More than 1,500 Australian livestock and agricultural products are now available in supermarkets across Thailand, as Australia's Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade Matt Thistlethwaite launched the Australia on a Plate campaign in Bangkok.
The visit follows Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul's trip to Australia in August, when the two countries' leaders agreed to use closer economic engagement to strengthen supply chains and expand two-way trade and investment.
Thistlethwaite, who is also Australia's Assistant Minister for Immigration, said the campaign was intended to bring Australian fresh produce, dairy, fruit, vegetables and premium red meat to more Thai households.
"Australian products are already on top shelves and provide an important shop front for Australian food and beverages in Thailand," he said. "Today, we're launching Australia on a plate, a celebration of what Australia does best, including fresh produce, fruit, dairy, and vegetables, and premium red meat."
Faster access to Australian food
Thistlethwaite said Australian produce could reach Thailand in around eight to nine hours, meaning fresh products may be available to consumers only a couple of days after being picked.
He described this as the connection Australia wanted to build between its producers, Thai retailers and Thai consumers. He also said Thais and Australians shared a love and appreciation for each other's food.
Free trade agreement highlighted
The assistant minister credited the Thailand-Australia Free Trade Agreement with strengthening trade and investment links between the countries.
He said the agreement enabled Australian exports to enter Thailand without added tariff costs or quota restrictions on protein products, particularly beef and lamb.
"That's a win for Australian producers," Thistlethwaite said. "It's a win for Thai consumers because they get access to good quality Australian protein and products without the additional cost of a tariff or a quota restriction."
Education and crime cooperation
During his first visit to Thailand, Thistlethwaite was also due to meet Yodchanan Wongsawat, Thailand's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation.
Their discussions were expected to cover education links, collaborative research and development, and the effects of climate change on food security.
In his immigration role, Thistlethwaite is focusing on cooperation against transnational crime, including scam operations and drug trafficking. He said Australia was involved in a regional programme helping countries develop ways to combat such crimes.
He is also due to meet Thailand's tourist police as part of efforts intended to protect citizens of both countries - an issue with particular relevance to Australian visitors and expatriates in Thailand.
Pictures courtesy of The Nation
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26 September 2026
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