Thailand's Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha (left), Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison pose for a photo during the 2nd Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) summit in Singapore on Nov. 14, 2018. (PHOTO / XINHUA)

MELBOURNE - Australia and Thailand have agreed to strengthen ties, stepping up cooperation on defence and crime-fighting and looking to increase trade, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said on Friday. 

Morrison and Thailand's Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha agreed to step up the two countries' relationship to a "Strategic Partnership"

Morrison and Thailand's Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha agreed to step up the two countries' relationship to a "strategic partnership". 

"In view of the evolving strategic shifts in the region, through this Strategic Partnership we will enhance cooperation in key areas, including defence and security, cyber affairs, anti-money laundering and combating transnational crime," Morrison said. 

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The announcement came ahead of a virtual ASEAN-East Asia Summit and a virtual ASEAN-Australia summit this weekend. 

Thailand is one of Australia's top 10 trading partners. "Our trading relationship will grow even more important as both countries recover from the COVID-19 pandemic," Morrison said.

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