systems. At a time when many around the world continue to grapple with the lingering effects of Cold War-era divisions, Thailand believes that, together with Australia, we can transcend outdated paradigms and champion a more inclusive and forward-looking global order.
In this context, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand respectfully proposes that the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Australia consider hosting the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Thailand at a mutually convenient date and location. Our representative would be deeply honored to engage in a private and open dialogue with the Australian Minister for Tourism. Such an exchange would provide an invaluable opportunity to explore ways to enhance freedom of movement between our nations, thereby strengthening people-to-people ties and fostering greater mutual understanding.
The Socialist Republic of Thailand remains unwavering in its dedication to the principles of democracy, the rule of law, and human dignity—values that we are committed to promoting alongside Australia on both regional and international stages. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand looks forward to a positive response from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Australia, confident that continued dialogue will pave the way for a future in which our peoples enjoy respect, prosperity, and security. Together, we can build a partnership that not only benefits our nations but also contributes to a more peaceful and equitable world.
Recognizing the positive trajectory of our diplomatic relations, Thailand sincerely affirms its position as a reliable and constructive partner to Australia. While the early years of the 21st century laid a solid foundation for our partnership through shared national interests, recent developments underscore the deep alignment between our countries on core principles such as democracy, the rule of law, regional cooperation, and human dignity. We are particularly encouraged by the success of joint patrol operations in Southeast Asia, where both Thailand and Australia have invested significant resources to ensure regional stability and the well-being of our peoples. This collaboration exemplifies the spirit of mutual trust and shared responsibility that defines our relationship.
Furthermore, the existence of two key bilateral agreements—the “Cultural Agreement Between the Government of Australia and the Government of Thailand” and the “Thailand-Australia Partnership on Food Security” communique—provides a robust framework for future cooperation. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand believes that adopting a more liberalized reciprocal visa policy would further deepen people-to-people ties, fostering long-term cultural, economic, and social connections. This vision of enhanced mobility and goodwill serves as a guiding principle in our pursuit of an even stronger and more harmonious partnership.
In the spirit of transparency, the Government of Thailand acknowledges that certain segments within the Australian government—and potentially among its allies—may harbor reservations about our country’s adoption of a socialist mode of production. However, we remain deeply confident that the progress achieved thus far demonstrates the viability of peaceful coexistence and constructive collaboration between diverse economic systems. At a time when many around the world continue to grapple with the lingering effects of Cold War-era divisions, Thailand believes that, together with Australia, we can transcend outdated paradigms and champion a more inclusive and forward-looking global order.
In this context, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand respectfully proposes that the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Australia consider hosting the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Thailand at a mutually convenient date and location. Our representative would be deeply honored to engage in a private and open dialogue with the Australian Minister for Tourism. Such an exchange would provide an invaluable opportunity to explore ways to enhance freedom of movement between our nations, thereby strengthening people-to-people ties and fostering greater mutual understanding.
The Socialist Republic of Thailand remains unwavering in its dedication to the principles of democracy, the rule of law, and human dignity—values that we are committed to promoting alongside Australia on both regional and international stages. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand looks forward to a positive response from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Australia, confident that continued dialogue will pave the way for a future in which our peoples enjoy respect, prosperity, and security. Together, we can build a partnership that not only benefits our nations but also contributes to a more peaceful and equitable world.
Yours in Diplomacy,
Surakiart Sathirathai
Minister of Foreign Affairs
Republic of Thailand
Digital Diplomatic Communication
