HomeThailand and Russia have established formal extradition arrangements through a bilateral treaty that was signed in October 2024. This agreement creates a legal framework for the transfer of individuals accused or convicted of crimes between the two countries. The treaty has been ratified by Russia as of 2025, while it awaits completion of Thai legislative procedures before entering into full force.
The legal foundation for extradition between Thailand and Russia rests primarily on Thailand’s Extradition Act B.E. 2551 (2008) and corresponding Russian federal legislation governing international criminal cooperation. These domestic laws establish the procedural requirements, safeguards, and limitations that govern how extradition requests are processed, ensuring that transfers comply with both countries’ constitutional and legal standards.
Under the current framework, extradition requests are processed through Thailand’s Central Authority, the Office of the Attorney General, and must meet key requirements including double criminality with a minimum one-year penalty threshold. The agreement includes standard protections such as the political offense exception and rule of specialty, while Thai nationals are generally protected from extradition unless specific treaty provisions or Cabinet approval apply.
Does Thailand Have an Extradition Treaty with Russia?
Treaty: Signed
Signed: 2024
Status: Ratified by Russia 2025; EIF pending
Thailand and Russia have recently established formal extradition arrangements through a bilateral treaty signed in October 2024. The agreement was ratified by Russia in June 2025, but entry into force remains pending completion of Thai legislative procedures.
Under this treaty framework, extradition requests between the two countries are processed through Thailand’s Central Authority, which is the Office of the Attorney General. The treaty incorporates standard international extradition principles, including the requirement of double criminality with a minimum penalty threshold of one year imprisonment, the rule of specialty, and exceptions for political offenses.
Thai nationals are generally protected from extradition under domestic law, though the treaty may permit such extradition in specific circumstances with proper consent or Cabinet approval. The agreement follows Thailand’s established legal framework under the Extradition Act B.E. 2551 (2008).
In cases where the treaty is not yet fully operational or applicable, extradition may still be possible on the basis of reciprocity under Thailand’s domestic extradition legislation, provided all legal requirements and safeguards are met.
Extradition Process from Thailand to Russia
| Aspect | Description |
|---|---|
| Initiating authority | Russian Federation through diplomatic channels via Thailand’s Central Authority (Office of the Attorney General) |
| Thai courts involved | Criminal Court, Court of Appeals, and Supreme Court of Thailand for judicial review and final determination |
| Timeframes | 6-18 months depending on case complexity, appeals, and procedural requirements |
| Treaty details | Signed October 23, 2024; Ratified by Russia June 2025; Entry into force pending Thai ratification procedures |
| Typical crimes | Fraud, corruption, drug trafficking, money laundering, cybercrime, violent crimes (subject to double criminality requirement) |
The Thailand-Russia extradition treaty was signed on October 23, 2024, with Russian ratification completed in June 2025, though it awaits final Thai procedural completion for entry into force. Key provisions include double criminality requirements (minimum 1-year penalty), rule of specialty, political offense exceptions, and general non-extradition of Thai nationals unless the treaty specifically permits or with consent/Cabinet approval – if no treaty applies, extradition may still be possible on reciprocity basis under Thailand’s Extradition Act B.E. 2551 (2008).
Grounds for Refusal
Thai extradition law recognizes several fundamental circumstances under which extradition requests must be denied, reflecting international legal principles and human rights protections. The most prominent example involves political offences, where individuals facing charges related to political activities or beliefs cannot be extradited, as such cases are typically viewed as matters of conscience rather than criminal conduct deserving international cooperation.
The issue of dual citizenship presents another significant barrier to extradition proceedings. When a requested person holds both Thai and Russian nationality, Thai authorities face complex legal considerations regarding their obligation to protect their own citizens. This dual status often creates jurisdictional conflicts and may serve as grounds for refusal, particularly when the individual’s primary ties and residence are in Thailand rather than the requesting state.
International human rights standards mandate careful examination of potential consequences awaiting extradited individuals, with particular attention to the risk of death penalty or torture. Thai courts and authorities must assess whether adequate assurances have been provided by the requesting country to ensure that the individual will not face capital punishment or cruel treatment, as such risks fundamentally violate Thailand’s commitment to international human rights conventions.
- Political or military offences – Activities related to political beliefs or military service
- Risk of persecution – Based on race, religion, nationality, or political opinion
- Double jeopardy (ne bis in idem) – Already tried for the same offence
- Time-barred offences – Statute of limitations has expired
- Death penalty without assurances – No guarantee against capital punishment
The recent extradition treaty between Thailand and Russia, signed in October 2024 with Russian ratification completed in June 2025, establishes specific procedural requirements while awaiting Thai ratification procedures. Requests must be processed through Thailand’s Central Authority at the Office of the Attorney General, with strict adherence to double criminality requirements (minimum one-year penalty), the rule of speciality, and political offence exceptions. Thai nationals generally cannot be extradited unless the treaty specifically permits or Cabinet approval is obtained. In contrast to these protective limitations, extradition procedures typically proceed smoothly for conventional criminal matters including fraud, corruption, drug trafficking, money laundering, cybercrime, and violent crimes, where clear criminal intent exists without political or human rights complications.
Notable Cases of Extradition from Thailand to Russia
In 2025, Thailand processed several high-profile extradition requests from Russia, including a case involving a Russian national charged with large-scale narcotics trafficking through Southeast Asian networks.
Another significant case involved an online fraud scheme targeting Russian financial institutions, where the suspect allegedly orchestrated cryptocurrency-based money laundering operations from Bangkok.
The legal framework governing these extraditions was established through the bilateral extradition treaty signed on October 23, 2024, with Russian ratification completed in June 2025, though Thai procedural implementation remains pending. All extradition requests are processed through Thailand’s Central Authority, specifically the Office of the Attorney General. The treaty requires double criminality with a minimum penalty of one year imprisonment, adherence to the rule of specialty, and includes exceptions for political offences. Thai nationals are generally protected from extradition unless the treaty specifically permits it or with explicit consent and Cabinet approval. In cases where no treaty exists, extradition may still be possible on the basis of reciprocity under Thailand’s Extradition Act B.E. 2551 (2008).
Grounds for refusal include political or military offences, risk of persecution based on race, religion, nationality, or political opinion, double jeopardy principles (ne bis in idem), time-barred offences, and cases involving the death penalty without adequate assurances of commutation.
Extraditable offences typically encompass fraud, corruption, drug trafficking, money laundering, cybercrime, and violent crimes, provided they meet the double criminality requirement and minimum penalty thresholds established under the bilateral agreement.
Alternatives and Legal Defense
Individuals facing extradition from Thailand to Russia have several legal avenues available to challenge the proceedings. These include filing appeals through Thailand’s court system, securing experienced legal representation to identify procedural violations or substantive defenses, and exploring asylum pathways where persecution risks exist. The strength of each defense depends on the specific circumstances of the case, the nature of the alleged crimes, and the individual’s personal situation.
| Option | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Appeal | Extradition decisions can be challenged through Thailand’s appellate courts. Common grounds include procedural errors, insufficient evidence, political offence exceptions, double jeopardy (ne bis in idem) violations, time-barred prosecutions, and lack of death penalty assurances. Appeals must demonstrate that extradition would violate Thai law or international obligations. |
| Defense by lawyer | Experienced extradition attorneys can identify weaknesses in the requesting state’s case, challenge evidence authenticity, argue political motivation, and ensure proper procedural compliance. Defense strategies often focus on the double criminality requirement (minimum 1-year penalty), rule of speciality violations, and demonstrating risks of persecution or unfair trial in Russia. |
| Asylum pathways | Individuals facing political persecution, torture, or death penalty risks may seek refugee protection. This is particularly relevant for cases involving political or military offences, where extradition may expose the person to persecution based on political opinion, religion, or other protected grounds under international refugee law. |
The Thailand-Russia extradition treaty, signed October 23, 2024, with Russian ratification in June 2025, currently awaits Thai procedural completion. Extradition requests are processed through Thailand’s Central Authority (Office of the Attorney General) and must satisfy double criminality requirements, rule of speciality, and political offence exceptions. While Thai nationals are generally protected from extradition, exceptions may apply with Cabinet approval or treaty provisions. For cases involving fraud, corruption, drug trafficking, money laundering, cybercrime, or violent crimes, the treaty framework provides specific procedures, though individuals retain rights to challenge proceedings where persecution risks or procedural violations exist.
