Royal visit marks France milestone

Five-day trip follows Macron invitation

Their Majesties the King and Queen's state visit to France marks a rare royal milestone, celebrating 170 years of diplomatic relations and reinforcing one of Thailand's oldest and most enduring partnerships with a European nation.

The five-day visit, taking place from Sunday to this Thursday at the invitation of French President Emmanuel Macron, is only the third official state visit to France by a reigning Thai monarch. It also comes 340 years after the Kingdom of Siam first established contact with France, underscoring centuries of political, cultural and economic ties between the two countries.

Their Majesties arrived at Paris-Orly Airport on Sunday morning local time aboard a Thai Airways aircraft, where they were welcomed by French Interior Minister Laurent Nunez, senior French officials and Thailand's ambassador to France, Nikorndej Balankura.

Her Royal Highness Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana Rajakanya, who is based in Paris for part of the year and has longstanding links with France's fashion and cultural circles, boarded the royal aircraft upon its arrival to welcome Their Majesties and present floral bouquets.

Following an official reception that included a military honour guard, the King and Queen travelled to Le Meurice Paris, the official residence provided by the French government during the visit.

They were greeted by officials from the Royal Thai Embassy, representatives of Team Thailand agencies, members of the Thai community in Paris and hotel executives.

The state visit commemorates the 170th anniversary of formal diplomatic relations between Thailand and France, which were established in 1856 with the signing of the Treaty of Amity, Commerce and Navigation and the opening of the French Embassy in Bangkok, according to the Public Relations Department.

This week's visit follows two previous state visits by Thai monarchs. King Chulalongkorn, Rama V, travelled to France in 1897 as part of his landmark European tour, which helped modernise Siam's international relations and strengthen its position among the world's leading powers.

More than six decades later, His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej The Great and Her Majesty Queen Sirikit The Queen Mother paid a state visit to France in 1960, further cementing bilateral ties during a period of rapid post-war international cooperation.

The current visit is expected to highlight not only the historic friendship between the two countries but also opportunities for closer cooperation in areas such as culture, innovation, sustainable urban development, and the aerospace industry.

Beyond the ceremonial programme, the state visit reflects the continued evolution of Thai-French relations from their diplomatic origins in the 19th century to a modern partnership spanning trade, technology, education and culture.