French companies have expressed interest in investing in Thailand, especially in such future industries as space and aviation, and clean energy, according to Government Spokesperson Rachada Dhnadirek.

Ms. Rachada referred to a discussion on 24 May 2026 in Paris between Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Anutin Charnvirakul and Mr. Pierre Jaffre, President of Thai-European Business Association, together with senior executives of four French companies, namely Rotortrade, Satys, Verventia, and Virya Energy.

She said that Rotortrade was interested in launching its services in Thailand, including establishing a helicopter maintenance center, in order to serve international customers by positioning Thailand as a regional Maintenance, Repair, and Operations (MRO) hub for the Asia‑Pacific. At present, the company operates major maintenance centers in France and the United States.

Satys, a global provider of aircraft painting and surface treatment services, expressed interest in expanding its aircraft painting operations in Thailand, which would enable comprehensive one-stop processes and enhance the country’s aircraft maintenance capacity.

Verventia acknowledged potential and the opportunities for foreign private sector investment in Thailand as a regional hub, whereas Virya Energy, a clean energy producer, expressed interest in further expanding investment in the country. The company is already operating in Thailand under the name Constant Energy, which focuses on solar power generation, with the accumulated investment of two billion baht.

Previously, on 23 May, also in Paris, Prime Minister Anutin met with executives from three Thai private companies investing in France, namely 1) Mr. Erwan Wilfer, President of Ambient Branded under Thai Union Europe Company, 2) Mr. Hermes Panayotopoulos, Head of Sustainability Policy Promotion and Implementation for Europe, the Middle East, and Africa at Indorama Ventures Company, and 3) Mr. Supasit Sukanint, Chief Executive Officer of Mud and Hound Company. 

Ms. Rachada stated that the Thai private enterprises offered the following recommendations:

1. Accelerating finalization of the Thailand–EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA), which would reduce the tariff rate imposed by the European Union on Thai products from 24% to 0%. This would significantly enhance opportunities for Thai products to expand in the European market, benefiting Thai exporters across all product categories;

2. Promoting Thai brand franchises in the European market through the Export–Import Bank of Thailand (EXIM Bank), particularly in the restaurant business. Thai cuisine is widely popular internationally, but many Thai restaurants abroad are operated by non-Thai nationals who lack authentic culinary skills, resulting in distorted flavors. The private sector, therefore, proposed measures to support Thai nationals in France and other European countries to establish Thai restaurants. This would not only promote the import of Thai ingredients but also preserve Thailand’s culinary identity.

Ms. Rachada also said that the Prime Minister expressed keen interest in these proposals and would urged the EXIM Bank to invite Thai private sector franchise owners to discuss with the Bank about appropriate promotional measures.