BANGKOK — Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra held a telephone discussion with French President Emmanuel Macron on June 27, where France agreed to help coordinate with Cambodia on bilateral talks to resolve border issues and support Thailand’s efforts to combat transnational crime and call center gangs.
According to Thai Government Spokesperson, beyond confirming intentions to elevate Thai-French relations to a strategic partnership level, a key focus of the conversation was Thailand’s efforts to ease tensions with Cambodia.
The Thai leader outlined the Thai-Cambodian border situation, emphasizing Thailand’s commitment to peaceful resolution with good faith, based on good neighborly friendship, ASEAN unity, and international law principles.
She stressed that bilateral negotiations remain the most effective approach to finding constructive solutions that benefit both sides, and emphasized Thailand’s support for the Thai-Cambodia Joint Border Committee (JBC), which recently met in Phnom Penh, to continue its work effectively.
Thailand hopes France, as a close international partner, will play a supportive role in creating an atmosphere conducive to Thai-Cambodia bilateral negotiations. President Macron acknowledged Thailand’s intentions and agreed to consider coordinating cooperation with Cambodia.
Previously, President Macron had extended assistance to resolve the ongoing border dispute between Cambodia and Thailand during a meeting with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet in Nice, France on June 10, offering to facilitate document provision if needed and expressing willingness to help both countries resolve their differences peacefully.
In their first official conversation, PM Paetongtarn and President Macron expressed mutual satisfaction and extended formal invitations for official visits. The Paris Peace Forum 2025 is scheduled for late October.
PM Paetongtarn told President Macron that Thailand values ASEAN’s central role in addressing transnational crime, noting the government’s proactive measures against transnational crime, particularly call center gangs and cybercrime. Thailand confirmed its readiness to cooperate closely with neighboring countries and other international partners, including France. President Macron expressed his support for these efforts.
Both sides also discussed strengthening cooperation in trade and investment. Thailand thanked France for supporting its OECD membership bid and hoped for French support in Thai-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations.
Later, President Macron posted on his X account: “I just spoke with Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra. Our countries continue to grow closer! Facing the major challenges of our time, such as the erosion of the pillars of international trade, the Thai people can count on our friendship.”
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