Prime Minister Anutin discussed with French President Emmanuel Macron raising Thailand-France relations to a strategic partnership emphasizing economic and security cooperation, alongside promoting the Thailand-European Union Free Trade Agreement (FTA).
On 26 May 2026, reporters reported that on Monday, 25 May at 20:30 local time in France (5 hours behind Thailand) at the Palais de l’Élysée in Paris, the French Republic, His Excellency Mr. Emmanuel Macron, President of the French Republic, hosted a warm dinner for Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Anutin Charnvirakul.
After the meeting, Ms. Ratchada Thanadirek, the spokesperson for the Prime Minister’s Office, summarized the key points of the joint discussion as follows:
1. Promoting trade and investment: Both the French President and the Thai Prime Minister agreed to jointly promote growth in trade and investment between their countries, especially in high-value industries such as alternative energy, aerospace and aviation, smart electricity grids, as well as infrastructure for AI and data centers—future-oriented sectors in which French private companies have high expertise and strong potential.
Following discussions with MEDEF International and leading French private sector companies, many expressed interest in investing or expanding investments in Thailand. Meanwhile, France praised Thai private sector investments in France and expressed a desire to see increased Thai investment in France.
2. Negotiations on the Thailand-European Union Free Trade Agreement (Thailand-EU FTA) remain a key policy for the Thai government, which is committed to completing the negotiations this year. The Prime Minister thanked France for its continuous support of the negotiation process, expressing confidence that the agreement will be a significant turning point that creates economic opportunities for both countries.
3. Elevating security cooperation towards cybersecurity: Since both countries participate in the Cobra Gold military exercise, they plan to expand cooperation in security and cybersecurity. This aligns with the Thai government’s approach to seeking global collaboration to combat scammers and online threats effectively, resulting in successful prosecutions, repatriation of suspects, arrests, and seizure of illegal assets.
4. The situation concerning Thailand-Cambodia and Myanmar.
The Prime Minister reaffirmed Thailand’s commitment to respecting sovereignty, peace, and international law. He explained that the decision to cancel MOU 44 was due to a lack of progress over nearly 25 years. Thailand has therefore chosen to apply international law, specifically UNCLOS, under bilateral talks. Regarding land border issues, Thailand will adhere to the joint statement signed late last year and expects Cambodia’s sincerity in implementing it.
On this occasion, both sides will advance a joint action plan to strengthen the Thai-French Partnership for 2026-2028, marking an important step toward elevating bilateral relations to a strategic partnership.
Notable French participants included Jean-Noël Barrot, Minister of Europe and Foreign Affairs; Éléonore Caroit, Deputy Minister for the Francophone Community and International Partnerships; Benoît Guidée, Director General for Asia and Oceania; Jean-Claude Poimboeuf, French Ambassador to Thailand; Emmanuel Bonne, Diplomatic Advisor to the French President; Julie Le Saos, Advisor on Asian Affairs; Jean-Noël Ladois, Advisor on International Communication; Victoire Vandeville, Advisor on International Economics; and General Vincent Giraud, Military Advisor to the French President.