Prabowo Welcomes Thai PM Anutin at Merdeka Palace

Prime Minister of Thailand Anutin Charnvirakul arrived at the Merdeka Palace in Jakarta on Monday afternoon (3/8) to commence his official visit to Indonesia. He was welcomed directly by President Prabowo Subianto with a state ceremony that began with a Jaipong dance performance. Following the welcome, Prabowo and Anutin shook hands before proceeding to the veranda of the Merdeka Palace for the welcoming ceremony, where they listened to the national anthems of Indonesia and Thailand. Afterwards, the two leaders inspected the honour guard in the palace courtyard. Prabowo then introduced the attending ministers of the Red and White Cabinet, while Anutin introduced the members of the Thai delegation accompanying him on the visit. The series of events continued inside the Merdeka Palace. In the Credential Room, Prabowo and Anutin held a photo session before Anutin signed the state guest book. The two then held a closed-door, one-on-one meeting in the President’s office. Anutin had earlier arrived at Halim Perdanakusuma Air Force Base at around 4.05 p.m. Western Indonesian Time, where he was welcomed by Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs Djamari Chaniago. Anutin and his delegation departed from Bangkok on the same day, leaving from Military Airport 2, Wing 6 (BN.6), Don Mueang District, Bangkok, at around 12.30 p.m. local time for an official visit to Jakarta on 3-4 August 2026. This visit marks Anutin’s first official trip to Indonesia since taking office as Prime Minister of Thailand. During his stay in Indonesia, Anutin and Prabowo are scheduled to co-chair the 2nd Leaders’ Consultation. The meeting will discuss strengthening bilateral cooperation across various sectors, including security, combating transnational crime, trade and investment, food and energy security, people-to-people relations, and regional cooperation within the ASEAN framework. On this occasion, the two leaders are also scheduled to announce the Roadmap on Strategic Partnership 2026-2030, setting the direction for the development of the two countries’ strategic relations over the next five years. In addition to state agendas, Anutin will open the Thailand-Indonesia Business Forum and deliver a speech at the ASEAN Secretariat on the future of the regional organisation. Indonesia and Thailand had previously agreed to elevate their bilateral relations to a Strategic Partnership during President Prabowo’s official visit to Thailand in May 2025, coinciding with the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries.