There's a Thai saying, wela phan pai wai muean kohok, time flies by so quickly.
As my tenure as Australia's ambassador to Thailand draws to a close, those words have resonance. It feels like only yesterday that I arrived in Bangkok during the Covid-19 pandemic and presented my credentials to His Majesty while wearing a mask. At the time, the world faced uncertainty and showed resilience.
Through good times and bad, Thailand and Australia will stand together, with our partnership built on trust, shared experience and common purpose. It is evident in the practical cooperation that keeps our communities, countries and region safe. Through initiatives such as Taskforce Storm, Australia and Thailand have worked side by side to disrupt transnational crime, intercepting more than 220 attempted drug shipments in the past year alone and contributing to the seizure of over 14 tonnes since 2016.
Then, in 2024, I joined Thailand's justice minister to open the nation's first Centre of Excellence for Counter Trafficking in Persons, training professionals to tackle one of the most pressing challenges for our region.
Our relationship extends well beyond security cooperation. Australia's national science agency, CSIRO, has partnered with Thailand's BIOTEC to strengthen Thailand's vaccine manufacturing capabilities, while green energy investments from Export Finance Australia are supporting Thai solar and battery storage infrastructure.
Invested: Australia's Southeast Asia Economic Strategy to 2040 underscores our long-term commitment to boosting two-way trade and investment. Australia also continues to support Thailand on its OECD accession journey and regulatory reform.
At the local level, cooperation has taken on tangible forms for the community. In partnership with the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, we opened an Australian-themed accessible playground in Lumphini Park; the first wheelchair friendly playground in a Bangkok public park. And together, we are transforming a former waste transfer site in On Nut into an urban forest and wetland park, delivering environmental, social and economic benefits for Bangkok's residents.
Numbers and projects only tell part of the story. What has struck me most is that the strength of the Australia–Thailand relationship lies not only in formal agreements or policy frameworks, but in something far more enduring: our people. What I will remember most are the countless personal connections that bring our countries closer together. It has been a delight -- and sometimes a surprise -- to see just how connected Thailand and Australia are. Whether in a formal meeting or at a community event, I have met many Thais with personal connections to Australia, and many more who have a son, sister or friend who worked, lived or studied in Australia.
Thailand's vibrant Australian alumni network stretches from Chiang Mai to Khon Kaen and Pattani. Even our histories intersect in unexpected ways: from macadamia trees in Chiang Rai that have their origins in Australia, to the connection between His Majesty and former Australian governor-general David Hurley, who were classmates at the Royal Military College Duntroon.
Such personal ties are the foundation of our relationship. They are reinforced in moments of shared pride, such as Thailand's landmark marriage equality law, and in challenging moments when communities come together during crises, such as an earthquake.
They are also felt in acts of remembrance. It has been an honour to participate in Anzac Day services in Kanchanaburi, where Australians and Thais stand together to remember the past, even as we look towards a shared future.
Next year, Australia and Thailand will mark 75 years of diplomatic relations. It is a milestone that reflects a deep partnership that continues to evolve and deliver for the people of both our countries.
I am deeply grateful to the Thai government and the Thai people for their warmth, openness and friendship during my time here. I also extend my sincere thanks to my embassy team, and the broader Australian and Thai community, whose work has strengthened the bonds between our countries in ways both seen and unseen.
It has been an honour to serve as Australia's ambassador to Thailand. While I will miss this remarkable country, I leave knowing that the ties between our people are stronger than ever. I will, without doubt, find my way back again.
Dr Angela Macdonald is the Australian Ambassador to Thailand.
