Prime Minister Builds Confidence with French Investors, Highlights ASEAN Gateway Potential, Attracts AI Investment
Thailand's Prime Minister pitched the country as Southeast Asia's gateway to leading French investors in Paris, highlighting opportunities in AI, clean energy, and advanced manufacturing with over 38 companies in attendance.
At 9:00 AM on May 25, 2026 (Paris local time, 5 hours behind Thailand) at Salon Foch in Le Cercle de l'Union interalliée in Paris, Prime Minister Anuthine Charnveerakul and Interior Minister met with the French Employers' Association (MEDEF International) and delivered remarks at an Exclusive Meeting with the Prime Minister of Thailand. The event featured François Corbin, MEDEF International Vice President and Chairman of the Franco-Thai Business Council, alongside representatives from MEDEF International and over 38 companies.
The Prime Minister welcomed the strong interest from leading French companies and business leaders, reflecting French private sector confidence in Thailand and positioning this as a critical moment to invest in the country. He emphasized Thailand's potential as a key gateway to ASEAN and the Indo-Pacific region. France ranks as Thailand's 4th trading partner in the European Union, with bilateral trade valued at nearly 4.2 billion euros in 2025. Over the past five years, the Board of Investment (BOI) received investment promotion requests from nearly 100 French companies worth over 725 million euros.
The Prime Minister invited French private sector participation in new industries including clean and renewable energy, transportation infrastructure, aircraft maintenance and repair services (MRO), advanced manufacturing, biotechnology, digital industry, artificial intelligence (AI), biotech, electric vehicles (EV), and advanced battery technology. He assured investors that Thailand offers world-class infrastructure, integrated logistics systems, capable human resources, strong supply chains, and a business-friendly environment with attractive investment incentives.
The Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) receives full government support and is emerging as a modern industrial and technology hub for advanced industries and long-term technological cooperation. Thailand is transitioning to clean energy with easier access to renewable power, while the Thailand FastPass program facilitates strategic investment projects by significantly reducing approval and licensing timeframes.
Thailand's strengths include competitive costs, skilled workforce, strong local partnerships, and gateway access to ASEAN's market of over 700 million people and Asian markets. Advancing Thailand-France relations toward a strategic partnership and negotiating a Thailand-EU free trade agreement will create deeper cooperation opportunities. Thailand's OECD membership process demonstrates commitment to raising legal standards to international levels.
The Prime Minister welcomed MEDEF International delegates planning a Thailand visit in June, with plans to follow up on today's discussions and build economic partnership between Thailand and France.
