Russia Navy destroyer Admiral Panteleyev visits Thailand for 1st time since Ukraine war.

According to information published by Tass on November 22, 2023, the Russian Navy's Pacific Fleet vessel, the Udaloy-class destroyer Admiral Panteleev, has arrived in Thailand for a friendly visit, marking the first such occurrence since 2019.
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Russian Udaloy class destroyer Admiral Panteleyev in Thailand. (Picture source: Tass)

The Thai side is reportedly considering a reciprocal visit by a Thai Navy ship to Vladivostok. This visit continues the long-standing tradition of naval diplomacy between Russia and Thailand, dating back to the first Russian Imperial Navy visit in 1863.

The "Admiral Panteleev" had previously visited Sattahip in October 2019, along with the missile cruiser "Varyag" and the tanker "Pechenga." Since then, Russian combat ships had not visited the kingdom.

This event underscores the historical maritime diplomacy that has been pivotal in the development of diplomatic relations between Russia and Thailand. Russian naval visits have been instrumental in strengthening bilateral relations, starting from the visit of Russian Imperial Navy ships in 1863, followed by several significant visits, including that of the future Emperor Nicholas II in 1891.

The current mission of the Pacific Fleet vessels, including the "Admiral Tributs" and "Admiral Panteleev," involves conducting anti-submarine exercises in the Asia-Pacific region. These exercises include search and destroy missions for hypothetical enemy submarines, joint maneuvers, and various training activities for combat readiness.

Russia-Thailand

A key military cooperation agreement was signed in 2016 during a meeting between Thai and Russian leaders. These defense engagements are part of a broader bilateral relationship encompassing trade and diplomatic support, influenced by global dynamics such as Thailand's post-2014 coup shift in foreign alliances and Russia's strategic focus on expanding its influence in the Asia-Pacific.