Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul highlighted Thailand’s role as a gateway connecting Russia with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) during the Special ASEAN-Russia Summit and the ASEAN-Russia Business Forum in Kazan, Russia, on 17 June 2026. Speaking alongside Vietnamese Prime Minister Le Minh Hung and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, Anutin presented Thailand as a key hub for economic, trade and investment links between Russia and the ASEAN region.

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According to Prime Minister’s Office spokesperson Rachada Thanadirek, Anutin encouraged Russian businesses to use Thailand as a base for expansion into the ASEAN market, which has a population of more than 700 million people. He said Thailand is well positioned to support greater regional connectivity and economic cooperation.

Anutin noted that 2026 marks the 35th anniversary of ASEAN-Russia relations, a partnership that has continued to develop amid rapid changes in the global economy. He said Thailand is pursuing economic restructuring and regulatory reforms to create new opportunities, while the FastPass Initiative helped attract the country’s highest level of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in a decade last year.

The Prime Minister outlined three priority areas for future Thailand-Russia cooperation. The first was connectivity, with Thailand offering infrastructure, logistics systems, deep-sea ports, aviation networks and digital links capable of serving as a strategic gateway to ASEAN markets. He added that Thailand will continue investing in digital infrastructure, innovation ecosystems and smart industries, while supporting the ASEAN Digital Economy Framework Agreement.

Pictures courtesy of TNR

The second area was trade and investment. Anutin stressed the importance of maintaining the multilateral trading system and identified market diversification, food security and energy security as important areas for collaboration. He said Russia’s position as one of the world’s largest natural gas producers and Thailand’s role as a major food producer create opportunities for stronger economic ties. He also welcomed growing Russian investment interest in Thailand, particularly in digital technology, agriculture, tourism and the creative economy.

The third area focused on people-to-people exchanges. Anutin said Thailand welcomes around two million Russian tourists each year and is ready to expand cooperation in health and medical tourism. He also called for greater collaboration in culture and the creative economy to strengthen ties between the two countries.

The ThaiNewsRoom reported that the speech comes as Thailand and Russia prepare to mark the 130th anniversary of diplomatic relations next year. Anutin said the milestone presents an opportunity to deepen economic cooperation and strengthen links between Russia, Thailand and ASEAN member states.

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Adapted by ASEAN Now Thai newsroom 18 June 2026

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How low can you go..... It will make China happy, that Thailand is cooperating with Russia... desperate action