Thai PM meets French tech groups to boost strategic investment

Narit Therdsteerasukdi, secretary general of the Thailand Board of Investment (BOI), said that on Monday (May 25, 2026), Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, together with Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas, Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow, Commerce Minister Suphajee Suthumpun, and a BOI delegation, met senior executives from five leading French companies at Le Cercle de l’Union Interalliée in Paris, France.

The talks aimed to promote investment cooperation in strategic industries amid a major restructuring of global supply chains.

France is regarded as one of Europe’s leaders in advanced technology, including aviation, smart electronics, advanced materials used in battery production and digital identity verification systems.

The talks were therefore an important opportunity for Thailand to attract investment, technology, expertise and future-industry networks to build on the country’s production base.

The prime minister and his team held discussions with five leading French companies as follows.

Airbus: backing Thailand as a centre for digital aviation and modern aviation talent

Airbus SE is Europe’s largest manufacturer of aircraft and defence systems.

It has operated in Thailand for more than 40 years across commercial aircraft, helicopters, security aircraft, space technology, satellite systems, aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO), and cooperation on developing sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) production.

The company has recently expanded its business in Thailand to use the country as a base supporting the development of aviation systems through digital technology and modern aviation technology, such as virtual reality and augmented reality, as well as technical and engineering support and personnel development.

Thailand will be a key operational centre for the company outside France, with more than 160 specialist engineers and plans to increase the number to more than 200.

EssilorLuxottica: investing in AI glasses

EssilorLuxottica, the world’s leading ophthalmic lenses and eyewear group and owner of brands including Ray-Ban, Oakley and Varilux, has operated in Thailand for nearly 40 years.

It employs more than 9,000 people in the country and has accumulated an investment of more than THB16 billion in BOI-promoted projects.

The company has recently decided to expand investment in the production of smart eyewear, or AI Glasses, in Thailand.

The move will integrate smart electronics into high-end eyewear, enabling wearers to record images and sound, listen to music, or connect with an AI assistant to translate languages or check locations and objects seen through voice commands via the glasses.

The product is regarded as an important step in the smart eyewear, or AI Glasses, market, which is growing rapidly worldwide.

Imerys: completing the EV battery supply chain with advanced materials

Imerys S.A., a global leader in advanced materials, produces graphite and conductive carbon black, advanced materials that are key components in producing electrodes for lithium batteries used in electric vehicles (EVs) and high-performance energy storage systems that support fast charging.

The company ranks first globally, with a global market share of more than 50%.

During the talks, the prime minister invited the company to consider investing in Thailand because the country is the region’s largest EV production base and offers a good opportunity for the company to expand investment in conductive carbon black.

This would help strengthen and complete Thailand’s battery supply chain.

He also said Thailand has advantages in location and an EV industrial ecosystem ready to support advanced-materials producers.

Thales: strengthening digital security and cyber infrastructure

Thales Group, a global leader in defence, space, digital security and cybersecurity technologies, provides services covering cybersecurity systems, defence systems and e-passport development.

During the talks, Thales presented a proposed cooperation to develop cybersecurity infrastructure between the company and the Thai government.

IN Groupe: opening a route for government Digital ID cooperation

IN Groupe, France’s leader in digital identity verification systems, has expertise in passports, digital ID cards, driving licences and Digital ID systems for government.

IN Groupe presented proposed cooperation with Thailand to develop a new-generation Digital ID system for the government, including biometrics and digital identity verification systems.

The systems would help strengthen Thailand’s potential as a production base and testing centre for Secure ID systems for CLMV countries and Asean.

“These talks clearly show that leading French technology companies do not see Thailand merely as a production base, but as a strategic partner in building the region’s new supply chains in EVs, aviation, digital and security technologies. The government is ready to fully support investment so that Thailand becomes Asean’s centre for advanced industries and high technology,” Narit said.

Investment from France in Thailand has continued to grow.

From 2021 to 2026 (January–March 2026), French projects submitted applications for investment promotion covering 93 projects, with a combined investment value of THB29.208 billion.

Major French companies that have already invested in Thailand include EssilorLuxottica, Airbus, Safran, Michelin, TotalEnergies, Valeo, Faurecia and Saint-Gobain, reflecting strong Thai–French economic relations and opportunities to expand cooperation into future strategic industries.