Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs co-chairs the 9th Session of the Thailand - Russia Joint Commission on Bilateral Cooperation

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs co-chairs the 9th Session of the Thailand - Russia Joint Commission on Bilateral Cooperation

On 14 August 2026, H.E. Mr. Sihasak Phuangketkeow, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, co-chaired the 9^th Session of the Thailand - Russia Joint Commission on Bilateral Cooperation with H.E. Mr. Aleksey Chekunkov, Minister for the Development of the Russian Far East and the Arctic, in Moscow.

The meeting placed emphasis on promoting economic cooperation, particularly expanding trade and investment. Thailand sought support for the commencement of negotiations on a Thailand - Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) Free Trade Agreement, as well as addressing trade barriers and enhancing market access opportunities for Thai products, including agricultural and food products. Both sides also discussed cooperation on trade facilitation and investment promotion with the 2^nd Russian - Thai Investment Forum to be held in Bangkok in October 2026.

In addition, both sides discussed opportunities for cooperation in energy security, food security, transport connectivity, and tourism, of which Russia is an important tourist source with approximately 1 million Russians visiting Thailand in the first half of 2026.

On this occasion, the two Co-Chairs exchanged the Agreed Minutes, covering cooperation in various areas, including trade and investment, agriculture, energy, industry, tourism, education, and addressing climate change.

The meeting formed part of Thailand's economic diplomacy efforts to create new opportunities for the Thai business sector, strengthen trade, investment and connectivity between the two countries. Executives from the Thai Chamber of Commerce, the Federation of Thai Industries, the Thai - Russian Business Council, and leading Thai companies in the agriculture and food, energy, health products, ICT, automotive and auto parts sectors joined the delegation and held discussions with relevant Russian counterparts to explore further opportunities for business cooperation.