The article contains a description of the methodology and research data, the purpose of which was to find out the motivation of Thai students to study Russian language and culture, as well as to compare the motivation of Thai students studying in universities in Russia and Thailand. The diagnostic sample consisted of 286 students studying the Russian language and culture, including 33 students in Russian universities and 253 students in Thai universities. The diagnostic method was intramural and remote questioning in the context of the learning situation (Z. Durnay). The study showed that both groups of students have a predominantly external motivation to study the Russian language, which is due to their ideas about the demand for knowledge of the Russian language in the labor market. Somewhat different motivation was manifested in relation to the study of Russian culture by students. Fundamentally different were the techniques of motivation on the part of teachers in the perception of students. If in Russia it was mainly the teacher’s desire to facilitate the learning process, in Thailand teachers are more focused on encouraging student activity. In addition, the motivation of Thai students on the level of the learning situation in Russian universities - the teacher uses techniques to facilitate learning Russian. While the key factor of Thai students in universities in Thailand - the teacher constantly stimulates the activity of students in the learning process