ISTANBUL

Thai Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampongsa has said the Southeast Asia’s top second economy is “willing” to join the BRICS “as soon as possible.”

The statement comes after Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin-led Cabinet late last month approved a government draft letter, indicating Bangkok's intention to become a member of the bloc.

Maris made the remarks during a meeting with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi, on the sidelines of BRICS Foreign Ministers’ Summit in the Russian city of Nizhny Novgorod, said a statement released from Beijing on Wednesday.

“Thailand is willing to join the BRICS mechanism as soon as possible, (and) play a more active role in South-South cooperation, and strengthen coordination and cooperation with China on multilateral platforms,” Maris told Wang.

BRICS is a bloc of emerging economies, which includes Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa. It welcomed Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, and the United Arab Emirates as full members in January.

The group was founded in June 2006 at the St. Petersburg Economic Forum with the participation of the ministers of economy of Brazil, Russia, India, and China. It added South Africa in 2010.

The baton of one-year BRICS chairmanship was passed to Russia on Jan. 1.

During the term, Moscow intends to prioritize politics and security, economics and finance, and cultural and humanitarian relations.

Over 250 events are scheduled in more than 10 Russian cities in 2024. The main event will be the BRICS leaders’ summit in Kazan on Oct. 22-24.

​​​​According to Russian presidential aide for foreign affairs, Yury Ushakov, the BRICS has surpassed the Group of Seven in purchasing power parity, accounting for 35.6% of global GDP, while the G7 accounts for 30.3%.

Maris was in Nizhny Novgorod to attend the BRICS+ summit.​​​​​​​