PARIS, France – Their Majesties the King and Queen of Thailand, accompanied by Her Royal Highness Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana Rajakanya, proceeded to the Élysée Palace (Palais de l’Élysée) on 29 June 2026, during Their Majesties’ State Visit to the French Republic, from 28 June to 2 July 2026. They were welcomed by Mr. Emmanuel Macron, President of the French Republic, and his spouse, Madame Brigitte Macron. Photographs of Their Majesties together with the President and Madame Macron were taken at the entrance to the Élysée Palace.
The President and Madame Macron then invited Their Majesties to the Ambassadors Room, where they discussed several topics. On this occasion, the Government of the French Republic displayed significant historical documents relating to Thai-French relations, including (1) the Golden Letter sent by King Mongkut (Rama IV) to Emperor Napoleon III in 1861, (2) the Treaty of Friendship, Commerce, and Navigation between Siam and France signed in 1856, and (3) the Siamese Instrument of Ratification for the 1856 Treaty of Friendship, Commerce, and Navigation between Siam and France.
In the evening, Their Majesties the King and Queen, together with Princess Sirivannavari, proceeded to the Élysée Palace to attend the State Banquet hosted in their honor. President Emmanuel Macron and Madame Macron welcomed Their Majesties at the Cour d’Honneur, where photographs were taken at the entrance to the Élysée Palace. On this occasion, the President of the French Republic bestowed His Majesty the King the Grand-Croix of the Légion d’Honneur, and Her Majesty the Queen the Grand-Croix of the Ordre national du Mérite. Their Majesties then proceeded to the ballroom, where the State Banquet was held. President Macron delivered remarks welcoming Their Majesties on the occasion of their State Visit to the French Republic, noting that the visit would further strengthen the longstanding ties between the two nations.
His Majesty the King then delivered the following reply:
Mr. President,
The Queen and I are delighted to pay this State Visit to the French Republic. We sincerely thank you, Mr. President, the Government, and the people of France for your warm welcome, and for the kindness and respect you have consistently shown to my family as well as to the people of Thailand.
The Kingdom of Thailand and the French Republic have enjoyed a longstanding and close relationship, working together in many fields, including the economy, security, education, culture, and environmental conservation, for the benefit of the peoples of both countries. Last year marked the 340th anniversary of Thai-French relations, and this year marks the 170th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between our two nations. These milestones reaffirm the enduring bonds that have steadily grown stronger, both at the official level between our countries and at the personal level between our peoples.
I am therefore confident that the relationship between our two countries will continue to flourish in the years ahead, and that we will expand our cooperation across an even broader range of fields and at every level, for the prosperity and security of our peoples. This is especially important at a time when the world is undergoing rapid change and nations have an ever greater need to support one another in a spirit of friendship and goodwill.
I wish Your Excellency, Madame Macron, and the people of France every happiness and success. May the friendship between our two countries continue to prosper and endure. Following the King’s remarks, President Macron proposed a toast in honor of His Majesty the King, Her Majesty the Queen, and Her Royal Highness Princess Sirivannavari. (PRD)
