Criminal networks in crosshairs as Australia and Thailand deepen ties

The leaders of Australia and Thailand have agreed to step up joint efforts to tackle transnational crime, while also pledging to elevate defence and trade ties.

Thailand prime minister Anutin Charnvirakul, in his first visit to Australia since he became leader in late 2025, met with his counterpart Anthony Albanese in Canberra on Wednesday.

The pair agreed to bolster mutual commitments to handle transnational crime, including tasking their law-enforcement agencies to "disrupt increasingly sophisticated global criminal networks", they said in a joint statement.

The nations will also elevate their security relationship by committing to a biannual meeting of defence ministers.

In a boost for Australia's fuel security, Albanese said his counterpart had made the "generous offer" of access to jet fuel, as energy markets experience supply-chain shocks as a result of the US-led war on Iran.

"Building on the strong economic ties is a top priority for my government," he told reporters.

"Times of uncertainty call for greater global cooperation between partners who are reliable and dependable, and friends."

In 2027, Australia and Thailand will mark 75 years since diplomatic relations were established between the two countries.

Anutin said: "I'm confident that our strategic partnership will remain an enduring foundation for Thailand and Australia ... and bring our countries and peoples even closer together."

"I extend my sincere appreciation once again to my dear Prime Minister Albanese and the Australian people for their warm hospitality."

The bid to crack down on transnational crime comes after Thailand tries to alleviate its reputation for being a hotspot for grey money — illicit capital that crosses borders.

The nation is an international hub for online scam work which fleeces millions of dollars from Australians each year.

Vulnerable Thai locals are often imprisoned by criminal syndicates on the outskirts of Bangkok to run the centres.

The Australian Federal Police was involved in a 2025 investigation that led to the arrest of five Australians, as well as United Kingdom, Canadian and South African nationals, operating a scam Bangkok "boiler room".

That announcement also came hours after Thai police confirmed the cause of death of a Thai woman allegedly murdered by an Australian man in June.

The Thai teenager, Tunchanok Donhomla, was allegedly suffocated, according to a police autopsy report seen by the ABC.

Thai police told ABC News that, on the basis of evidence collected, they now believed the investigation was reaching its completion.

Australian National University associate professor Greg Raymond said that while Thailand was not a key priority for Australia, the visit came at an opportune time to strengthen the relationship.

"This is a country wanting to diversify its trade. Australia is seen as a desirable partner that's not the United States and not China. It helps create other options for trade," he said.

Australia has substantial existing trade deals with Thailand, exporting about $1 billion of natural gas and more than $700 million in petroleum annually.

In return, Australia buys roughly $6.5 billion worth of new cars from the nation each year.

But those deals are eclipsed by China, with which Thailand had a US$46.22 billion ($65 billion) trade deficit in the first half of 2026.

The Southeast Asian nation is now in talks to lessen the deficit through increased self-sufficiency and reliance on alternative nations.

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