Culture Minister Itthiphol Kunplome met Russell Crowe on Sunday to thank him for the goodwill the Hollywood actor has shown during his visit to the kingdom.
The minister met Crowe, 57, at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Bangkok on Sunday. Crowe was with the Australian ambassador to Thailand.
Mr Itthiphol presented a gift and flowers to the Hollywood actor and thanked him for his appreciation of Thailand, Thai people and the Phuket sandbox tourism programme.
Crowe has posted images, video clips and messages on social media of various places he has visited. Crowe's posts on Twitter showing him and his crew travelling in Phuket and Bangkok have created buzz ahead of Thailand's reopening to foreign visitors on Nov 1, the government said.
Crowe is shooting a movie called The Greatest Beer Run Ever.
Crowe tweeted to his 2.7 million followers that he had never visited Thailand, although he had transited in Bangkok six times.
On Sunday, Crowe told the minister he had deep admiration for Thailand, especially the people's hospitality.
