The extradition of suspected Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout to the United States will not affect Thailand's relations with Russia, National Security Council chief Thawil Pliensri said on Tuesday.

He said concerned authorities of Thai Foreign Ministry have been in contact with its Russian counterparts over the matter before the cabinet's resolution on Bout's extradition on Tuesday. Soon after the cabinet had given green light on extradition of the accused world's premier arms trafficker Viktor Bout Tuesday morning, Bout was released from Bang Kwang Prison and escorted to Don Muang airport.

Bout finally left on the U.S.-government jet at around 01:30 p. m. local time.

Viktor Bout, dubbed the "Merchant of Death", was arrested in Bangkok for being accused by the U.S. to supply weapons to some terrorist groups and conflict zones in Africa, South America and the Middle East. He was indicted in the U.S. for conspiring to kill Americans and the U.S. employees as well as selling weapons to terrorists which could make him face life penalty in prison if convicted.