Skip to content
View in the app

A better way to browse. Learn more.

Thailand News and Discussion Forum | ASEANNOW

A full-screen app on your home screen with push notifications, badges and more.

To install this app on iOS and iPadOS
  1. Tap the Share icon in Safari
  2. Scroll the menu and tap Add to Home Screen.
  3. Tap Add in the top-right corner.
To install this app on Android
  1. Tap the 3-dot menu (⋮) in the top-right corner of the browser.
  2. Tap Add to Home screen or Install app.
  3. Confirm by tapping Install.

Thailand, Russia Deepen Ties in Kazan Talks

Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and Russian President Vladimir Putin agreed to strengthen cooperation across a range of sectors during bilateral talks in Kazan, Russia, on June 18. The discussions covered security, energy, the digital economy, artificial intelligence, public health, education and tourism, while both sides also committed to expanding trade and investment links.

Get today's headlines by email image.png

The meeting took place at the Kazan International Congress Centre on the sidelines of the ASEAN-Russia Commemorative Summit. Government spokesperson Rachada Dhanadirek said the talks were held in a friendly atmosphere, with Anutin describing Russia as a long-standing and important partner of Thailand.

image.png

Putin welcomed the close relationship between the two countries and noted that Thailand and Russia are preparing to celebrate the 130th anniversary of diplomatic relations in 2027. Both leaders also agreed that Russia will host the 9th meeting of the Thai-Russian Joint Commission on Bilateral Cooperation in Moscow in August 2026 to help advance practical cooperation.

The leaders discussed political and security issues, including the impact of geopolitical tensions in the Middle East on energy security and global supply chains. Thailand expressed appreciation for Russian support in areas such as clean energy, liquefied natural gas (LNG), petrochemical products and fertilisers.

Both countries agreed to expand cooperation in defence, information security, public health, science, technology and education. Thailand also reiterated the importance it places on relations with Russia as a major global power and signalled its readiness to strengthen cooperation through bilateral, regional and multilateral frameworks.

Economic cooperation featured prominently in the talks. Both sides acknowledged that bilateral trade, currently valued at around US$1.5 billion, remains below its potential. The Thai-Russian business council has expressed interest in increasing trade in consumer goods and identifying new commercial opportunities.

image.jpeg

Pictures courtesy of The Nation

Thailand confirmed it will continue negotiations on a free trade agreement between Thailand and the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) to improve trade, investment and market access. Anutin also highlighted the success of last year’s Russian-Thai Investment Forum, which is scheduled to return to Bangkok in October 2026 to support business networking and economic cooperation.

The discussions also covered multilateral engagement. Thailand thanked Russia for supporting ASEAN and recognised its role in APEC, particularly in promoting innovation, the digital economy, food and energy security, and sustainable development. Thailand additionally expressed its willingness to cooperate with Russia on cybersecurity, anti-scam measures and broader Asia-Pacific economic initiatives.

Tourism and cultural exchanges were also identified as priorities. Anutin welcomed the nearly two million Russian tourists who visited Thailand in 2025, making Russia one of Thailand’s largest European tourism markets. Thailand also plans to promote Russian music, film and performing arts through future cultural exchange programmes.

The Nation reported that as cooperation expands ahead of the 2027 diplomatic milestone, both governments are expected to use upcoming meetings and forums to translate their commitments into practical projects. Anutin also expressed hope of meeting Putin again at the 33rd APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting later this year.

Join the discussion? image.png

Already a member? image.png

image.png Adapted by ASEAN Now Nation 20 June 2026

User Feedback

Recommended Comments

cynic1 Silver Member

cynic1

Advanced Member

Quote from article, "Thailand expressed appreciation for Russian support in areas such as clean energy, liquefied natural gas (LNG), petrochemical products and fertilisers".

Clean energy? What clean energy? Fertilisers, well Putin has provided Ukraine a lot of fertiliser from his dead Russian soldiers. Killed and wounded so far of Russian soldiers in Ukraine is about 1.3 million.

North Korean soldiers sent to Ukraine dictator is unknown at this stage, but most that were sent there by that Northern Korean dictator are dead.

Now possibly Thai soldiers - deaths yet to be determined if Anutin decides to accept Putin's request when it comes to sacrificing Thai soldiers. Putin is a devil and Anutin wants to become a mate?

The Aussies and Brits and other countries that freed Thailand from the Japs, Thailand being one, in WWII must be rolling in their graves with regards to Anutin and the way he treats the West and makes Putin his mate.

ujay Apprentice Member

ujay

Member
4 hours ago, Liverpool Lou said:

Most of those other countries, including European countries, are doing some kind of trade with Russia, why shouldn't Thailand?

Then enlighten us, storyteller, which European countries are trading what with Russia?

wensiensheng Platinum Member

wensiensheng

Advanced Member
4 hours ago, nauseus said:

More interest! If you reread all again then you might be able to figure out that my reference was to the Russians. Not to the "individual".

I see.

Well in that case I doubt that “they” are here because Russia is failing in Ukraine.

Far more likely because they don’t wish to be conscripted into the army because soldiers die irrespective of success or failure.

Even more likely because Thailand is one of the few places that they can actually go that they might perceive as safe. Crimea has been hit a few times by Ukraine and a large part of Western Europe is closed the Russians. Places like Georgia and Vietnam are, I understand, also very popular for Russians.

Hopefully Russia does fail in Ukraine and spectacularly so. My daughter in law is Ukrainian. From Mariupol. Her extended family has been decimated by the war.

wensiensheng Platinum Member

wensiensheng

Advanced Member
4 hours ago, nauseus said:

You say you're lazy to move and and then say you've started to spend several months a year outside Thailand.

That's clear but strange too. Anyway, thanks for your interest.

Well I have the apartment in France already. So I’m just spending more time in it.

Moving in Thailand would involve selling my house, then finding somewhere else in, say, Krabi, ( or the other way round) moving all my stuff, sorting out utilities, getting the new place set up how I like it etc etc.

So catching a flight to Paris and chilling out in France is a much simpler option than relocating within Thailand.

Captain Flack Star Member

Captain Flack

Global Moderator

Post breaking forum guidelines removed. @ujay

Low-Value Posts Reminder.

Posts that add no written contribution harm the forum and reduce its value for readers and search engines.

This includes:

2–3 word replies

Emoji-only posts

Memes or GIFs with no explanation or context.

Screenshots with no supporting text

Embedded social media posts with no comment or opinion

Youtube videos with no explanation or comment

If your post does not explain, add context, or express a view in your own words, it has no value here.

What happens next

Any such content will be removed without notice

Repeat posting of this type may lead to further moderation action

Reddavy Gold Member

Reddavy

Advanced Member
14 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and Russian President Vladimir Putin agreed to strengthen cooperation across a range of sectors during bilateral talks in Kazan, Russia, on June 18. The discussions covered security, energy, the digital economy, artificial intelligence, public health, education and tourism, while both sides also committed to expanding trade and investment links.

Get today's headlines by email image.png

The meeting took place at the Kazan International Congress Centre on the sidelines of the ASEAN-Russia Commemorative Summit. Government spokesperson Rachada Dhanadirek said the talks were held in a friendly atmosphere, with Anutin describing Russia as a long-standing and important partner of Thailand.

image.png

Putin welcomed the close relationship between the two countries and noted that Thailand and Russia are preparing to celebrate the 130th anniversary of diplomatic relations in 2027. Both leaders also agreed that Russia will host the 9th meeting of the Thai-Russian Joint Commission on Bilateral Cooperation in Moscow in August 2026 to help advance practical cooperation.

The leaders discussed political and security issues, including the impact of geopolitical tensions in the Middle East on energy security and global supply chains. Thailand expressed appreciation for Russian support in areas such as clean energy, liquefied natural gas (LNG), petrochemical products and fertilisers.

Both countries agreed to expand cooperation in defence, information security, public health, science, technology and education. Thailand also reiterated the importance it places on relations with Russia as a major global power and signalled its readiness to strengthen cooperation through bilateral, regional and multilateral frameworks.

Economic cooperation featured prominently in the talks. Both sides acknowledged that bilateral trade, currently valued at around US$1.5 billion, remains below its potential. The Thai-Russian business council has expressed interest in increasing trade in consumer goods and identifying new commercial opportunities.

image.jpeg

Pictures courtesy of The Nation

Thailand confirmed it will continue negotiations on a free trade agreement between Thailand and the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) to improve trade, investment and market access. Anutin also highlighted the success of last year’s Russian-Thai Investment Forum, which is scheduled to return to Bangkok in October 2026 to support business networking and economic cooperation.

The discussions also covered multilateral engagement. Thailand thanked Russia for supporting ASEAN and recognised its role in APEC, particularly in promoting innovation, the digital economy, food and energy security, and sustainable development. Thailand additionally expressed its willingness to cooperate with Russia on cybersecurity, anti-scam measures and broader Asia-Pacific economic initiatives.

Tourism and cultural exchanges were also identified as priorities. Anutin welcomed the nearly two million Russian tourists who visited Thailand in 2025, making Russia one of Thailand’s largest European tourism markets. Thailand also plans to promote Russian music, film and performing arts through future cultural exchange programmes.

The Nation reported that as cooperation expands ahead of the 2027 diplomatic milestone, both governments are expected to use upcoming meetings and forums to translate their commitments into practical projects. Anutin also expressed hope of meeting Putin again at the 33rd APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting later this year.

Join the discussion? image.png

Already a member? image.png

image.png Adapted by ASEAN Now Nation 20 June 2026


View full article

Thai politicians are just like the hookers down Soi 6. They will jump into bed with anybody if the price is right. 🤷🏼

Geoff914 Gold Member

Geoff914

Advanced Member
12 hours ago, wensiensheng said:

Personally, I don’t think that touting ties with a country that has openly invaded another European country so that it can expand its own borders, causing hundreds of thousands of deaths, is a good look.

But a tourist is a tourist I suppose

May be Thailand has eyes on Malaysia, Myanmar, Laos and Cambodia. Taking back all the lands that it once had.

Liverpool Lou Star Member

Liverpool Lou

Advanced Member
16 hours ago, ujay said:

Most of those other countries, including European countries, are doing some kind of trade with Russia, why shouldn't Thailand?

Then enlighten us, storyteller, which European countries are trading what with Russia

Turkey, Netherlands, France, Slovakia, Germany, Italy, Belgium, Hungary, the EU in general. EU/Russian trade may have reduced but it still exists, the EU is a significant importer of Russian gas. As for the specific products that they trade, I don't imagine it's beyond your capabilities to look that up for yourself after which your enlightenment would be more substantial.

Happy to enlighten you anytime, I hope you appreciate it and the fact that it is not "storytelling".

Liverpool Lou Star Member

Liverpool Lou

Advanced Member
19 hours ago, cynic1 said:
21 hours ago, gargamon said:

Oh, Is Thailand, just like NK, going to provide cannon fodder to Putin for the Ukranian front?

I'm sure if Putin asked, Anutin would probablyoblige

A ridiculous claim of probability that has absolutely nothing to substantiate it.

Mavideol Star Member

Mavideol

Advanced Member

birds of the feather flock together, crooks hand on hand, authoritarian regimes do support eachother

Captain Flack Star Member

Captain Flack

Global Moderator

AI post removed.

@cynic1 rule 39a. Posts should be original, on-topic, and written in your own voice. This is a discussion forum—not an AI content dump—so keep contributions natural and personal. AI tools can be used for reference or to support facts, but your writing should reflect your own understanding and perspective. This is especially important for opening posts, which should clearly come from a human point of view and invite genuine discussion.

KhunLA Star Member

KhunLA

Advanced Member

ASEAN & RU with closer ties and trade, exchange of tech, ROCKS.

Why should USA & EU dictate who trades with who, as that has hurt TH substantially economically.

FTA, Free Market, Open trading ... only for those we allow. WTF is that. UN, USA, EU don't have the right to dictate world economics to any other country, for any reason.

Recently, RU oil help stabilized the skyrocket prices, for TH and other SEA/ASEAN member countries, during the West's latest clusterFck ...

image.png

If not for the sanctions, petrol prices in TH may have remained fairly stable in the 30's, instead high 40's THB.

Better relations with RU, CN, BRICS & ASEAN is a good thing. Fair trading vs dictatorial FTA that USA & EU countries offer. Why USA doesn't have a FTA with TH yet, as TH too smart to agree to all the dictatorial one sided BS.

Gknrd Gold Member

Gknrd

Advanced Member

Now there is a photo that will book flights, and just generally gives me a warm and fuzzy feeling about visiting Thailand..

Geoff914 Gold Member

Geoff914

Advanced Member
3 hours ago, KhunLA said:

ASEAN & RU with closer ties and trade, exchange of tech, ROCKS.

Better relations with RU, CN, BRICS & ASEAN is a good thing. Fair trading vs dictatorial FTA that USA & EU countries offer. Why USA doesn't have a FTA with TH yet, as TH too smart to agree to all the dictatorial one sided BS.

Better relations with China, Brics, Asean I get. Well I would have said relations with those countries are good anyway I guess. But Russia? Yes for buying oil and gas. May be Thailand is looking to buy Russian military hardware, even though it is pants. But what is Thailand selling to Russia? I would have thought you would want to trade with the economic power houses, not a lame duck.

GDP estimates or actuals China $20.85 trillion, US £24.2 trillion, EU $16.5 trillion, Japan $4.03 trillion, South Korea £1.93 trillion. Russia £2.66 trillion. Who would you rather be trading with? So Russia's GDP is a little better that South Korea's. Too embarrassed to look at the UKs GDP. Actually just did £4.26 trillion?????? Bigger than Japan's. Something very wrong there.

KhunLA Star Member

KhunLA

Advanced Member
1 hour ago, Geoff914 said:

Better relations with China, Brics, Asean I get. Well I would have said relations with those countries are good anyway I guess. But Russia? Yes for buying oil and gas. May be Thailand is looking to buy Russian military hardware, even though it is pants. But what is Thailand selling to Russia? I would have thought you would want to trade with the economic power houses, not a lame duck.

GDP estimates or actuals China $20.85 trillion, US £24.2 trillion, EU $16.5 trillion, Japan $4.03 trillion, South Korea £1.93 trillion. Russia £2.66 trillion. Who would you rather be trading with? So Russia's GDP is a little better that South Korea's. Too embarrassed to look at the UKs GDP. Actually just did £4.26 trillion?????? Bigger than Japan's. Something very wrong there.

TH & RU are both low trading partners, but, 2024 data (below), and heavy sanctions stared 2022, after they started 2014.

2013 Trade tells a different story

image.png

Thailand exports to RU (2024 data)

Total

$882.58M

2024

https://tradingeconomics.com/thailand/exports/russia

Import from RU

Total

$690.80M

2024

https://tradingeconomics.com/thailand/imports/russia

image.png

Geoff914 Gold Member

Geoff914

Advanced Member
44 minutes ago, KhunLA said:

image.png

image.png

Just out of interest, what aircraft parts are Thailand buying from Russia? Just so I can avoid which ever Thai airline is using Russian parts.

Create an account or sign in to comment

Account

Navigation

Search

Search

Configure browser push notifications

Chrome (Android)
  1. Tap the lock icon next to the address bar.
  2. Tap Permissions → Notifications.
  3. Adjust your preference.
Chrome (Desktop)
  1. Click the padlock icon in the address bar.
  2. Select Site settings.
  3. Find Notifications and adjust your preference.