On 4 May 2026, Ms. Somrudee Poopornanake, Acting Director-General of the Department of European Affairs, held a meeting with Mr. Benoît Guidée, Director for Asia and Oceania at the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs of France, in Paris, France.

Both sides reviewed cultural cooperation activities to be held this year on the occasion of the 170th anniversary of Thailand - France diplomatic relations. The Thai side highlighted key initiatives it will host with support from France, including the photo contest “Trait d’Union: Connecting Thailand - France in Everyday Life,” to be exhibited at the Bangkok Art and Culture Centre, and the exhibition “La Mode en Majesté: Royal Thai Dress from Tradition to Modernity” at the Musée des Arts Décoratifs in Paris.

Both sides also discussed strengthening bilateral relations across various fields, including promoting high-level exchanges and the planned signing of the Joint Action Plan for 2026 - 2028, which will serve as a mechanism to advance future cooperation and elevate Thailand - France relations to a strategic partnership. In addition, they welcomed progress in the Thailand - EU FTA negotiations and discussed cooperation on security issues, including combating online scams, as well as enhancing France’s role in ASEAN.