AKP Phnom Penh, April 30, 2025 —

Minister of Foreign Affairs Maris Sangiampongsa represented Thailand at the BRICS Foreign Ministers’ Meeting and Partnership Session on April 29, representing the country’s first participation in the group as a partner nation. Held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, the meeting gathered foreign ministers from BRICS nations and partner countries to discuss broader cooperation and international collaboration.

Maris held bilateral talks with Brazilian Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira, affirming Thailand’s readiness to deepen collaboration with Brazil in areas such as food security, public health, agriculture, and renewable energy. He emphasized the strategic importance of Thailand’s existing ties with BRICS members, particularly China, India, and Russia, which remain key tourism and trade partners.

Thailand’s participation in the meeting underscores its broader objective of playing a more active role in global affairs and its contribution to cooperation among developing nations. Officials view this engagement as a step toward strengthening multilateral ties and supporting regional and global stability through inclusive dialogue.

Maris also attended a Muay Thai Master Class event in Rio de Janeiro, jointly organized by the Sports Authority of Thailand, the Royal Thai Embassy in Brasília, and the Brazilian Muay Thai Confederation. The event attracted over 300 participants and showcased Thai fighters offering hands-on training in the national martial art.

The foreign minister praised the growing international interest in Muay Thai, describing it as a cultural asset with real economic value.

AKP-NNT