Moscow and Bangkok: Cooperation in 2026
On March 11, the annual general meeting of the Russian‑Thai Business Council was held at the Russian Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Sergey Cheremin, Minister of the Government of Moscow and Head of the Department for External Economic and International Relations, spoke about the dynamic development of bilateral ties between the Russian capital and the Kingdom of Thailand.
In his speech, Cheremin emphasized the special importance Moscow places on its partnership with Thailand. He noted that the cooperation between the two capitals, formally established by an agreement in 1997, is reaching a qualitatively new level. Despite global challenges, Moscow and Bangkok continue to demonstrate steady growth in trade and economic indicators.
“Russia’s capital is the main driver of trade exchange with Thai partners. The overwhelming volume of Thai imports passes through Moscow, while products from Moscow‑based companies are widely represented in Thai retail,” the minister stated. According to Russian statistics, bilateral trade turnover in 2025 reached $1.76 billion.
Cheremin also cited record tourist flows: in 2025, about 1.9 million Russian tourists visited Thailand, and positive dynamics continue into 2026. Direct flights between Moscow, Bangkok, and Phuket further support tourism development.
Speaking about technological cooperation, the Head of the Department for External Economic and International Relations noted the strong interest of the Bangkok administration in Moscow’s solutions for video analytics, digital public services, and smart urban utilities. Three Moscow digital products won awards at the IPITEX exhibition in Bangkok in January 2026.
Special attention was given to humanitarian projects and cultural exchange. Cheremin recalled the success of the 11th Thai Festival in Moscow’s Hermitage Garden, which attracted 40,000 visitors, and noted that Thailand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs had granted the festival “flagship project” status. The event will take place in Moscow from July 31 to August 2.
During his address, the minister announced the upcoming “Moscow Days” in Bangkok, scheduled for October 2026. As part of the event, a renewed cooperation program between the Moscow Government and the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration for 2026‑2028 is expected to be signed, giving an additional boost to friendly ties and business cooperation.
The meeting was attended by over 100 representatives of Russian business and government agencies, confirming the high level of interest in developing ties with Thailand. For its part, Moscow is ready to continue acting as a driver of this interaction, implementing joint projects in the economy, culture, and technology.