Prime Minister Anutin invites Airbus along with leading French private companies to increase investment, promoting AI, EV, aviation, and cybersecurity to support Thailand as the region's future industrial center.
On 26 May 2026, a reporter reported that on Monday, 25 May at 10:45 a.m. local French time (five hours behind Thailand), at Salon Foch, 1st floor, Le Cercle de l’Union interalliée, Paris, France, Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Anutin Charnvirakul met with senior executives of five leading French companies: 1. Mr. Frank Wittchen, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Imerys S.A.; 2. Mr. Philippe Pezet, Senior Vice President and Head of International Affairs at Airbus Group SE; 3. Mr. Eric Javellaud, Senior Vice President of EssilorLuxottica; 4. Ms. Agnès Diallo, Chairperson and CEO of IN Groupe; and 5. Mr. Philippe Vallée, Executive Vice President and Board Member of Thales Group, to invite investment in Thailand's industries of the future.
After the meeting, Ms. Ratchada Thanadirek, spokesperson for the Prime Minister's Office, revealed that the Prime Minister emphasized Thailand's potential as a regional hub for industry, technology, and innovation. He expressed gratitude to the French private sector for their continued confidence and investment in Thailand. The French private sector praised Thailand's capabilities, readiness, and investment support measures.
Regarding discussions with Imerys S.A., a global leader in advanced materials and producer of graphite and conductive carbon black—key materials in lithium battery electrodes for EVs and high-performance energy storage systems supporting fast charging—the Prime Minister invited Imerys S.A. to consider investing in Thailand to strengthen the EV supply chain. He emphasized Thailand as the largest EV production base in the region, ready to support advanced material manufacturers.
Airbus Group SE, Europe's largest aircraft and defense system manufacturer, expressed confidence in Thailand's potential. The company recently expanded operations in Thailand to serve as a base supporting development of aviation systems using digital and modern aviation technologies, including technical support, engineering, and personnel development. Thailand will be a key operational center outside France, employing over 160 specialized engineers with plans to increase to over 200.
Similarly, EssilorLuxottica, the world's leading lens and eyewear group, decided to expand investment in producing smart glasses or AI Glasses in Thailand. This combines AI and smart electronics with high-end eyewear, enabling wearers to capture images and sound, listen to music, or connect to AI assistants for language translation or location and object recognition controlled via voice commands through the glasses.
IN Groupe, a French leader in digital identity systems specializing in passports, digital ID cards, driver's licenses, and government Digital ID systems, proposed collaboration with Thailand to develop a new generation Digital ID system for the government. This includes biometric technology and digital identity verification, enhancing Thailand's capability as a production base and secure ID testing center for CLMV countries and ASEAN.
Additionally, Thales Group, a global leader in defense, aerospace, digital security, and cybersecurity technologies, providing services covering cybersecurity systems, national defense, and e-passport development, proposed cooperation to develop cybersecurity infrastructure between the company and the Thai government.
At the conclusion, the Prime Minister confirmed that the government supports the French private sector in expanding investment in Thailand’s new industries and advanced technologies. Relevant Thai agencies, including the Board of Investment (BOI), are ready to facilitate and promote investment measures to advance Thailand as a future hub of economy, technology, and innovation in the region.