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.

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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.

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.

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.

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Adapted by ASEAN Now Nation 20 June 2026

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Does Thailand need to get closer ties

with a one man rule state ?

Not a good look for Thailand.

I would be embarrassed if I was a Thai.

Proud of my guest country Thailand.

Ashamed of my own euro country.

Good move from Anutin.

What ??? Unbelievable !!!

Putin and Buddhism is not a good look at all

Putin wants to destroy the EU, which involves Germany, UK and many others who visit Thailand for vacation.

Not logical.

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

4 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

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.

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.

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?

Already a member?

Adapted by ASEAN Now Nation 20 June 2026

View full article

Nice photos. Brothers in Authoritarianism.

And the one photo: do they kiss each other?

5 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

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.

25 minutes ago, newbee2022 said:

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.

So much future talking to be done! So many opportunities for comfortable travel all round!

Meanwhile, back at the coalface ...

Not sure, if this kind of publicity is a good move for Thailand! Long collaborations on one side, ok, but more or less quietly accepting the crimes occurring by Russia, cannot be welcomed by other countries. It might lead to economic misbenefits with other investors and countries. Usually, Thailand always kept neutral, being silent, but this announcement doesn’t attract everybody sympathy. Mine neither, I have to say…

An increase in Russians is not necessarily a good thing for Thailand’s tourist industry.

We stopped going to Turkey because of the number of Russians going there. Google hotel reviews are full of Europeans complaining about Russians. On our last visit the guest relations guy in the hotel asked us to write a good review to encourage Brits to go, as he was sick of Russians.

Also have some friends who sold an apartment there as the complex became overrun with Russians.

Thailand is still part of the Nonaligned Movement and is not in anyone's camp. If it wants to trade with Russia it doesn't mean it is anti American or European.

53 minutes ago, BexMan said:

An increase in Russians is not necessarily a good thing for Thailand’s tourist industry.

We stopped going to Turkey because of the number of Russians going there. Google hotel reviews are full of Europeans complaining about Russians. On our last visit the guest relations guy in the hotel asked us to write a good review to encourage Brits to go, as he was sick of Russians.

Also have some friends who sold an apartment there as the complex became overrun with Russians.

I met an English guy the other day. He’d been living in Phuket for years, but had recently relocated to Hua Hin because Phuket is apparently being overrun by Russians.

Anutin would form a pact with the devil if it benefited him and his corrupt Senate money laundering "Blue Party." It just goes to show how low this Buriram thug will go to secure his legacy as the most inept PM in Thai history.

9 minutes ago, Screaming said:

Anutin would form a pact with the devil if it benefited him and his corrupt Senate money laundering "Blue Party." It just goes to show how low this Buriram thug will go to secure his legacy as the most inept PM in Thai history.

The Thai government and military are awfully chummy with the murderous Myanmar regime, so there’s a pact with the devil already.

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

1 hour ago, rudi49jr said:

I met an English guy the other day. He’d been living in Phuket for years, but had recently relocated to Hua Hin because Phuket is apparently being overrun by Russians.

Tbh, I can understand his actions, although I would add traffic and overbuilding to just “Russians”.

If I wasn’t so old I think I would seriously consider uprooting and changing my Thai base. But I’m lazy to do it and in any case have started to spend several months a year outside Thailand.

27 minutes ago, Screaming said:

Anutin would form a pact with the devil if it benefited him and his corrupt Senate money laundering "Blue Party." It just goes to show how low this Buriram thug will go to secure his legacy as the most inept PM in Thai history.

Indeed- and a great photo of 2 lovely honest men embracing!

1 hour ago, rudi49jr said:

I met an English guy the other day. He’d been living in Phuket for years, but had recently relocated to Hua Hin because Phuket is apparently being overrun by Russians.

Maybe that's because they failed in Ukraine?

7 hours ago, Jim Blue said:

Does Thailand need to get closer ties

with a one man rule state ?

For ongoing trade, yes. Why should your "one man rule state" characterisation have any bearing on trade between the countries?

8 minutes ago, wensiensheng said:

Tbh, I can understand his actions, although I would add traffic and overbuilding to just “Russians”.

If I wasn’t so old I think I would seriously consider uprooting and changing my Thai base. But I’m lazy to do it and in any case have started to spend several months a year outside Thailand.

@nauseus I thought my post was clear but you have a question mark emoji.

How can I help you in terms of clarification?

8 minutes ago, nauseus said:

Maybe that's because they failed in Ukraine?

What a strange post. A British guy relocates from Phuket to Hua Hin and some how you extrapolate that into them potentially “ failing” in Ukraine.

What type of fail did you have in mind and which part of the op referring to this individual, makes you think that they may have been in Ukraine?

3 hours ago, NobbyClarke said:

What ??? Unbelievable !!!

Putin and Buddhism is not a good look at all

Putin wants to destroy the EU, which involves Germany, UK and many others who visit Thailand for vacation.

Not logical.

'Not logical"

As was your post.

3 hours ago, Pekaer said:

Not sure, if this kind of publicity is a good move for Thailand! Long collaborations on one side, ok, but more or less quietly accepting the crimes occurring by Russia, cannot be welcomed by other countries. It might lead to economic misbenefits with other investors and countries. Usually, Thailand always kept neutral, being silent, but this announcement doesn’t attract everybody sympathy. Mine neither, I have to say…

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

21 minutes ago, gargamon said:

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

Very obviously not... a bizarrely ridiculous question.

9 minutes ago, wensiensheng said:

@nauseus I thought my post was clear but you have a question mark emoji.

How can I help you in terms of clarification?

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.

12 minutes ago, wensiensheng said:

What a strange post. A British guy relocates from Phuket to Hua Hin and some how you extrapolate that into them potentially “ failing” in Ukraine.

What type of fail did you have in mind and which part of the op referring to this individual, makes you think that they may have been in Ukraine?

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".

4 hours ago, NobbyClarke said:

What ??? Unbelievable !!!

Putin and Buddhism is not a good look at all

Putin wants to destroy the EU, which involves Germany, UK and many others who visit Thailand for vacation.

Not logical.

Well, some think they can keep a cake while also eating it😉

36 minutes ago, Liverpool Lou said:

Why?

It’s embarrassing to see how PM warmly kisses the war criminal and brutal dictator who is wanted by ISS . The International Criminal Court's arrest warrant for Putin is a proof of his war crimes in Ukraine , specifically regarding the unlawful deportation of Ukrainian children.

These scene of hug should makes all decent people puke…

Yeah, the optics aren't really good and invites scrutiny from the West... better to sit on the fence Thailand as that usually has served you better. Probably should have concluded the FTA with Europe first before jumping into Moscow's embrace too... you know how Brussels can attach strings to trade.

The background music in the video is really captivating. Or could it be from a trailer? Judging by the visuals, it seems like Channel 7 might be gearing up for a new Thai soap opera. Then again, could it be a reality documentary instead? I suppose we’ll find out soon enough. 😊