Thailand made a determined diplomatic push at the recent BRICS Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Brazil, committing to deeper collaboration with the bloc while reaffirming its interest in becoming a full member.
This marked Thailand’s first participation as a BRICS Partner Country as the kingdom strives to shore up relations with major emerging economies and bolster multilateralism within the Global South.
A voice for the Global South
Speaking during the “Partnership Session” in Rio de Janeiro, Thai Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampongsa highlighted Thailand’s vision for BRICS, urging the bloc to unlock its collective development potential through business linkages, technological cooperation, and public health collaboration. He also emphasized Thailand’s readiness to pursue trilateral development initiatives alongside BRICS members to benefit other developing countries.
“Thailand will proactively engage in efforts to deepen cooperation within and alongside BRICS — fostering a multilateralism that is inclusive, equitable, and anchored in solidarity with the Global South,” Maris said.
The meeting included a dedicated session on “The Role of the Global South in Reinforcing Multilateralism,” which Thailand praised as timely amid shifting geopolitical and economic tides. Accordingly, the Thai Foreign Minister proposed that BRICS prioritize resilience by reinforcing healthcare systems, particularly in vaccine research and tropical disease prevention — areas where Thailand is poised to collaborate.
Bolstering bilateral ties with BRICS members
On the sidelines of the summit, Maris held high-level bilateral meetings with counterparts from China and Russia to deepen economic and regional cooperation. Talks with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi centered on infrastructure, cross-border crime prevention, and joint development under the Mekong-Lancang framework, reaffirming both nations’ commitment to regional stability.
Meanwhile, discussions with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov focused on expanding tourism, trade, and advancing negotiations on a possible Free Trade Agreement between Thailand and the Eurasian Economic Union. Additionally, the Foreign Minister thanked Russia for its cultural diplomacy in hosting Thai performers, including the Royal Bangkok Symphony Orchestra.
Amid global trade uncertainties, Thailand also reaffirmed its support for the multilateral trading system and the World Trade Organization (WTO) as vital to sustaining fair international commerce.
Reaching out to Africa
The summit also provided an opportunity for Thailand to strengthen ties with Ethiopia. Maris met with Ethiopian Foreign Minister Gedion Timotheos to discuss development partnerships, medical services, humanitarian coordination, and tourism collaboration. Ethiopia has expressed interest in Thailand’s development model and confirmed participation in the upcoming Thailand Development Forum for Africa, scheduled for May 11th to 16th, 2025 in Bangkok.
The meeting also touched on joint efforts to assist Ethiopian nationals who had been misled into working under exploitative conditions in Myanmar, with both countries pledging continued cooperation in combating human trafficking.
Looking ahead
The Thai Foreign Minister concluded his statement by reaffirming Thailand’s continued interest in BRICS membership. He cited the country’s current role as Chair of the Asia Cooperation Dialogue and its intention to host a high-level conference on international financial architecture as further signs of Thailand’s commitment to multilateral cooperation.
BRICS, now consisting of 10 member states and nine partner countries, represents nearly half of the world’s population and spans a wide range of sectors under its three pillars: politics and security; economy and finance; and cultural and people-to-people exchanges. Thailand’s involvement dates back to 2017, when the kingdom was invited to participate in the first BRICS Plus Leaders’ Meeting in Xiamen, China.
As BRICS expands its membership and influence, Thailand’s active engagement in Brazil highlights its commitment to supporting inclusive multilateralism, with the Global South having an essential role to play in shaping a more balanced and representative international system.
Teerin Julsawad