On 6 August 2026, Mrs. Eksiri Pintaruchi, Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs, met with H.E. Ms. Raylene Siale Tagaloa Liufalani, Ambassador of New Zealand to Thailand, on the occasion of her assumption of duty.

Both sides discussed ways to advance close bilateral cooperation on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Thailand and New Zealand in 2026. Key areas of discussion included elevating bilateral relations to a Strategic Partnership and implementing the Thailand - New Zealand Joint Plan of Action 2026 - 2030 to achieve concrete and mutually beneficial outcomes across all dimensions, including political and security, economic and trade, innovation, education, culture, and people-to-people connectivity. In addition, both sides also discussed the exchange of high-level visits.

Furthermore, both sides agreed on the importance of strengthening cooperation among countries with shared values to effectively navigate volatile geopolitical challenges and sustain the rules-based international order. Additionally, both sides emphasised enhancing cooperation across multiple dimensions, including economic cooperation, energy and food security, combating transnational crime, and cooperation under the Mekong sub-regional framework and the ASEAN - New Zealand Comprehensive Strategic Partnership to ensure long-term stability and prosperity in the region.