Thailand has officially become a partner country of BRICS, the bloc of emerging economies, beginning on Wednesday, as announced by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA). This development reflects Thailand’s ongoing efforts to deepen economic and diplomatic relations with the global coalition.
The announcement came after Russia, the current chair of BRICS, informed the Thai government of the decision. BRICS, which includes Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, recently expanded to nine members with the addition of the United Arab Emirates, Iran, Egypt, and Ethiopia. It also accepted 13 partner countries, including Thailand and three other Southeast Asian nations—Malaysia, Vietnam, and Indonesia—alongside nations from various regions such as Algeria, Nigeria, and Kazakhstan.
The MFA highlighted that Thailand’s association with BRICS builds upon its involvement in the BRICS Plus mechanism, initiated in 2017. The partnership is set to enhance economic ties in areas like trade, investment, and tourism while fostering closer people-to-people connections with BRICS member states and other partners.
Thailand has also expressed a willingness to act as a bridge between BRICS and regional organizations, including ASEAN, Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), and the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC). According to the ministry, this position aligns with Thailand’s aim to leverage its geopolitical role to strengthen regional and global cooperation.
As Brazil prepares to assume the BRICS chair in 2025, Thailand is expected to participate in select meetings under the partnership framework. This opportunity may further bolster its ambitions to transition from partner status to full membership, a goal previously outlined by Foreign Affairs Minister Maris Sangiampongsa.
