Deputy Prime Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow highlights the group's potential to expand economic cooperation and connect businesses across its members and partner countries
BRICS can play an important role in supporting international trade and investment flows, according to Sihasak Phuangketkeow, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Thailand. He made the remarks in an exclusive interview with TV BRICS, discussing the group's economic potential and Thailand's participation in BRICS cooperation.
"BRICS can play a very important role in maintaining the free flow of trade and investment. The group can also be a vehicle for all of us to engage and to look at economic opportunities," Sihasak Phuangketkeow said.
Thailand joined BRICS as a partner country in 2025 and is seeking full membership in 2026. According to the Thai official, participation in the group provides Bangkok with opportunities to strengthen ties with a wider range of countries and expand cooperation in areas including trade, investment and people-to-people contacts.
The Deputy Prime Minister noted that BRICS brings together its member states and partner countries, creating a broad platform for economic engagement.
Phuangketkeow also stressed the importance of cooperation between governments and the private sector. While governments have a key role in creating conditions for trade and investment, he said businesses ultimately need to drive economic activity.
The Thai official also highlighted BRICS as a platform for engaging with new partners and exploring economic opportunities. He noted that Thailand already maintains strong ties with BRICS countries but sees further potential for cooperation, including in science and other areas.
For Thailand, deeper engagement with BRICS is also linked to the country's broader economic strategy in Southeast Asia. The Kingdom is scheduled to chair ASEAN in 2028, with Bangkok placing particular emphasis on regional economic integration and maintaining ASEAN's central role.
Phuangketkeow said stronger connectivity would be another important factor in expanding trade and investment. He pointed to the India-Myanmar-Thailand Trilateral Highway as a potential major corridor linking Southeast Asia with South Asia and India.
"Once it's completed, it will be a major corridor for trade and also investment and people-to-people ties, because Southeast Asia is important," he said.
The Thai official said the highway could help boost trade not only between Thailand, Myanmar and India, but also between Southeast Asia and South Asia more broadly, strengthening economic links with India.
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![Sihasak Phuangketkeow]()
Sihasak PhuangketkeowDeputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Thailand"BRICS can play a very important role in maintaining the free flow of trade and investment. The group can also be a vehicle for all of us to engage and to look at economic opportunities"
