BANGKOK, Thailand – Thailand and France advance cultural and creative industry cooperation on the occasion of the 170th anniversary of diplomatic relations. On 22 May 2026 at 5.30 p.m. local time, Sabeeda Thaised, Minister of Culture of Thailand, met with Catherine Pégard, Minister of Culture of the French Republic, to mark the 170th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Thailand and France and to further strengthen the longstanding ties between the two countries, which date back more than 340 years to the reign of King Narai the Great. The meeting reaffirmed both countries’ shared commitment to enhancing cultural cooperation at the people-to-people, social, and creative industry levels. Thailand expressed its intention to deepen bilateral cooperation through concrete projects and high-level cultural initiatives.
The Minister of Culture stated that this visit reflects Thailand’s proactive approach to learning from France’s world-renowned cultural management models and adapting them to the Thai context, particularly in developing cultural and creative industries to enhance Thailand’s competitiveness on the international stage. In addition, the Thai Ministry of Culture delegation held discussions with leading French cultural organizations, including Comité Colbert, Centre National de la Danse (CND), and France Muséums. The talks focused on five key areas of cooperation: cultural and creative industries, film, performing arts exchanges, museums and cultural heritage, and collaboration under the UNESCO Creative Cities Network. Thailand is confident that this cooperation will further strengthen the long-term partnership between the two countries and enhance Thailand’s role in the international cultural and creative industries arena in a concrete and sustainable manner. (NNT)
