Russian PM visits Bangkok

The Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev arrived in Thailand on Tuesday, 7-th April for a visit aimed at expanding trade and the ruling military will be keen to highlight international support. Mr. Medvedev's two-day visit is the first by a Russian prime minister in 25 years and follows criticism from some Western countries and the United Nations of sweeping security powers granted to the military last week after martial law was lifted in most areas.

Thailand has stepped up engagement with both China and Russia in response to cooler ties with old ally the United States and other Western countries worried about the suspension of democracy and curtailment of some human rights. Thailand accused the United States in February of meddling in its political affairs

The Russian premier and Gen Prayut Chan-ocha have hold talks on Wednesday, where they focused on enhancing bilateral economic relations, .Russia and Thailand have sign five memorandums of understanding on Wednesday 8 of April on increasing cooperation on energy, investment, suppressing drug crime, tourism and culture. Russia has also shown interest in buying rubber from Thailand, the world's biggest grower and exporter of the commodity, and Mr. Medvedev was expected to follow up on earlier talks on cooperation with Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha. The talks were preceded by an official meeting ceremony at which Chan-o-cha expressed the desire to focus on the issues of cooperation in the spheres of trade and investments during his meeting with Medvedev. Chan-o-cha expressed certainty that any problems in the relations between Russia and Thailand can be solved and asked Medvedev to convey best wishes to the Russian President Vladimir Putin. The Russian Prime Minister has expressed interest not only in rubber but also in Thai agriculture productsDmitry Medvedev wished Thai government success with the reforms it is currently conducting.

The ruble's decline in last year is exacting a toll on Southeast Asian tourism as Russians think twice about their next beach holiday in Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam. According to official statistics Russian tourists down 8.6 % compare to the same period 2014. Talks aimed at enticing Russian visitors to Thailand despite the Russian currency's depreciation are high on the agenda.

Mr Medvedev's entourage includes Russian Industry and Trade Minister Denis Manturov, who discussed with his Thai counterpart collaboration in civil aircraft manufacturing, the automotive industry,. And the Russian Prime minister with his colleagues had a fruitful meeting with the Chairmen and CEOs of the leading Thai companies, including SCG, CP Group, PTT, Loxley, Kasicornbank and others., Mr.Medvedev also stopped at Bangkok's glittering Grand Palace and Temple of the Emerald Buddha.

In his press conference the Russian Prime Minister said " during our first meeting we agreed to intensify the relations [between our two states] and we believe that absolutely all the conditions for doing so are currently in place".