Thailand has accepted the invitation to join BRICS as a partner country

Thailand has accepted Russia's invitation to become a BRICS partner country. This was announced on December 26 by Director General of the Department of Information, spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom Nikondet Phalangkun.

According to him, the official invitation was received on October 31.

"A cabinet meeting was held on December 24, at which it was decided that Thailand would give a positive response to the invitation," RIA Novosti quoted Phalangkun as saying.

He noted that on the same day, Thai Foreign Minister Don Pramudwina sent a letter to his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov, confirming the country's agreement to join the association. Phalangkun emphasized that gaining partner status is an important step for Thailand towards full membership in BRICS in the future.

Earlier on May 29, Thailand approved a draft letter of intent for the country to join BRICS. The letter said that membership in the association would benefit the state in many aspects, including helping it expand its role in co-creating the world order, increasing Thailand's role in the international arena by strengthening cooperation with developing countries.

On the same day, Kirill Kotkov, an orientalist, writer, translator, and head of the Center for the Study of the Far East in St. Petersburg, said that Thailand has been pursuing a multi-vector diplomacy since the 19th century, which leaves a noticeable mark on Bangkok's current focus on finding such reasonable and beneficial solutions as participation in the BRICS alliance.

On June 25, Russian presidential aide Yuri Ushakov confirmed that Malaysia as well as Thailand had applied to join the association.

Later, on October 31, Thai Foreign Minister Marit Sangiamphong said that the country is ready to join BRICS as a full member.

BRICS is an interstate association of countries. The last summit at the level of heads of its member states was held in Johannesburg in August 2023. Following its results, the BRICS members decided on a historic expansion. On January 1, 2024, Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa were joined by Egypt, Iran, Ethiopia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).