Reports indicate that Thailand is now serving as a pivotal transit hub for the delivery of Chinese drones to Russia, effectively circumventing Western sanctions aimed at limiting military supplies to Moscow. In the first eleven months of 2025, Russia imported approximately $125 million worth of drones from Thailand, which constituted a striking 88% of Thailand’s entire drone export market. This marks an eightfold increase in drone exports compared to the previous year when Thailand had not exported any drones to Russia, underlining the growth of this trade relationship amid geopolitical tensions.

Interestingly, during the same period, China exported around $186 million worth of drones to Thailand, making it the principal supplier of drones to the country. This surge in trade highlights a significant shift in the regional arms supply dynamics, especially given that less than $1 million worth of drones were exported by Thailand in 2022. The increase in drone exports illustrates how countries may find ways to navigate and adjust to existing sanctions through intermediary nations, reshaping the market and potentially allowing for a more robust arms support to Russia amid ongoing conflict.

Among the key players in this trade is China Thai Corp., which was reported to have imported a staggering $144 million worth of drones from China to Thailand. However, this company has faced its own scrutiny, being sanctioned by the UK for its role in supplying military technology to Russia. This situation raises concerns about the effectiveness of current sanctions and suggests a complex web of relationships that may continue to develop as nations adapt to the ongoing conflict and changing political landscape.