Thailand
Kartavya Desk Staff
Source: WION
Subject: Mapping
Context: Thailand has formally expressed its intention to join BRICS, seeking India’s support ahead of New Delhi’s BRICS chairmanship in 2026.
About Thailand:
• Location: Thailand is a Southeast Asian country located in the centre of mainland Southeast Asia, entirely within the tropical zone.
• Capital: Bangkok is the capital and the largest urban and economic centre.
• Neighbouring Nations: Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia, and Malaysia.
• Geographical Features: Northern & Western Mountains: Granitic ridges, highest peak: Mount Inthanon (2,585 m). Khorat Plateau (Northeast): Tilted tableland with rolling terrain drained by Mekong tributaries. Chao Phraya River Basin (Central): Fertile alluvial plains forming the agricultural heartland. Southern Peninsula: Narrow peninsula with a mountainous spine and major islands like Phuket.
• Northern & Western Mountains: Granitic ridges, highest peak: Mount Inthanon (2,585 m).
• Khorat Plateau (Northeast): Tilted tableland with rolling terrain drained by Mekong tributaries.
• Chao Phraya River Basin (Central): Fertile alluvial plains forming the agricultural heartland.
• Southern Peninsula: Narrow peninsula with a mountainous spine and major islands like Phuket.
About BRICS:
• What it is? BRICS is a major geopolitical grouping of eleven countries: Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, UAE, Ethiopia, Indonesia, and Iran.
• BRICS is a major geopolitical grouping of eleven countries: Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, UAE, Ethiopia, Indonesia, and Iran.
• Established in: Concept coined in 2001, first ministerial meeting held in 2006, first leaders’ summit in 2009 and became BRICS with South Africa’s entry in 2011. Second major expansion occurred in 2024–25 with six new members.
• Concept coined in 2001, first ministerial meeting held in 2006, first leaders’ summit in 2009 and became BRICS with South Africa’s entry in 2011.
• Second major expansion occurred in 2024–25 with six new members.
• 2026 BRICS Summit Host: India will host the 18th BRICS Summit in 2026, taking over the presidency from Brazil.
• Key Features of BRICS: Promotes reform of global governance institutions (UNSC, IMF, World Bank). Focuses on economic resilience, financial cooperation, counterterrorism, energy security, and technology governance. Includes the New Development Bank (NDB) as its financial institution. Allows flexible participation modes such as Members, Partner Countries, BRICS Outreach and BRICS Plus.
• Promotes reform of global governance institutions (UNSC, IMF, World Bank).
• Focuses on economic resilience, financial cooperation, counterterrorism, energy security, and technology governance.
• Includes the New Development Bank (NDB) as its financial institution.
• Allows flexible participation modes such as Members, Partner Countries, BRICS Outreach and BRICS Plus.