Thailand Seeks Full BRICS Membership
According to the English section of webangah News Agency, citing TASS via mehr News Agency, Thailand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that Bangkok has asked India to support its full membership in BRICS. This request was made during a meeting between Thailand’s Foreign Minister,Sihasak Phuangketkeow,and his Indian counterpart,Subrahmanyam Jaishankar.
The Thai foreign ministry said in a statement that the minister called on India to back Thailand’s bid for full BRICS membership during India’s chairmanship of the group in 2026.
The statement also noted that both sides discussed foreign policy issues and that Thailand emphasized its readiness to cooperate with India to strengthen regional integration.
In June 2024, Thailand officially informed Russia-the current BRICS chair-that it seeks to become a full member. Earlier, in december 2023, Russia had notified Bangkok that from January 1, 2025, thailand would be granted “BRICS partner Country” status. Thailand accepted Moscow’s invitation and regarded this step as an critically important milestone toward full membership.
BRICS was established in 2006 with Brazil, Russia, India, and China as founding members. South Africa joined in 2011. Egypt, Iran, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and Ethiopia became full members on January 1, 2024. Indonesia joined on January 6, 2025. Malaysia was recognized as a BRICS partner from January 1, 2025; at the same time Belarus, Bolivia, Kazakhstan, Cuba, thailand, Uganda and Uzbekistan also received partner status. Nigeria joined as a BRICS partner on January 17 and Vietnam followed on June 14.
