Media Release
DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS & TRADE
TOURISM AUSTRALIA
AUSTRALIAN TRADE AND TOURISM
DIPLOMACY TASKFORCE
Media Release
Friday 12 June 2026
Australian Trade and Tourism Diplomacy Taskforce Responds to Misinformation Campaign Targeting Australia in Thailand
The Australian Trade and Tourism Diplomacy Taskforce has identified an online misinformation campaign originating in Thailand. This campaign is promoting false and misleading claims about Australia, with potential impacts on tourism, education, trade and broader people-to-people links between Australia and Thailand.
The Australian Trade and Tourism Diplomacy Taskforce is taking this matter seriously and has directed relevant officials to work closely Australian diplomatic representatives, Thai authorities, and trusted regional partners to assess the scope of the campaign and coordinate an appropriate response. The taskforce has sent a letter to Trade and Tourism Thailand to initiate diplomatic talks and collaboration.
Australia and Thailand share a longstanding partnership built on mutual respect, economic cooperation and strong cultural ties. Attempts to undermine this relationship through deliberate spread of misinformation are of concern to both government and will be addressed through established diplomatic channels facilitated by the United Nations.
The Australian Trade and Tourism Diplomacy Taskforce has been established to coordinate the government’s response in crises like this. Bringing together expertise from across government to identify sources and impacts of the misinformation campaign, strengthen information sharing, and support efforts to ensure accurate and reliable information is available to Thai audiences.
The Taskforce will work alongside Australian and Thai government agencies, industry stakeholders, educational institutions and trusted community partners to counter this false campaign, reinforce public confidence in both countries and protect our strong relationship.
As part of this response, the Australian Trade and Tourism Diplomacy Taskforce has commenced an investigation into the origins, methods and reach of the misinformation campaign. Findings from this investigation will inform future policy.
The Australian Trade and Tourism Diplomacy Taskforce is also considering a range of additional initiatives to restore confidence amongst Thai tourists, students and businesses, while strengthening resilience against future misinformation activities. Furthermore, initiatives to prevent a response from the Australian public against Thailand are also being considered. At this time, it is encouraged that
both countries lower the temperature and work collaboratively to overcome this challenge. Further measures will be announced in due course.
The Australian Trade and Tourism Diplomacy Taskforce remains committed to transparency and will continue to provide updates as appropriate. Australians and members of the public are encouraged to rely on official government information and verified sources regarding Australia’s relationship with Thailand.
Quotes attributable to the Minister for Foreign Affairs:
“Australia values its enduring friendship with Thailand, and we will work closely with our Thai counterparts to address the spread of misinformation through constructive and cooperative engagement.”
“Deliberate attempts to spread false information that undermine confidence in the Australian people, our institutions and international partnership have no place in our region.”
“Our priority is to ensure that the Australia-Thailand relationship remains strong, trusted and mutually beneficial. We will continue working with partners across government and industry to restore confidence and counter misleading narratives.”