Ambassador to Thailand

Today I announce the appointment of Mr Allan McKinnon PSM as Australia's next Ambassador to Thailand.

Australia enjoys a long standing relationship with Thailand based on close cooperation on defence, countering transnational crime, counter terrorism, agriculture and tourism.

As our eighth largest trading partner, with two-way investment worth more than $7.5 billion in 2017, Thailand is also an important economic partner for Australia.

Our people to people links are strong. Approximately 800,000 Australians visit Thailand each year and over 20,000 Thai students are studying in Australia this year.

Mr McKinnon is a senior career officer with the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (PMC) and was most recently Deputy Secretary. He has previously served overseas as Deputy Head of Mission and before this, Counsellor, Australian Embassy, Tokyo. In Australia, he has served as Deputy National Security Adviser, PMC; Deputy Commander, Joint Agency Task Force – Operation Sovereign Borders; First Assistant Secretary, International Security Division, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT); First Assistant Secretary, Diplomatic Security, Information Management and Services Division, DFAT; First Assistant Secretary, Corporate Management Division, DFAT; and Adviser, Office of the Trade Minister.

Mr McKinnon holds a Bachelor of Arts (Asian Studies) and a Bachelor of Arts (Economics) from the Australian National University and a Diploma in Law from the Legal Practitioners Board.

I thank outgoing Ambassador Paul Robilliard for his contribution to advancing Australia's interests in Thailand since 2014.