Australia, Thailand to Strengthen Cooperation on Transnational Crime

Australia and Thailand have reaffirmed their cooperation in the fight against transnational crime in both the physical and digital realms.

Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul is visiting Canberra, where he has met with his Australian counterpart Anthony Albanese.

Law enforcement agencies from both countries are working together to crack down on drug, illegal tobacco and human trafficking, as well as cybercrime, financial fraud and money laundering.

The two countries have agreed to strengthen cooperation between their law enforcement, customs, immigration and financial intelligence agencies to disrupt criminal networks, financial flows and supply chains.

The two leaders also acknowledged the close relationship between Thai authorities and the Australian Federal Police (AFP), as well as Australia’s support for Thailand’s Anti Cyber Scam Centre (ACSC).

Related Stories

“Supported by AFP Operation Firestorm, this cooperation has contributed to a significant number of arrests and the disruption of a substantial number of scam centres across Southeast Asia,” the statement said.

Fraudsters were using the offices as part of a scheme to trick people into paying them money under threat of arrest, deportation or physical harm.

Australia and Thailand also agreed to establish a biennial defence ministers’ meeting, further strengthening defence cooperation.

Australia is backing Thailand’s application to join the OECD, and the two countries already cooperate through a number of agreements,

Two-way trade between Australia and Thailand reached approximately $32.4 billion (US$22.9 billion) in 2025, placing Thailand fourth among Australia’s Southeast Asian trading partners and 11th overall.

That figure is nearly triple what it was before the two countries signed the Thailand–Australia Free Trade Agreement (TAFTA) in 2005.