Russian PM's visit a boost for Thais, focus on trade, tourists

Medvedev's two-day visit follows criticism from some Westerncountries and the United Nations of sweeping security powersgranted to the military last week after martial law was liftedin most areas.
Political worry, especially after the May 22, 2014, coup,has hurt Thailand's tourist industry and it is keen to lure moreRussian visitors to its Buddhist temples, beaches and bars.

Thailand has stepped up engagement with both China andRussia in response to cooler ties with old ally the UnitedStates and other Western countries worried about the suspensionof democracy and curtailment of some human rights.

Thailand accused the United States in February of meddlingin its political affairs.

A Thai government spokesman, Yongyuth Mayalarp, said Russiaand Thailand would sign five memorandums of understanding onWednesday on increasing cooperation on energy, investment,suppressing drug crime, tourism and culture.

Russia has also shown interest in buying rubber fromThailand, the world's biggest grower and exporter of thecommodity, and Medvedev was expected to follow up on earliertalks on cooperation with Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha.

"The Russian prime minister has expressed interest in Thaiagriculture products including rubber," Yongyuth said.

Medvedev's visit, the first by a Russian prime minister in25 years, will include stops at Bangkok's glittering GrandPalace and Temple of the Emerald Buddha.

The rouble's sharp decline over the past year is exacting atoll on Southeast Asian tourism as Russians think twice abouttheir next beach holiday in Thailand, Cambodia andVietnam.

Thailand drew 1.6 million Russian tourists in 2014, down 8.6percent.

"Talks aimed at enticing Russian visitors to Thailanddespite the Russian currency's depreciation are high on theagenda," said Yongyuth.

The military seized power after months of at times violentprotests against a populist government.

It has promised to hold elections next year but democracyactivists worry about the stifling of dissent and the conditionsthe vote will be held under.

The junta's decision to lift martial law has failed toappease critics. The United States and the United Nationsexpressed alarm over new security measures introduced instead ofmartial law with the United Nations calling the "even moredraconian".