18 October 2023 at 12: 18 PUBLISHED
BEIJING – Srettha Thavisin, the prime minister, announced in Beijing on Wednesday that he had invited Russian President Vladimir Putin for a formal visit the following month.
Putin is now living in international isolation as a result of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and he has several friends.
In connection with the alleged deportations of thousands of Ukrainian children to Russia, the International Criminal Court ( ICC) has issued an arrest warrant for Putin.
Thailand chose to continue working with Russia despite not being a status party to the ICC Rome Statute.
On Tuesday night, Mr. Srettha and Putin met outside of China’s Belt and Road Initiative( BRI ) forum to talk about fostering trade and cultural ties.
Mr. Srettha said on Wednesday,” I invited him to visit Thailand following time.”
President Putin said, referring to a Thai beach island,” President Putin likes Phuket, I understand he travels frequently.”
Putin has accepted the invitation, according to a declaration from the Thai government, but no time has been determined.
According to the TASS Russian news agency, Putin lamented the decline in bilateral trade caused by a” stormy global position” during the conference with Srettha.
This time, more than a million Russians traveled to Thailand, which depends on hospitality.
Russians can now visit Thailand for up to three months, an boost from 30 days, thanks to recent changes to its immigration policies.
At a UN General Assembly voting last year to denounce Russia’s annexation of portions of Ukraine, Thailand joined China and India in abstaining.