Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has joined other world leaders in expressing shock over the massive fire that damaged the Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris on Monday.
The prime minister was saddened by the incident and expressed support for the French government and people, who had suffered a great loss, deputy government spokesman Werachon Sukondhapatipak said on Tuesday.
Gen Prayut was confident in the efforts of the French government to rebuild the famous 12th-century cathedral after the blaze.
French President Emmanuel Macron pledged to rebuild Notre-Dame cathedral after a blaze devastated large parts of the gothic gem. (Reuters video)
Pope Francis and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres were among world leaders who reacted with shock, horror and prayers to the fire.
The Thai embassy in France advised Thai citizens to avoid the area around Notre-Dame in central Paris as French authorities try to control the situation after the fire broke out on Monday.
Many Thais were tweeting their solidarity with France with the #PrayForNotreDame hashtag among the top trends in Thailand on Tuesday. The famous cathedral is a popular destination for tourists, including Thais, visiting the French capital.
French Junior Interior Minister Laurent Nunez said on Tuesday the cause of the fire is still not known and authorities are continuing their probe into how it started.
"The fire is under control but not totally extinguished," Nunez told a news conference just outside Notre-Dame.
Firefighters saved the main bell towers and outer walls from collapse before bringing the blaze under control.
Hours after a blaze engulfed the roof of the centuries-old Notre-Dame Cathedral, distraught Parisians and stunned tourists line the banks of the Seine River. (Reuters video)
