Photo of Arada Fuangtong courtesy of The Nation

 

The UK has sanctioned four Thai companies for allegedly supporting Russia’s war efforts in Ukraine, triggering warnings from Thai authorities about reputational risks. The UK's Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) announced the sanctions, part of a broader action targeting 39 entities and individuals under the Russia (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019. This move has prompted urgent responses from Thailand’s Department of Foreign Trade (DFT).

 

The DFT, headed by Director-General Arada Fuangtong, confirmed that the department is taking the matter seriously, having called the four sanctioned companies for immediate discussions. These discussions aim to ensure the firms are aware of the UK sanctions' implications and the broader risks to both their operations and Thailand’s international image. The DFT has also cautioned major Thai business groups to exercise caution in sensitive jurisdictions.

 

Reactions from business organisations, including the Federation of Thai Industries and the Thai National Shippers' Council, have been swift, with a shared focus on mitigating potential damage to Thailand's large export market relationships with Western nations. Though neutral in the Ukraine conflict, Thailand acknowledges the impact of UK sanctions on entities perceived as supportive of Russia’s military activities.

 

UK law prohibits the sanctioned entities from receiving trade or financial support from UK-affiliated parties and imposes asset freezes on them. This includes a wide range of institutions, such as banks and logistics providers. The Thaiger reported that Thai businesses should thoroughly understand the legal and operational consequences of these sanctions.

 

Moving forward, Thailand’s trade landscape remains complex as the country continues dealing with both Western and Russian markets. In 2024, the trade between Thailand and the UK amounted to about 237 billion Thai baht, with a significant surplus for Thailand. Concurrently, trade with Russia reached around 56 billion Thai baht, indicating ongoing economic interactions despite geopolitical tensions.

 

Key Takeaways

 

• UK sanctions target four Thai firms linked to Russia’s war efforts.
• Thai authorities issue warnings to maintain Thailand’s global reputation.
• Thai trade with the UK and Russia continues amid tension.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Thaiger 2025-11-07

 

 

Good, well done the Brits

Considering the war has been going on for more than two years, I'm surprised this hasn't happened earlier given the country's "neutrality" and the acceptance of Russian nationals to enter Thailand.

1 hour ago, webfact said:

UK law prohibits the sanctioned entities from receiving trade or financial support from UK-affiliated parties and imposes asset freezes on them.

 

And the sanctioned entities are just whom???

3 minutes ago, John Drake said:

 

And the sanctioned entities are just whom???

 

But Grok has them. Among them, Grok says, "logistics forwarder that re-labels EU/US-origin goods as “Thai-made” for Moscow." So that commitment Thailand made to Trump about transshipments is already proving to fairy dust.

I am interesting to know which businesses are involved and who the owners are.....Again negative news in the West about Thailand and here they pretend they are best boy of the class

3 minutes ago, ikke1959 said:

I am interesting to know which businesses are involved and who the owners are.....Again negative news in the West about Thailand and here they pretend they are best boy of the class

1.  CTT Oil (Thailand) Co., Ltd.

2.  GS Energy Co., Ltd.

3.  Interpower Energy Co., Ltd.

4.  Juzhong Energy Co., Ltd.

There is a list here with six companies with Thailand addresses on it. 
 

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/68fa22b0c18f97edd2b63707/Russia.pdf

@Will B Good

 

The UK sanctions list will provide the names. You are braver than I am, because I would never want to expose myself to a defamation charge by actually putting up the names. In fact, I just thought the better of it, and deleted the names in your post I replied to.

6 minutes ago, John Drake said:

 

The UK sanctions list will provide the names. You are braver than I am, because I would never want to expose myself to a defamation charge by actually putting up the names.

 

It's in the public domain already but I agree that the murkiness of local defamation laws would prevent me from sharing this information while on a Thai IP address.

2 hours ago, NanLaew said:

 

It's in the public domain already but I agree that the murkiness of local defamation laws would prevent me from sharing this information while on a Thai IP address.

 

I'm in Singapore.....does that help any?

2 hours ago, Will B Good said:

 

I'm in Singapore.....does that help any?

 

No idea. Didn't they try to pin LM stuff that he said in Korea on Thaksin?

 

Then there was that silly farang teacher who insisted on repeatedly panning a Thai beach resort on TripAdvisor, who had to do the (expensive) wai of shame.

 

I doubt anyone is as anonymous as they think they are anymore.

9 hours ago, JoePai said:

Good, well done the Brits

Yes....just a shame they can't GB in order!

I don't know any of these companies , so I can not support them 

for doing the right thing.

Thailand is neutral , so should Thai companies be.

 

It should be possible for Thailand (and other targetted nations) to impose "reciprocal sanctions" on foreign companies that trade with countries that pursue genocide.

 

However they may need to clean up their own backyard first.  A way round this could be to sanction a government that itself directly aids and abets genocide.  But awkward when you have a trade surplus with them.  Self-interest tends to come before moral considerations.

On 11/7/2025 at 7:39 AM, webfact said:

Though neutral in the Ukraine conflict, Thailand acknowledges the impact of UK sanctions on entities perceived as supportive of Russia’s military activities

Well they shouldn't be neutral, and how come Russians could (still do ?) get a 3 month visa but Ukraine could not ?

On 11/7/2025 at 5:34 PM, FlorC said:

I don't know any of these companies , so I can not support them 

for doing the right thing.

Thailand is neutral , so should Thai companies be.

 

Missing the point. All governments can decide who they trade with. If the UK - or anyone else - decide they will sanction any company who trades with Russia (or Iceland) that is their prerogative.

IMO the UK  is definitely doing the right thing by sanctioning any organisation dealing with Russia.

1 hour ago, Kung69 said:

Missing the point. All governments can decide who they trade with. If the UK - or anyone else - decide they will sanction any company who trades with Russia (or Iceland) that is their prerogative.

IMO the UK  is definitely doing the right thing by sanctioning any organisation dealing with Russia.

And if they are prepared to trade with Russia in avoidance of sanctions who else are they trading with? Example would they stop at being involved with "trading" embargoed electronic goods to suspect Governments.

On 11/7/2025 at 12:12 PM, John Drake said:

 

But Grok has them. Among them, Grok says, "logistics forwarder that re-labels EU/US-origin goods as “Thai-made” for Moscow." So that commitment Thailand made to Trump about transshipments is already proving to fairy dust.

All hail Grok.

Fool.

15 hours ago, emptypockets said:

All hail Grok.

Fool.

 

Chinabot

Nothing new Thais having blood on there hands aiding Russias war machine from supportting Russian buisnesses to Russian tourists entering thailand. If i remember a year ago it was noted that any country supporting the Russian war could end up having Sanctions imposed on them.

Bomb The City into rubble and England will assume its proper role in global politics. 

 

The owners will finally get the oblivion they're forcing on the peasants.  The City is all the entire country has.  There are no natural resources and manufacturing is a distant memory.  There would be no more welfare or funding for extended hotel stays, so the 'guests' would swim back to France and make their way back home from there.