BANGKOK, Thailand – Thailand’s Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra engaged in her first official telephone discussion with French President Emmanuel Macron since taking office. The two leaders expressed their mutual intention to elevate the bilateral relationship between Thailand and France to a strategic partnership, signaling a new chapter of enhanced cooperation.
Prime Minister Paetongtarn warmly welcomed the prospect of President Macron’s official visit to Thailand during his attendance at the upcoming Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie (OIF) summit in Cambodia next year. In turn, President Macron invited the Thai Prime Minister to visit France officially and to participate in the Paris Peace Forum, reinforcing the growing ties between the two nations.
Acknowledging the current global uncertainties affecting politics and economics, both leaders underscored the importance of deepening collaboration, particularly in trade and investment. France expressed a strong interest in expanding cooperation with Thailand in security and space technology sectors.
On geopolitical matters, the leaders exchanged views on the ongoing global and regional economic competition. Thailand reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining balanced relations among world powers while supporting an international order based on universally accepted rules. The Thai government expressed gratitude to France for backing Thailand’s bid to join the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) and hoped for continued French support in Thailand’s ongoing Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations with the European Union. President Macron pledged to support Thailand’s efforts to ensure a smooth accession process to the OECD.
Within the ASEAN framework, Prime Minister Paetongtarn highlighted the region’s central role in tackling transnational crime and detailed Thailand’s proactive measures to combat cross-border criminal activities, notably call center scams and cybercrime. The Thai government remains prepared to collaborate closely with neighboring countries and international partners, including France, which welcomed these efforts and pledged its support.
Regarding the sensitive border situation between Thailand and Cambodia, the Prime Minister stressed Thailand’s commitment to peaceful resolution based on goodwill, friendship, ASEAN solidarity, and international law. She noted that bilateral negotiations remain the most effective path to constructive and mutually beneficial solutions. Thailand continues to support the work of the Joint Border Commission (JBC), which recently convened in Phnom Penh, and expressed hope that France, as a close international partner, would help foster a positive environment for dialogue between Thailand and Cambodia. President Macron acknowledged Thailand’s intentions and promised to coordinate with Cambodia accordingly.
The conversation also covered the conflict in the Middle East and the ongoing crisis in Myanmar. Prime Minister Paetongtarn reaffirmed Thailand’s position supporting a ceasefire and cessation of violence from all parties in Myanmar. Thailand is committed to playing a constructive role in supporting peace and political processes in Myanmar, endorsing Malaysia’s chairmanship of ASEAN and all efforts under the ASEAN framework. She emphasized the importance of open dialogue and participation spaces, expressing confidence that sustainable peace must be driven by the people of Myanmar and that all options leading to peace should be considered.
The dialogue marked a significant step toward bolstering Thai-French relations and underscored the importance of multilateral cooperation to address pressing regional and global challenges. (PRD)
