Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and French President Emmanuel Macron have agreed to elevate Thailand–France relations to a strategic partnership, deepening cooperation in trade, investment, cybersecurity and regional security.
Mr Macron hosted Mr Anutin and the Thai delegation for an official dinner at the Élysée Palace in Paris on Monday evening.
Discussions focused on strengthening bilateral ties across economic, technological and security sectors, as well as regional developments concerning Cambodia and Myanmar.
Both leaders agreed to expand trade and investment, particularly in high-value and future-focused industries where French companies possess strong expertise, including alternative energy, aerospace, aviation, smart electricity grids and infrastructure for AI data centres.
Government spokeswoman Rachada Dhnadirek said France reaffirmed its support for concluding the Thailand–EU free trade agreement negotiations within this year, a key priority for the Thai government.
Negotiations for the agreement were first launched in 2013 but were paused in 2014 following the military coup in Thailand. Talks were officially relaunched in March 2023.
Mr Anutin expressed confidence that the agreement would create new economic opportunities for both sides. The two countries also agreed to broaden defence and cybersecurity cooperation, building on existing collaboration through the annual US-led Cobra Gold military exercises.
Thailand emphasised its ongoing international partnerships to combat cybercrime, online scams and transnational digital threats. On regional issues, the Thai prime minister reiterated Thailand’s commitment to sovereignty, peaceful dialogue and international law regarding border disputes with Cambodia.
He said Thailand would continue discussions under international legal frameworks, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, while adhering to previously agreed joint statements on border issues.
Thailand and France also announced plans to implement the Joint Action Plan to Strengthen the Thai-French Partnership 2026-28, marking a further step towards formal strategic partnership status.
Mr Macron later shared photographs from the meeting on his social media accounts, describing the talks as an opportunity to build on 170 years of diplomatic ties.
Earlier that day, Mr Anutin met executives from five leading French companies to encourage further investment in Thailand’s future industries. The discussions included representatives from Imerys, Airbus, the eyewear and optical products maker EssilorLuxottica, the digital identity solutions specialist IN Groupe and the defence and aerospace firm Thales Group.
The French firms expressed confidence in Thailand’s investment climate and government support measures.
Imerys, a global producer of advanced materials used in EV battery components, was invited to invest in Thailand to strengthen the regional electric vehicle supply chain. Thailand is the region’s largest EV manufacturing base.
Airbus confirmed the expansion of its operations in Thailand as a strategic centre supporting digital aviation systems, engineering and specialist workforce development.
