Reuters · Nation Thailand
Anutin’s Russia trip tests Thailand’s bid to revive sanctions-hit trade
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Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul’s trip to Russia for the ASEAN-Russia summit in Kazan is shaping up as a key test of Thailand’s ability to revive trade with Moscow, as bilateral commerce remains well below pre-war levels and businesses continue to
Key facts
- Anutin, who also serves as interior minister, is scheduled to attend the summit from June 17-18, 2026, with trade, investment and energy cooperation expected to be high on Thailand’s agenda
- After the war broke out and sanctions were imposed in 2022, total trade fell to 64.56 billion baht, down 26.06%
- The former Thai-Russian Business Council chief said Thailand and Russia had once targeted bilateral trade of US$10 billion, a goal set in 2014 during the government of General Prayut Chan-o-cha and intended to be reached by 2016.
- Thai exports dropped even more sharply, falling 37.87% to 20.29 billion baht.
- Total trade stood at 17.21 billion baht, down 24.61% from the same period a year earlier
- Thai exports plunged 40.07% to 7.85 billion baht, while Thailand returned to a trade deficit of 1.51 billion baht.
Summary
Anutin, who also serves as interior minister, is scheduled to attend the summit from June 17-18, 2026, with trade, investment and energy cooperation expected to be high on Thailand’s agenda. Government spokesperson Rachada Dhnadirek earlier said the visit was intended to open new markets, create opportunities for Thai businesses, attract investment and strengthen Thailand’s long-term competitiveness.
The summit, held in Kazan, marks 35 years of ASEAN-Russia relations and will include discussions on political, economic and humanitarian cooperation, as well as a Russia-ASEAN Business Forum on June 17.