Prabowo to Thai PM: Our Relationship Greatly Influences Southeast Asia
President Prabowo Subianto has affirmed that the relationship between Indonesia and Thailand greatly influences the situation in Southeast Asia. Prabowo made the statement during a joint press conference with Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul following a bilateral meeting at the Merdeka Palace in Jakarta on Monday, 3 August 2026.
The Head of State expressed his gratitude for PM Anutin’s state visit to Indonesia, noting that the visit carried several important meanings.
First, Indonesia and Thailand are founding members of ASEAN. Second, the economies of Indonesia and Thailand are among the largest in the region.
“Therefore, the relationship between us greatly influences the situation in Southeast Asia,” said Prabowo.
Furthermore, Prabowo noted that PM Anutin’s visit was the first state visit by a Thai Prime Minister to Indonesia in 15 years.
The meeting was also the second leaders’ consultation since Indonesia and Thailand elevated their bilateral relationship to a strategic partnership last year. This demonstrates that the Indonesia-Thailand partnership continues to develop and is oriented towards the future.
In today’s meeting, Prabowo and PM Anutin discussed in depth various bilateral, regional, and global issues. As founding members of ASEAN, Indonesia and Thailand share a common responsibility to maintain peace, stability, and security, as well as to create shared prosperity in the region.
“Amid rising global uncertainty and increasingly complex non-traditional security challenges, Indonesia and Thailand must continue to play a leadership role in strengthening ASEAN’s resilience and relevance,” he said.
Accordingly, Prabowo and PM Anutin agreed to strengthen political and security cooperation between Indonesia and Thailand, particularly in tackling various forms of transnational crime, including the handling of online scams. Prabowo expressed appreciation for the Thai government’s assistance in repatriating around 1,000 Indonesian citizens who were victims of online scams.
“The number is quite significant, approaching nearly 1,000 Indonesian citizens. This is very meaningful assistance. It proves the close relationship between Indonesia and Thailand. Once again, Your Excellency, on behalf of the Indonesian nation and people, I would like to express my deepest gratitude and appreciation,” he said.
Going forward, Prabowo said, Indonesia and Thailand agreed to strengthen cooperation in information and intelligence exchange as well as joint investigations. In addition, both countries also agreed to enhance the tracking of financial flows and law enforcement coordination to dismantle transnational criminal networks.