France's President Macron asserts Thailand's friendship is unwavering
France and Thailand Strengthen Ties in Trade, Security, and Technology
In a significant development, French President Emmanuel Macron and Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra held their first official conversation since Paetongtarn took office on June 27, 2025. The discussion focused on enhancing cooperation between the two nations, particularly in the areas of trade, investment, security, and technology.
Trade and Investment
France's 2025 Indo-Pacific strategy prioritises strengthening partnerships to boost trade, investment, sustainable development, and digital and green transitions. France aims to mobilise the private sector to expand economic ties in the region, recognising the importance of connectivity and resilient supply chains. Thailand, recovering from regional border conflicts and political instability, seeks diversified investment sources and technological cooperation.
Security
France's strategy includes a sharpened focus on regional stability and security, partly driven by concerns about China's assertiveness and military expansion. France maintains military cooperation and security dialogues in the Indo-Pacific, bolstered by its overseas territories’ strategic presence. Thailand's security environment has been challenged recently by border conflicts with Cambodia, during which Prime Minister Paetongtarn herself took initiatives on border management and security policies. Security collaboration with France would likely include intelligence sharing and joint efforts to ensure regional stability amid these tensions.
Space Technology
While space technology was not explicitly detailed in the search results regarding the June call, France’s broader Indo-Pacific strategy references advancing digital transitions and technological partnerships. France, a leader in aerospace, may seek to collaborate with Thailand in developing space technology capabilities, satellite deployment, and related innovations, consistent with both nations' interests in leveraging high-tech sectors in bilateral ties.
Diplomatic Relations and Strategic Cooperation
Historically, France-Thailand relations have been extensive since the 16th century, covering diplomatic, cultural, and economic ties. Macron's call with Paetongtarn likely reaffirmed commitment to deepening this historic partnership within contemporary frameworks aligned with EU and French strategic interests in Southeast Asia.
Looking Forward
Paetongtarn reaffirmed her commitment to elevating Thai-French relations to a strategic partnership as soon as possible. France aims to expand its collaboration with Thailand, particularly in the areas of security and space technology. The leaders agreed that the current uncertain political and economic situation calls for increased cooperation, especially in trade and investment.
Following the call, Macron posted a message on social media in both French and Thai, inviting the Prime Minister to visit France officially and to participate in the Paris Peace Forum. Paetongtarn welcomed the prospect of Macron visiting Thailand officially next year during the summit of the International Organisation of La Francophonie (OIF) in Cambodia. More detailed official statements or agreements about space technology cooperation or specific projects remain to be publicly disclosed.
- France, with its focus on digital and green transitions, hopes to attract Thailand's interest in collaborating on space technology, as both nations aim to leverage high-tech sectors in their bilateral ties.
- The political and economic uncertainty in the region necessitates increased cooperation, especially in trade and investment, as both France and Thailand seek to strengthen and diversify their economic ties.
- In the sphere of international diplomacy, the strategic partnership between France and Thailand is set to be elevated, potentially paving the way for enhanced cooperation in areas such as security and technology.
- Amid the backdrop of China's assertiveness and military expansion, France and Thailand, both recognizing the importance of regional stability, are expected to share intelligence and collaborate on joint initiatives to ensure the preservation of a stable and secure Indo-Pacific region.
