Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin will hold a side-line meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin during his visit to Beijing.

Srettha told a press conference on Monday, after the Cabinet meeting, that he has a scheduled meeting with the Russian leader. This follows the Cabinet decision today (Monday) to extend the visa-free period for Russian tourists, from 30 to 90 days, to promote tourism.

An informed source told Thai PBS World that Srettha will meet Putin on Wednesday afternoon, after he attends the opening ceremony of the Belt and Road Forum. On Thursday, before he leaves Beijing, he will also meet Chinese President Xi Jinping.

It will be the first such meeting for both leaders. They are among dozens of leaders who are participating in the Third Belt and Road Initiative Cooperation Forum, being held in Beijing.

Putin, who was scheduled to attend the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation Leaders’ Meeting last November, pulled out in the last minute. He had been among the first leaders to confirm his participation, but the ongoing war with Ukraine undermined his intention to visit Thailand.

Thailand is among only a few countries with a visa-free agreement with Russia. In 2003, both countries signed the visa waiver agreement. Over one million Russian tourists visited Thailand during the first nine months of this year.