Russian and Thai Chambers of Commerce Target Long-Term Investment and Supply Chain Resilience

Key summary

At the Russian-Thai Investment Forum 2026 held on October 30 at the Royal Orchid Sheraton Riverside Hotel in Bangkok, representatives from the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Russian Federation and the Thai Chamber of Commerce discussed converting a reported 13% rise in bilateral trade in the second quarter of 2026 into sustainable investment, reliable supply chains, and practical partnerships. Vladimir Padalko, vice president of the Russian Chamber, outlined support services including partner identification, expert product assessments, and arbitration for disputes. Dr Chanintr Chalisarapong, vice president of the Thai Chamber and chairman of its International Trade Development Committee, highlighted opportunities in Russian agricultural production for Thailand's food-processing and animal-feed industries, citing food security as a key area amid geopolitical uncertainty and rising costs. Vitaly Kiselev, president of the Thai-Russian Chamber of Commerce, noted that recent trade growth should be contextualized against 2012 figures and an imbalance favoring Russian exports, while also pointing to competition from Vietnamese products under a free-trade agreement. He proposed focusing on technology, agriculture, localized production, and joint exports rather than simple bilateral transactions. Boris Stupnitsky, president of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Primorsky Krai, presented Russia's Far East as an investment destination for Thai firms in agriculture, fisheries, and processing, mentioning potential tourism cooperation involving Phuket. Kongsak Khoopongsakorn, chairman of the Phuket Chamber of Commerce, emphasized the economic importance of Russian tourists and the chamber's role in connecting overseas businesses with local networks. Lyudmila Kozlova, president of the Ryazan Chamber of Commerce and Industry, detailed 22 industrial clusters in her region covering electronics, IT, pharmaceuticals, manufacturing, and agriculture, noting exports to over 100 countries including Vietnam, Indonesia, and Malaysia. Duong Thu Huong, chairwoman of the Thai-Vietnam Chamber of Commerce, prioritized building trust, defining specific projects, and strengthening regional connections between Russia, Thailand, and Vietnam in fields like medical tourism, food security, digital innovation, logistics, and investment. Aung Ko Ko Oo, executive director of the Myanmar Digital Economy Association, encouraged Russian firms to use Thailand as a base for accessing ASEAN markets, citing infrastructure and industrial capacity, and identified digital infrastructure, cybersecurity, fintech, smart manufacturing, and green technology as key areas.