Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has concluded his two-day official visit to Indonesia, capping the first trip by a Thai premier to Southeast Asia’s largest economy in 15 years with an ambitious package of economic, security, and regional initiatives aimed at deepening ties between the two nations.
The trip, running from August 3rd to 4th and held at the invitation of Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, centered on translating the countries’ Strategic Partnership into practical cooperation as both governments seek to bolster economic resilience amid global uncertainty.
Key Takeaways
- Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul completed a two-day official visit to Indonesia from August 3 to August 4, 2026, marking the first visit by a Thai premier to the country in 15 years.
- Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and President Prabowo Subianto agreed to accelerate efforts to raise bilateral trade to US$23 billion.
- Delegates witnessed the signing of four memorandums of understanding covering tourism promotion, strategic marketing, carbon market development, and corporate economic cooperation.
- Indonesian authorities formally approved the rebranding of Bank Maspion to PT Bank Kasikorn Indonesia Tbk following long-term investment by Kasikornbank.
- Thailand and Indonesia committed to enhanced intelligence sharing and joint enforcement actions against online scam operations, human trafficking, and drug smuggling.
Economic agenda shifts into high gear
Meeting in Jakarta, Anutin and Prabowo agreed to accelerate efforts to raise bilateral trade from roughly US$19.5 billion to US$23 billion, with both leaders expressing confidence that the target could be achieved ahead of schedule.
Thailand has positioned itself as a key economic partner, promoting greater agricultural trade and regional supply-chain connectivity while encouraging Indonesian companies to expand operations in Thailand as a gateway to mainland ASEAN.
The visit also produced a series of concrete commercial outcomes. Attendees witnessed the signing of four memorandums of understanding covering tourism promotion, strategic marketing, carbon market development, and broader economic cooperation between Thai and Indonesian business organizations.
In another notable development, Thailand’s regional banking footprint expanded after Indonesian authorities formally approved the rebranding of Bank Maspion to PT Bank Kasikorn Indonesia Tbk.
The change marked the culmination of a multi-year investment by one of Thailand’s largest private banks, Kasikornbank (KBank), in the Indonesian lender. KBank’s gradual increase in ownership stake eventually transformed Bank Maspion into its Indonesian subsidiary. Anutin described the rebranding as reflecting long-term confidence in Indonesia’s economic prospects.
Speaking to his Cabinet after returning to Bangkok, Anutin said he had encouraged Indonesian business leaders to invest in Thailand while promoting greater opportunities for Thai products and services as well as small and medium-sized enterprises.
Joining forces against transnational crime
On security matters, Thailand and Indonesia agreed to strengthen cooperation against transnational crime, including online scam operations and human & drug trafficking, through expanded intelligence sharing and closer coordination between law enforcement agencies.
Anutin described cybercrime as a borderless challenge requiring international cooperation, noting Thailand had helped facilitate the safe return of more than 1,000 Indonesian nationals who had fallen victim to scam syndicates operating elsewhere in the region.
Prabowo thanked Thailand for that assistance, describing it as a meaningful indication of the close friendship between the two countries while reaffirming Indonesia’s commitment to expanding joint efforts against emerging security threats.
A shared vision for ASEAN’s next chapter
Regional cooperation also featured prominently, with Anutin meeting ASEAN Secretary-General Kao Kim Hourn and presenting Thailand’s vision for the bloc’s future. The Thai premier emphasized ASEAN unity, resilience, and people-centered approach to development. He also reiterated Thailand’s support for resolving the crisis in Myanmar through ASEAN’s Five-Point Consensus.
The visit concluded with both governments committing to translate their agreements into measurable outcomes through a five-year plan, while welcoming new direct air routes between Bangkok and Jakarta, as well as Phuket and Bali, to strengthen tourism and people-to-people exchanges.
Reporting back to ministers on August 4th, Anutin characterized the trip as having achieved its objectives of strengthening the Strategic Partnership and expanding economic opportunities alongside security cooperation, while also reinforcing Thailand’s role within ASEAN.
A nice touch was when Prabowo personally accompanied him to the airport before his departure, describing the gesture as reflecting the close relationship between the two leaders and the momentum behind translating diplomatic commitments into concrete action.
Teerin Julsawad