BANGKOK, Thailand – The Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported that Thailand on 28 December 2024 was informed by Russia, Chair of BRICS for 2024, that Thailand will join BRICS as a Partner Country starting from 1 January 2025.
Thailand’s partnership with BRICS builds on its longstanding cooperation with the group, which began in 2017 when Thailand joined the BRICS Plus mechanism. This partnership offers significant opportunities to strengthen economic ties with BRICS member countries – emerging markets and developing countries with high growth potential. Key areas of collaboration include trade, investment, and tourism.
In addition, the partnership also fosters people-to-people ties between Thailand and other BRICS members and partners. Beyond economic cooperation, Thailand’s engagement with BRICS reinforces its commitment to multilateralism, particularly among developing countries. Thailand also expresses its readiness to be a bridge builder between BRICS and other regional groupings, such as ASEAN, APEC, ACD, and BIMSTEC.
The BRICS group, originally comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, is expanding. Currently, it consists of nine member countries: Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Ethiopia, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, and Iran.
With Brazil assuming as the BRICS chair in 2025, Thailand, as a Partner Country, will have the opportunity to participate in some meetings which can support its collaboration under the BRICS framework.
At the end of October 2024, Thailand received from the Russian Federation, as 2024 BRICS Chair, the official invitation to become a BRICS “Partner Country.” Subsequently, on 24 December 2024, the Cabinet was informed of Thailand’s reply and acceptance. On the same day, the Minister of Foreign Affairs signed the Letter to the Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs to that effect.
Becoming a BRICS Partner Country is a significant step toward future membership. As a Partner Country, Thailand seeks to elevate cooperation with BRICS members, to enhance economic opportunities, and to highlight its role both in promoting cooperation among developing countries, in a multilateral system that most benefits their interests, and in linking BRICS with other frameworks. (PRD)
