Thailand becomes BRICS Partner – strengthens bilateral ties with China

Explore why Thailand joining the powerful BRICS bloc is a game-changer for global trade and diplomacy.

Thailand will become an official BRICS partner from January 1, 2025. The counrty is understood to have submitted a formal request at the October 2024 BRICS Summit in Russia to become a full member of BRICS.

The Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the partnership is expected to strengthen international collaboration and offer opportunities for Thailand and BRICS members, particularly in trade, investment, and tourism.

Observers note that the country’s strong economic ties with China, a key BRICS member, make it a natural candidate for membership. Thailand’s active participation in BRICS-related initiatives, such as the Belt and Road Initiative, underscores its commitment to closer collaboration with the group.

Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra visited China from 5 to 8 of Febuary 2025, where she met with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing. PM Shinawatra also held a meeting with Chinese Premier Li Qiang.
On February 8 the two governments signed a broad-ranging China-Thailand joint statement on advancing comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership.

In the statement China and Thailand said they would continue to promote cooperation on economic resilience, high-quality development, clean energy, digital economy and green development.

Earlier, the Thai and Chinese Prime Ministers presided over the signing of 14 key bilateral agreements reinforcing strategic cooperation between the two nations.

The agreements cover a wide range of sectors, including artificial intelligence (AI), digital economy investment, energy, nuclear technology for peaceful use, space exploration and customs cooperation.

The signing ceremony for the agreements underscored the deepening bilateral ties between the two nations, with Premier Li later hosting a state banquet in honor of PM Paetongtarn to celebrate the strengthened partnership.

Video (extract) from Ancient Craft, Feb 22, 2025.
Thailand Officially Joins BRICS.
https://youtu.be/nKWinTPDXIQ?t=113