On 26 February 2025, H.E. Ms. Arjaree Sriratanaban, Ambassador of Thailand to Australia, hosted a dinner in honour of the Thai U20 Women’s National Team (Chabakaew U20) at the Royal Thai Embassy. The team visited Canberra during 16-27 February 2025 to take part in the Four Nations Tournament 2025. The dinner was also attended by Heads of Team Thailand agencies in Canberra as well as the Embassy’s officials.

On this occasion, the Ambassador commended the players’ effort, dedication and particularly team spirit demonstrated during the 3 matches against Solomon Islands, Vanuatu and Australia. The Ambassador, Heads of Team Thailand agencies in Canberra as well as Embassy’s officials and family and Thai community in Canberra came together to watch the matches and support the team throughout the tournament.

Additionally, the Ambassador gave an overview of the Embassy’s work, which covers Australia and 5 Pacific island countries, namely Fiji, Vanuatu, Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea and Tonga. The Embassy is also the contact point for Kiribati and Nauru. She noted that sports cooperations and exchanges are one potential area for further enhancing cooperation with these countries, particularly at people-to-people level. This mission coincides with Australia’s plan to promote football in Asia, especially women’s football. The Ambassador also shared information about Football Australia’s initiatives to increase female participation in football and promote gender equality in sports, including increasing the number of female football players, improving facilities for female players, setting male-to-female ratio in leadership level, addressing the pay gap as well as supporting the female football teams (Matildas) since their success will attract more young female Australians to football.

During this Four Nations Tournament, Chabakaew U20 had 2 wins and 1 loss (Thailand-Solomon Islands 8-0, Thailand-Vanuatu 8-0 and Thailand-Australia U20 (CommBank Young Matildas) 2-5). Thailand therefore finished as the runner-up in the Tournament.