Chrupalla at Oktoberfest in Bangkok: Crumbling borders to the economy!

Chrupalla at Oktoberfest in Bangkok: Crumbling borders to the economy!

An unexpected event has unfolded in the lively metropolis of Bangkok in the form of the German-Thai Chamber of Commerce's Oktoberfest. This celebration took place from October 16th to 21st in a luxury hotel and attracted numerous business representatives, including AfD leader Tino Chrupalla. What is particularly bizarre is that Chrupalla, who is often known for his controversial political views, not only attended such an event, but also shared its list of sponsors with big names in German business such as Schaeffler, Ergo, Bayer, BASF and Munich Re. Several hundred photos were shared across social media; However, Chrupalla was not featured on any of them, raising questions about how present he actually was.

How rnd.de reports, the visit by Chrupalla, who was born in Weißwasser in 1975 and has been a member of the German Bundestag since 2017, was a symbolic undertaking in the context of diplomatic and economic relations between Germany and Thailand. His trip was financed by the Bundestag faction, with tickets for Oktoberfest costing the equivalent of 130 euros, including free beer. For Chrupalla, a fresh Viennese sausage and a cold beer also represent an approach to Asian markets - a great heuristic for promoting potential trading partners from medium-sized businesses.

Chrupalla's international ambitions

In his political appearances, Chrupalla pursues a clear foreign policy and is actively involved in the international network, which also includes many controversial personalities. Before his trip to Thailand, he laid a wreath at Mahatma Gandhi's Martyrs' Column in India in May 2025. It is noteworthy that during his stay in Thailand, communication on social media was rather limited and only a few in the AfD leadership were informed about his plans. This could indicate that Chrupalla is strategically forward-looking, possibly also with regard to desired positions in Brussels.

These developments are in a larger context, as Germany is a major trading player in Asia. According to the bpb.de A considerable part of German foreign trade, around 18.8%, is carried out with Asian countries. If Chrupalla lays the foundation for future business relationships in Thailand, this could further strengthen the relationship between Germany and these markets.

Political implications

The question also arises as to whether we will see increased cooperation between the AfD and business. Chrupalla himself seems to see his commitment to medium-sized companies in Thailand as a kind of bridge. The German ambassadors present and the support from major companies reflect the desire to strengthen economic ties. But anyone interested in the AfD's support in the economy will have to ask themselves whether this firewall that has existed for a long time between the party and the economy is now beginning to crumble.

It remains to be seen whether Chrupalla will ultimately be nominated as the top candidate for the 2029 state elections in Germany. But his international travel and visits raise his profile and could help him further advance his political career. This could be of interest to his voters, who often demand an active foreign and trade policy.