Australia Day 2026: Reflect, respect and celebrate
27 January 2026
On 26 January 2026, Australian Ambassador to Thailand Dr Angela Macdonald PSM hosted an Australia Day reception for more than 800 guests at The Ritz-Carlton Bangkok.
Distinguished guests included Minister attached to the Office of the Prime Minister Mr Santi Piyatat, Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs Mr Vijavat Isarabhakdi, Bangkok Governor Dr Chadchart Sittipunt and Former Chairman Thai Chamber of Commerce Mr Sanan Angubolkul, along with representatives from the Thai Government, business, civil society and the diplomatic corps. The event highlighted the enduring partnership between Australia and Thailand, which marks its 74th anniversary this year.
Ambassador Macdonald said Australia Day is a time to reflect, respect and celebrate. She acknowledged more than 65,000 years of indigenous connection to country by First Nations Australians, who are the world’s oldest continuing culture. She also reflected on the shocking antisemitic terrorist attack at Bondi Beach and how ordinary Australians responded with extraordinary courage and compassion.
“It can feel that we live in extraordinary times, an era of extremism, intensifying geostrategic competition, an unprecedented rate of technological change and the increasingly severe consequences of climate change,” Ambassador Macdonald said. “These circumstances remind us of a fundamental truth – of how connected we are, as nations, communities and people.”
Australia and Thailand share a Strategic Partnership built on decades of collaboration and cooperation, in areas including politics, defence, trade, people-to-people and institutional ties.
Ambassador Macdonald acknowledged the generous support from Australian and Thai sponsors including ANCA, Australian Vintage Limited, Blackmores, NS BlueScope, Charoen Pokphand Foods, Kingsgate Consolidated Limited, Meat and Livestock Australia, Minor International, Penfolds, Supalai Public Company Limited, and Thai Beverage.
Delicious Australian produce was at the heart of the menu, including premium beef, lamb, oysters, barramundi, cheese and wines. Native Australian bush tucker ingredients, including wattleseed, finger lime and pepperberry also added unique flavours for guests to enjoy.
Mr Finnegan Clapp sung the Thai Royal Anthem and Australian National Anthem. Guests also enjoyed the sponsor displays and photo booth throughout the night.
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