Russia–Thailand Cooperation Commission Holds Ninth Meeting in Moscow, Discusses Trade and Direct Flights
Dragon Media News Desk
The ninth meeting of the Russia–Thailand Commission on Bilateral Cooperation was held in Moscow on Friday, focusing on ways to expand economic and commercial cooperation between the two countries.
The Russian delegation was headed by Alexey Chekunkov, Minister for the Development of the Far East and Arctic, while Thailand was represented by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow.
According to the Russian government, the two sides discussed prospects for expanding cooperation in trade, investment, energy, agriculture, information technology, financial services, pharmaceuticals, creative industries and tourism.
The Russian side said bilateral trade between Russia and Thailand increased by 2.3 percent in 2025. Russian exports to Thailand rose by 25 percent during the same year and increased by a further 50 percent in the first five months of 2026.
The meeting noted that a solid foundation is being developed for expanding trade in energy resources, fertilisers, agricultural products and tourism services.
The two sides also discussed new opportunities for cooperation in pharmaceuticals, information technology, fintech and the creative industries. Russian technology developers are already entering the Thai market with cybersecurity and smart-city solutions, according to the Russian side.
Ways to strengthen financial and banking cooperation were also considered, including the development of infrastructure needed to facilitate financial transactions, business operations and investment.
Both sides expressed interest in expanding Thai investment in the Russian Far East. Russia has been positioning the region as an important platform for strengthening economic engagement with the Asia-Pacific, particularly in natural resources, infrastructure, energy, agriculture, tourism and industrial development.
The meeting also addressed the possibility of launching direct air services from Thailand to Russian cities. Expanded direct connectivity is expected to support tourism as well as business travel between the two countries.
Chekunkov said Russia and Thailand share a number of development priorities and could work together to develop technologies and production while promoting their products in global markets.
He noted that businesses in both countries have a strong interest in cooperation and said good bilateral relations, growing cultural ties and active tourist exchanges provide a solid foundation for expanding a stable and long-term partnership.
The Moscow meeting indicated that Russia and Thailand are seeking to broaden their economic relationship beyond traditional trade and tourism, with greater emphasis on high technology, the digital economy, financial infrastructure and investment in the Russian Far East.
