Southeast Asian nations Thailand and Malaysia have shown a keen interest in joining the BRICS economic alliance. Last month, Thailand officially submitted its application, and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim announced that Malaysia would soon begin the formal process. Peethi Sreesangam, Executive Director of the ASEAN Foundation, highlighted the trade and investment opportunities that BRICS membership could offer, emphasizing the group’s current lack of Southeast Asian representation. James Chin, Professor of Asian Studies at the University of Tasmania, noted that as middle powers, Thailand and Malaysia’s accession to BRICS would grant them greater voice in world affairs and bring significant trade benefits.
Rahul Mishra from the University’s Indo-Pacific Research Centre believes that Malaysia’s digital economy could develop faster through integration with the BRICS nations. Thailand could attract investments in the service, manufacturing, and agricultural sectors. The extensive trade relations of both countries with China have influenced their interest in joining BRICS.
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Maris Sanjampongsa, Thailand’s Foreign Minister, clearly stated that joining BRICS is not about choosing sides but about increasing economic opportunities while maintaining neutrality. Similarly, a survey by the Yusof Ishak Institute of Southeast Asian Studies showed that Malaysian public sentiment is favorable towards China.
Other Southeast Asian countries like Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia, due to their close relations with China, India, and Russia, are also potential BRICS candidates. Despite such speculations, Indonesia has decided to refrain from joining BRICS for the time being.
