Thailand and Indonesia unveil strategic roadmap to deepen trade, investment and regional cooperation

JAKARTA – Thailand and Indonesia have agreed to elevate their bilateral relationship with the launch of the Indonesia–Thailand Strategic Partnership Roadmap 2026–2030, setting out an ambitious agenda to strengthen cooperation across trade, investment, energy, security, education and tourism.

The roadmap was announced following bilateral talks between Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto and Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul at the Merdeka Palace in Jakarta on 3 August. Prime Minister Anutin said the new framework would provide clear direction for future collaboration while delivering tangible benefits to the people and businesses of both countries.

"I welcome the preparation of the Thailand–Indonesia Strategic Partnership Roadmap for 2026–2030, which will serve as a guideline for future cooperation between the two countries to realise opportunities and benefits for both nations," he said during a joint press conference.

The agreement comes as economic ties between the two ASEAN members continue to expand. Bilateral trade exceeded US$18 billion in 2025, making Thailand one of Indonesia's largest trading partners within ASEAN. Trade is driven by automotive products, machinery, chemicals, agricultural commodities, processed foods and energy products, while two way investment has continued to grow across manufacturing, logistics, renewable energy and the digital economy.

Prime Minister Anutin reaffirmed Thailand's commitment to increasing bilateral trade and encouraging greater private sector investment in Indonesia. He said Thai businesses remain confident in Indonesia's long term economic prospects and are keen to participate in sectors including agro industry, food processing, sustainable fisheries, the halal economy, energy, services and the digital economy.

Energy cooperation will also receive renewed attention, with both governments agreeing to reactivate the Indonesia–Thailand Energy Forum. The initiative is expected to promote collaboration on energy security, while supporting investment in oil and gas, coal and emerging clean energy industries.

Defence and security featured prominently during the leaders' discussions. Both countries agreed to strengthen military cooperation and enhance collaboration in responding to evolving regional security challenges.

The two leaders also pledged closer cooperation to combat transnational crime, including online scams, human trafficking and narcotics trafficking. Prime Minister Anutin said Thailand would accelerate the repatriation of more than 500 Indonesian nationals who had fallen victim to online fraud syndicates.

Tourism was identified as another major growth area. Both governments welcomed the launch of additional direct flights between Bangkok and Jakarta, as well as Phuket and Bali, which are expected to stimulate leisure travel, business connectivity and investment.

The leaders also agreed to deepen cooperation in health tourism, the meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MICE) sector, and cruise tourism as both countries seek to capitalise on Southeast Asia's growing visitor economy.

Education cooperation will also be expanded through greater academic exchanges and student mobility. Prime Minister Anutin noted that more than 800 Thai students are currently pursuing higher education in Indonesia, particularly those from Thailand's southern border provinces, reflecting the increasingly close educational links between the two countries.

Concluding the meeting, Prime Minister Anutin thanked President Prabowo for Indonesia's continued support for Thailand's efforts to promote peace and stability in its southern border provinces.

The Strategic Partnership Roadmap signals a new phase in Indonesia–Thailand relations, with both governments seeking to strengthen economic resilience, enhance regional security and create new opportunities for businesses and communities across ASEAN.