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Putin in Phuket? Thai PM invites Russian president for state visit
- Russian President Vladimir Putin has accepted the invitation but a date has yet to be set, the Thai government said. He also plans to visit Vietnam
- Thailand and Vietnam are not state parties to the International Criminal Court, which issued a warrant for Putin’s arrest earlier this year
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Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin has invited Vladimir Putin for an official visit next year, he said in Beijing on Wednesday. The Russian president is also planning to visit Vietnam.
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Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has thrown Putin into international isolation, leaving him with few allies.
The International Criminal Court has issued an arrest warrant for Putin over the alleged deportations of thousands of Ukrainian children to Russia.
President Putin likes Phuket, I understand he travels often
Thailand – which, like Vietnam, is not a state party to the ICC Rome Statute – opted to maintain cooperation with Russia.
Srettha and Putin met on the sidelines of China’s Belt and Road Forum on Tuesday night and discussed boosting trade and cultural ties.
“I invited him to visit Thailand next year,” Srettha said on Wednesday.
“President Putin likes Phuket, I understand he travels often,” the Thai prime minister said, referring to a Thai resort island.
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