Материалы чтений памяти Б. Н. Мельниченко и С. Е. Трифонова

115 lecturers at universities, and some may start and run their own business in tourism. Moreover, Thammasat University together with the State Linguistic University of Nizhny Novgorod founded the Russian and Commonwealth of Independent States Center at Thammasat Univer- sity in November 2015 with the purpose of building the knowledge and developing the personnel with knowledge and understanding of Russia and the Commonwealth of Independent States Center through academ- ic activities, seminars, researches, and the academic exchange between Thai and Russia institutions as they help support the understanding of Russia and the Commonwealth of Independent States among Thai cit- izens and connect the people and institutions from both countries to- gether [TIARA 2021]. In addition, the science and technology institution like the Nation- al Science and Technology Development Agency together with the In- formation Technology Foundation under the Initiative of Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn provides the master’s de- gree scholarships at Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology [ มูลนิธิ เทคโนโลยีสารสนเทศตามพระราชดำ�ริสมเด็จพระเทพรัตนราชสุดา ฯ สยามบรมราชกุมารี 2563]. It shows that many sectors have been trying to support specialists with good knowledge and understanding about Russia to improve future cooper- ation. In terms of the cultural cooperation, the Thai Embassy inMoscow is the important agency that proceeds with cultural diplomacy as the em- bassy uses soft power to support the reputation and enhance the aware- ness of Thailand through the Thai cultural performance, Thai boxing demonstration, and Thai cooking demonstration like at the “Taste of Thailand” event in April 2021 [ สถานเอกอัครราชทูต ณ กรุงมอสโก 2562]. The em- bassy also cooperates with the leading institutions of Russia in order to establish “Hong Thai” by providing books and related documents about Thailand to be kept there [MFA Thailand 2013]. 3. Conclusion Cultural and humanitarian cooperation is a factor that helps sup- port Thai-Russia relations. Mutual understandings between the citi- zens of both countries facilitate traveling, which positively supports the tourism industry, trades, and investment. The institutions, especially in Thailand, also play a significant role in enhancing the understanding that improves the cooperation because they have the specialists that