During official discussions held in Paris, Anutin Charnvirakul and Emmanuel Macron have agreed to elevate the relationship between Thailand and France to a strategic partnership. The meeting, which took place at the Élysée Palace, covered a wide range of topics including trade, investment, cybersecurity, defense, and advanced technology. Both leaders also took the opportunity to review regional developments concerning Cambodia and Myanmar.
A significant focus of the talks was on expanding collaboration in several key industries. Thailand and France agreed to enhance cooperation in sectors such as alternative energy, aerospace, aviation, smart power grids, and artificial intelligence infrastructure. Furthermore, France reaffirmed its commitment to support the conclusion of negotiations on the Thailand-European Union free trade agreement by the end of this year. Originally initiated in 2013 and suspended in 2014, the free trade talks resumed in 2023, with Thai officials optimistic about the economic opportunities the agreement could bring to both nations.
The two countries also committed to strengthening their defense and cybersecurity partnership. This includes joint efforts to tackle cybercrime, online scams, and transnational digital threats. On regional issues, Thailand reiterated its dedication to resolving border disputes with Cambodia through peaceful dialogue and adherence to international law frameworks.
In line with these discussions, both governments announced their intention to implement the Joint Action Plan to Strengthen the Thai-French Partnership 2026-2028. This initiative is expected to lay the groundwork for a formal strategic partnership between the two nations in the coming years.
During his visit, Anutin also engaged with executives from major French companies such as Airbus, Imerys, EssilorLuxottica, IN Groupe, and Thales Group to encourage further investment in Thailand’s high-tech and future industries. French companies expressed confidence in the investment climate of Thailand, with Airbus confirming plans to expand its aviation and engineering operations within the country.