BANGKOK, November 25. /TASS/. Trade turnover between Russia and Thailand in the first nine months of 2024 reached $1.2 bln, Chairman of the Thai-Russian Business Council and the Federation of Thai Industries Kriengkrai Thiennukul told TASS.

"We have very good long-standing relations, which were established 127 years ago. Unfortunately, because of the sanctions, there are some difficulties and obstacles in trade between the countries, including payments. But I think the situation will improve, hopefully in the near future. The volume of bilateral trade will continue to grow. In the first nine months, Thailand exported $610 mln worth of goods to Russia, while imports from Russia amounted to $578 mln," he said, stressing that Thailand is interested in supplies of crude oil and fertilizers from Russia.

Thiennukul also noted the potential for developing tourist exchanges between the countries, stressing that "Russians are among the leaders in the number of tourists visiting Thailand". Since the beginning of the year, more than 1.4 mln Russian citizens have visited Thailand.