Thailand has become one of the key hubs for supplying dual-use goods to Russia, allowing Moscow to bypass Western sanctions. According to S&P Global, since 2022, exports of high-tech products from Thailand to Russia have increased more than tenfold.
This was reported by the Voice of America.
After Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the U.S. imposed sanctions on seven Thai companies involved in the export of strategically important components, including microchips and parts for military equipment. Washington is concerned that goods necessary for conducting the war are still flowing to Russia through Thailand.
In 2023, Thailand showed the sharpest growth in the export of such goods among 14 countries analyzed in a trade study with Russia. While the volume of supplies was $8.3 million in 2022, it surged to $98.7 million in 2023. This figure is expected to exceed $90 million again in 2024.
Among the companies sanctioned by the U.S. are NAL Solutions, Intracorp, and Siam Expert Trading. The U.S. Department of the Treasury accused them of creating an extensive network of intermediaries helping Russia bypass sanctions.
Thailand officially maintains neutrality in the war between Russia and Ukraine, but it maintains close economic ties with Moscow. In October 2023, Thailand's then-Prime Minister, Srettha Thavisin, met with Vladimir Putin and invited him to the country, emphasizing "close relations" between the two states.
In January 2024, Thailand joined BRICS, further strengthening its ties with Russia.
