A Night at the Sala Thai with Asialink
On 18 July 2023, the Royal Thai Embassy welcomed the executives of Asialink and participants of the Asialink Leaders Program 2023 for the “Night at the Sala Thai”. The event provided opportunities for networking between the participants and members of Team Thailand agencies in Australia and for discussing the longstanding relations between Australia and Thailand as part of the broader engagement between Australia and Southeast Asia.
The Asialink executives led by Mr. Peter Varghese AO, Chancellor of Queensland University and Chair of Asialink Council, and including Ms. Martine Letts, Group CEO, Mr. Leigh Howard, CEO Asialink Business, and Ms. Sarah Richardson, Executive Director of Asia Education Foundation, also had a meeting with H.E. Ms. Arjaree Sriratanaban, Ambassador of Thailand to Australia. Both sides discussed Asialink’s activities and possible cooperation with the Embassy to advance future-oriented agenda for the Thai-Australian strategic partnership. They also exchanged views on the current strategic environment and regional developments. Joining the meeting were Ms. Hattaya Khusakul, Thai Consul-General in Sydney, Mr. Rutchabhoom Boonrawd, Minister and Deputy Head of Mission, Royal Thai Embassy, and Ms. Sithee Tanboonteck, Director, Thailand Board of Investment’s Sydney Office.
In her remarks during the event, the Thai Ambassador – noting the solid and strong foundations of the diplomatic relations between Thailand and Australia underpinned by comprehensive cooperation, close people-to-people connections, healthy economic ties, as well as common interests and commitment – emphasized that amidst opportunities and challenges at the regional and global levels, the two countries should work more closely together as strategic partners. She highlighted, in particular, opportunities for both sides to intensify collaboration especially in climate- and sustainability-related areas, enhance education cooperation, and promote two-way investments. More high-level exchanges and dialogues should also be encouraged.
Welcoming Australia deepening engagement with Southeast Asia, including through initiatives with ASEAN and the development of the Southeast Asia Economic Strategy to 2040, Ambassador Arjaree expressed her hope to work with Asialink to move forward the mutually beneficial partnership between Thailand and Australia as well as between Southeast Asia and Australia.
