Thai Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Nikondet Phalangkun announced on Dec. 26 that Thailand had formally accepted the invitation to join the BRICS as a partner state, issued after the Oct. 22-24, 2024 BRICS summit in Kazan, Russia. TASS reported Phalangkun saying at a briefing: “On Oct. 31, Thailand received an invitation to become a BRICS partner state from Russia, the group’s 2024 chair. On Dec. 24, the cabinet held a meeting, deciding that Thailand would give a positive response to the invitation. On the same day, the Thai foreign minister sent a letter to the Russian foreign minister, confirming Thailand’s consent to join BRICS as a partner state,” he pointed out. “Becoming a BRICS partner state is an important step for Thailand on its way to eventually join BRICS as a full-fledged member,” the diplomat added. In the process, Thailand can be the builder of bridges between BRICS nations and other countries, the Foreign Ministry spokesperson noted.