France
- Thailand News
Thailand and France boost defence ties with 200 billion baht deal
Thai and French officials convened a special seminar to enhance the defence industries of both nations, with Thailand aiming to procure defence products valued at 200 billion baht over the next two decades. Defence Minister Sutin Klungsang and the French Ambassador to Thailand Jean-Claude Poimboeuf opened the Thailand-France Seminar on the Defence Industry 2024 at the Office of the Permanent…
- Business News
France loses top spot as Europe’s largest equity market to UK
France’s political turbulence has resulted in the nation losing its position as Europe’s largest equity market, a title it claimed from the UK less than two years ago. President Emmanuel Macron’s unexpected announcement of a snap election triggered a significant sell-off, erasing about US$258 billion from the market capitalisation of French companies. Major banks such as Societe Generale SA, BNP…
- Visa Information
Get Your Schengen Visa for France with VisaThailand.com
With the Paris Olympics 2024 approaching, there are even more reasons to plan your visit! However, before you can enjoy the wonders that France has to offer, it is essential to obtain a Schengen visa for your thai friend. At VisaThailand.com (Visa agency based in Bangkok), we are committed to simplify this process by providing you with personalized assistance and…
- Thailand News
PM Srettha’s diplomatic marathon: France, Italy, and Japan await
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin is set for a whirlwind diplomatic tour, spanning France, Italy, and Japan, to bolster international ties and attract investment to Thailand. Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin’s diplomatic agenda is packed to the brim as he gears up for his second official voyage to France on May 15 to 16, followed by visits to Italy and Japan from…
- Thailand News
Thailand and France forge future partnerships
Thailand Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin and France President Emmanuel Macron united in Paris, pledging to fortify relations spanning diverse domains and to invigorate a symbiotic alliance between their nations. During a joint press conference, Macron accentuated the importance of economic collaboration and trade synergies, emphasising proactive preparation for forthcoming challenges in Southeast Asia. He articulated the pivotal role of robust bilateral…
- Thailand News
PM Srettha strikes deals in Parisian power play
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin made waves in Paris as he orchestrated a series of high-stakes meetings with France’s business elite. From fashion to automotive technology, the 62 year old Thai PM’s mission was clear: to solidify Thailand’s status as a regional powerhouse for trade and innovation. Kicking off his jam-packed schedule yesterday morning, PM Srettha delved into talks with Sébastien…
- World News
French farmers turn the tables: Campaign leaves road signs topsy-turvy
French farmers are making headlines with a unique protest that has left the countryside in disarray. Road signs are now upside-down, thanks to a campaign aimed at drawing attention to the turmoil farmers claim is threatening their very way of life. In rural France, motorists are doing double-takes as they encounter a surreal landscape – town and village entrance signs…
- Thailand News
Thai restaurant owner loses 600,000 baht during family trip to France
A 30 year old restaurant owner from Nonthaburi suffered a loss of over 600,000 baht during his recent family trip to France. He has shared his harrowing experience to alert others and prevent them from becoming victims. Thalerngsak Khongkwanmuang revealed yesterday, December 12, his ordeal which occurred between November 7 and 21 during his holiday in France with his 48 year…
- World News
Bizarre wall reveals decomposing body in Parisian suburb flat as owner returns from vacation
A chilling discovery was made recently in an apartment in Livry-Gargan, a northeastern suburb of Paris, France. A 1.5-metre long, 40-centimetre wide, and 1-metre high wall mysteriously erected in the middle of the kitchen revealed a decomposed body wrapped in heavily sealed plastic, hidden within its confines. The apartment owner was returning from a six-month holiday in Algeria when she encountered…
- World News
French woman faces charges after disfiguring husband’s genitalia in drunken row over infidelity
In an alcohol-fuelled bout of domestic violence, a French woman savagely disfigured her 45 year old husband’s genitalia during a heated argument. The altercation took place near the French city of Toulouse, in the southwestern village of Portet-sur-Garonne. The altercation was over allegations of infidelity at a party the previous night. The 36 year old wife and her husband were…
- World News
English climber dies in 50-metre fall from Mont Blanc’s peak: Safety concerns raised
An English mountaineer in his 50s tragically plummeted nearly 50 metres to his death from the highest peak in the French Alps, Mont Blanc. The incident occurred near a spot known as Nid d’Aigle (Eagle’s Nest), close to the Bionnassay glacier, on Sunday. Police in the Chamonix region confirmed the event. Emergency services stated that the climber died instantly, The Sun reported.…
- Business News
French firms eye big ticket investment in Thailand’s EEC
In a bid to fortify its economy, the Thai government is extending an invitation to French corporations to make significant investments in the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC). Identified as an ideal zone for the development of a high-tech industrial park, the EEC comprises sections of Chachoengsao, Chon Buri, and Rayong. The authorities have identified aviation alongside 11 other S-curve industries…
- World News
French mayor seeks drone use amid post-riot cleanup
In Neuilly-sur-Marne, a poverty-stricken region east of Paris, the mayor, Zartoshte Bakhtiari, revealed just how challenging the violent riots have been in France over the past week. Since the outbreak of clashes, he has barely managed to catch three hours of sleep each night. His days are consumed by his mayoral responsibilities while his nights are filled with patrol duties,…
- World News
Parisian plea: A grandmother’s heartfelt cry amid suburb’s turmoil (video)
Amid heart-wrenching tragedy, a grieving grandmother’s heartfelt plea for an end to violence echoes across a Parisian suburb engulfed in turmoil. Following the fatal shooting of 17 year old Nahel Merzouk by a police officer, protests have spiralled into a sixth night of rioting. As tensions escalate, French authorities brace for the eruption of another wave of unrest Merzouk’s grandmother…
- World News
Chaos unleashed: France rattled by riots after fatal police shooting rocks major cities (video)
Chaos continues to grip France as violent riots erupt across the nation’s major cities, fuelled by outrage over the fatal police shooting of a teenager of Algerian and Moroccan descent during a routine traffic stop. The nation faces a wave of unrest, with arrests surging and curfews imposed in response to intelligence warnings of widespread urban violence in the coming…
- World News
France bans short-haul flights with train alternatives to cut emissions
In an effort to reduce carbon emissions, France has implemented a ban on domestic short-haul flights where train alternatives are available. The legislation comes into effect two years after it was initially approved by lawmakers, targeting routes where train journeys can be completed in under two-and-a-half hours. This restriction essentially eliminates air travel between Paris and cities such as Nantes,…
- World News
Pro-independence forces triumph in French Polynesia elections
Pro-independence parties have claimed victory in the recent elections on France’s Pacific territory of French Polynesia. According to results released, the Tavini Huiraatira party, led by the region’s former head, Oscar Temaru, won 44.3% of the votes in the second round, securing an absolute majority in the regional assembly. The party is now expected to nominate 53 year old Moetai…
- World News
French finance minister’s erotic novel raises eyebrows amidst economic turmoil
A recent novel by France’s Finance and Economy Minister, Bruno Le Maire, 54 years old, has caused quite a stir and left the government facing questions about how he finds the time to write amidst the nation’s current economic challenges. “American Fugue” is the 13th book penned by Le Maire, who has been at the forefront of defending President Emmanuel…
- Thailand Protest News
Appeal of Petr Donatek heard in Paris
The appeal of Petr Donatek, a 46-year-old Czech man accused of hiring thugs to attack Thai refugees in Paris, has finally opened and closed. In his testimony, Donatek pleaded that he did not plan the attack. He was convicted in absentia for having hired two Czechs – Jakub Hosek and Daniel Vokal – to attack Thai trans activist Aum Neko…
- Crime News
French ‘mafia’ boss extorts money from foreigners in Pattaya, claims ties with Big Joke
Police arrested a wanted French ‘mafia’ boss in Bangkok on Tuesday after a group of farangs in Pattaya, eastern Thailand, claimed he extorted money from them in exchange for police protection. The fraudster claimed to have ties with “Big Joke.” Yesterday, high-profile police officer Pol. Lt. Gen. Surachate “Big Joke” Hakparn revealed that police arrested 58 year old Herve Christian…
- World News
Czech man behind trans Thai refugee attack avoids Paris trial
The Czech man behind an attack on a Thai trans activist has had his appeal delayed again. A Paris court postponed the appeal trial of Petr Donatek, a Czech man who allegedly hired two thugs to beat up trans activist Aum Neko and musician Nithiwat Wannasiri in France. According to Prachatai, Aum Neko is a political refugee in France, well…
- Hot News
French MP causes uproar in parliament after shouting racial slur at colleague
A rightwing French MP caused an uproar in the country’s parliament after shouting a racial slur at a lawmaker. The representative, Grégoire de Fournas, interrupted Carlos Martens Bilongo, a far-left representative for the party France Unbowed, shouting “Go back to Africa.” Bilongo was reportedly calling on the French government to cooperate with EU countries to assist hundreds of African migrants…
- Politics News
Irish MEP slams EU & West hypocrisy over Russia
An Irish MEP yesterday let rip at fellow members of the European Union and the West over their hypocrisy regarding the conflict between Russia and Ukraine. Mick Wallace, in a passionate speech inside the European Parliament building in Brussels, highlighted the double standards of the EU, the West and its allies with its attitude toward Russian terrorism and the terrorism…
- Thailand News
French President Macron accepts invitation to APEC meeting in Thailand
President of France Emmanuel Macron sent a letter to Prime Minister of Thailand Prayut Chan-o-cha on Monday confirming his attendance at the upcoming Asia Pacific Cooperation (APEC) summit in Bangkok next month from November 18-19. A spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Thanee Saengrat confirmed Macron’s attendance this morning. In the letter, Macron said he was looking forward to…
- World News
Thousands evacuated as wildfires blaze across Europe
Thousands of Europeans from several countries have been evacuated as wildfires are burning down homes. The fires spread through Portugal, Spain, France, and Croatia earlier this week. Now, helicopters are being deployed to help put out the fires. About 10,000 people were evacuated from campsites around the town of Landiras in southwestern France. Fires have now burnt about 5,300 hectares…
- Economy News
Thailand-France business investment discussed in PM meeting
PM Prayut Chan-o-cha recently met with MEDEF International, the largest employer federation in France, to discuss future partnerships with Thailand. Francois Corbin, the Vice President of the Movement of the Enterprises of France, along with other delegates, met with the Thai prime minister on Friday to look at the future of Thai-French business partnerships. French firms are examining the post-pandemic…
- World News
Climate change activist smears cream on Mona Lisa painting at Louvre
A visitor to the Louvre Museum in Paris has attacked the world-famous Mona Lisa painting, having disguised himself as an elderly lady in a wheelchair. The man, believed to be a climate change activist, jumped out of the wheelchair and tried to smash the glass protecting the painting, according to a Reuters report. The painting was reportedly undamaged, but the…
- Road deaths
UPDATE: French woman dies riding bicycle in central Thailand
UPDATE: The Toyota sedan’s dashcam footage confirmed that the traffic lights were on green when the driver struck and killed 26 year old Camille, who was riding a bicycle across a zebra crossing in Ayutthaya in central Thailand yesterday evening. The driver tried to break and swerve out of the way but couldn’t stop in time. Police arrested the driver…
- World News
G7 countries commit to phasing out imports of Russian oil
In a virtual meeting yesterday, the Group of Seven nations gave an undertaking to phase out imports of Russian oil. It’s the latest move aimed at punishing Vladimir Putin for his invasion of Ukraine, with the US also unveiling sanctions against executives at Gazprombank and a number of other businesses. According to a Reuters report, the Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelenskiy,…
- World News
France’s Macron defeats Le Pen to secure second presidential term
France’s incumbent president Emmanuel Macron soundly defeated the far-right opposition candidate Marine Le Pen on Sunday, securing a second term with a majority of votes. Macron won 58.6% of the vote to LePen’s 41.4%. The margin is closer than their last face-off in 2017, when Macron won by more than 30 percentage points. This time the margin was significantly reduced,…
