Thailand has officially joined BRICS as a partner country starting on Wednesday, January 1, 2025, as announced by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA).
The Russian government, which chairs the economic bloc this year, relayed the information.
BRICS is a coalition of major emerging economies, now comprising nine members: Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, the United Arab Emirates, Iran, Egypt, and Ethiopia.
The bloc recently expanded to include 13 new “partners,” adding four Southeast Asian nations—Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam, and Indonesia—to its ranks.
Algeria, Belarus, Bolivia, Cuba, Kazakhstan, Nigeria, Turkey, Uganda, and Uzbekistan also joined.
“Thailand’s partnership with BRICS builds on its longstanding cooperation with the group, which began in 2017 when Thailand joined the BRICS Plus mechanism,” the MFA noted.
“This partnership offers significant opportunities to strengthen economic ties withBRICS member countries—emerging markets and developing countries with high growth potential,” the MFA stated.
The collaboration will focus on trade, investment, and tourism. It also aims to strengthen interpersonal connections between Thailand and the BRICS nations and other partners.
Furthermore, Thailand is committed to acting as a bridge builder, linking BRICS with other regional groups such as ASEAN, Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation, Asia Cooperation Dialogue, and the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation, according to the MFA.
“With Brazil set to assume the BRICSchair in 2025, Thailand, as a partner country, will have the opportunity to participate in some meetings that can support collaboration under the BRICS framework,” the ministry said.
Foreign Affairs Minister Maris Sangiampongsa has expressed hopes that Thailand will eventually become a full member of BRICS.
