Thailand’s BRICS dreams: Up in the air but not grounded yet

[webfact]

Thailand’s bid for membership in the influential BRICS international organisation remains up in the air, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA). The Government of Thailand is currently weighing the economic implications of joining this powerful bloc, with a decision pending in the House.

 

BRICS, which boasts heavyweights like Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, the UAE, Iran, Egypt, and Ethiopia, is a key player on the global stage.

 

Foreign Affairs Minister Maris Sangiampongsa, appointed by Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, attended a series of meetings in Kazan, Russia, yesterday, October 31, an invitation extended by none other than Russian President Vladimir Putin. This highlights Thailand’s intention to deepen its ties with BRICS, said the MFA.

 

“Thailand reaffirmed its determination to elevate its engagement with BRICS, as expressed in a letter of interest to join the bloc as a full member back in June.”

 

Amid swirling reports that Thailand had been officially welcomed as a BRICS partner, Nikorndej Balankura, the ministry’s spokesperson, clarified that no confirmation has been received.

 

This speculation emerged following Maris’s participation in the BRICS Plus Summit in Kazan, where news of Thailand’s potential partnership began circulating on social media.

A post from the BRICS News account stated, “BRICS decides not to accept any new full members for 2024. However, 13 new nations have been accepted as official partner countries, working towards full membership in the future.”

 

The statement outlined the current BRICS members (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, the UAE, Iran, Egypt, and Ethiopia) while naming Thailand among the new official partners, which also include Algeria, Belarus, Bolivia, Cuba, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Nigeria, Turkey, Uganda, Uzbekistan, and Vietnam, said spokesperson Nikorndej.

 

“We need to receive official notification from the BRICS chair, which is Russia. We are hopeful about being recognised as a BRICS partner, but I cannot confirm anything until we get the official document.”

 

by Bob Scott
Picture courtesy of Konrad-Adenauer Stiftung

 

Source: The Thaiger 

-- 2024-11-01

 

 

[Tropicalevo]

13 minutes ago, webfact said:

BRICS, which boasts heavyweights like Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, the UAE, Iran, Egypt, and Ethiopia, is a key player on the global stage.

 

Heavyweights in what?

Invasions?

Corruption?

Anti human rights and free speech?

[John Drake]

If Thailand joins this club of dictators, the US and Europe should remove Thailand from existing economic/trade agreements. Time for their to be consequences for actions.

[RupertIII]

1 hour ago, John Drake said:

If Thailand joins this club of dictators, the US and Europe should remove Thailand from existing economic/trade agreements. Time for their to be consequences for actions.

Thailand's desire for an FTA with the EAEU and increased trade with Russia, as reported in today's BP, isn't likely to help or have they now given up on an FTA with the EU?

[trainman34014]

BRICS will become a kind of EU; in that two or three Countries will be putting money in the pot and the rest will be scavengers and poor relations hanging on their apron strings hoping for handouts.   Thailand will of course be one of the latter !

[harryviking]

Lol! Imagine Thailand want to be a member of a group with many of the worst dictatorships on the planet! What is wrong with some people! Corrupted? This BRICS nonsense will never work! Just look at the members! The idea might be a good one, nut the timing is NOT!!

[Purdey]

They are already in ASEAN, which can hardly be said to be much help in raising the economy. Why join another cabal?

[Peterphuket]

8 hours ago, Tropicalevo said:

 

Heavyweights in what?

Invasions?

Corruption?

Anti human rights and free speech?

What do you think about the population.

Don't underestimate that.

[Srikcir]

4 hours ago, webfact said:

new official partners, which also include Algeria, Belarus, Bolivia, Cuba

Really don't see that Cuba as a small communist economy that seems more in need of investment support than what it can sustain.

But like Thailand, intangible tourism has been its way to higher GDP than found in most Latin American countries. Open relations with a liberal democratic American government could further its tourism from Latinos in the US.

[hotchilli]

4 hours ago, John Drake said:

If Thailand joins this club of dictators, the US and Europe should remove Thailand from existing economic/trade agreements. Time for their to be consequences for actions.

Are not USA, EU dictators in their own right?

[John Drake]

21 minutes ago, hotchilli said:

Are not USA, EU dictators in their own right?

 

No.

[daveAustin]

5 hours ago, webfact said:

BRICS, which boasts heavyweights like Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, the UAE, Iran, Egypt, and Ethiopia, is a key player on the global stage.

Heavyweight aholes. Sorry, but all these countries are run by questionable entities with few if any morals. Don’t do it, Thailand, you’re better than that. Oh wait, who runs this place again?

[NoDisplayName]

5 hours ago, Tropicalevo said:

 

Heavyweights in what?

Invasions?

Corruption?

Anti human rights and free speech?

 

That makes no sense.

 

USA, Ukraine and the Tel Aviv nazi apartheid regime are NOT in BRICs.

[AndreasHG]

2 hours ago, Purdey said:

They are already in ASEAN, which can hardly be said to be much help in raising the economy. Why join another cabal?

 

I experienced firsthand the benefits of Thailand ASEAN membership and of the organization's evolution. One example is export of electric/electronic products from Thailand to Indonesia.

Due to the now abolished Indonesian high import duties on Thai products, all trade was done through smugglers located in Singapore. Legitimate businesses were cornered and effectively pushed out of the market.

 

The situation was such that some products were even smuggled back into Thailand, due to the way the tax was structured in the country, damaging legitimate businesses in both Thailand and Indonesia, to the sole benefit of Singaporean bootleggers.

 

Just like in the EU, the elimination of tariffs and non-tariff barriers among the ASEAN members has served as a catalyst for greater efficiency in production and long-term competitiveness.

 

True, for most of the farang living in Thailand nothing apparently changed. But if today we can buy a television set, a computer or a washing machine at affordable prices in Thailand, this is due to the lower tariffs ASEAN countries agreed upon.

20 years ago this was not the case.

 

 

[sandyf]

1 hour ago, John Drake said:

 

No.

You are right in one respect, no country is a dictator, only the people in charge.

Both the US and European countries have had dictators in their history, and the US may well be in line for another.

[hotchilli]

3 hours ago, John Drake said:

 

No.

History might prove otherwise...

But I acknowledge your opinion.

[black tabby12345]

Is it That Difficult for Thailand to join BRICS？

As to the Corruption Level, this kingdom already  looks Suitably  Qualified to be among them; no less than any of them.

 

Corruption Perceptions Index - Wikipedia

Edited 2 hours ago by black tabby12345

[NativeBob]

Good for them, history will reveal itself. 

Meanwhile couch oracles are always here to predict the fate of the BRICS

[Gknrd]

Personally I think if they want out the just cut them off totally. They want to go kick them out and let them swim on their own.  But as restoring and China declines then it will naturally take it's course.

Edited 2 hours ago by Gknrd

[KhunLA]

4 hours ago, hotchilli said:

Are not USA, EU dictators in their own right?

Yep ... some seem to have very selective memories, or read the wrong news source.

 

How many millions of people have the USA, UK, EU & NATO countries killed and or displaced this century alone, and it's not even 1/4 over 

 

BRICS current members represent 45% of the world's current population 

Edited 1 hour ago by KhunLA