French PM praises Thai King, late Princess Galyani

BANGKOK, February 5 (TNA) - Visiting French Prime Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault has praised His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej and late Princess Galyani Vadhana, the Thai monarch's elder sister, for maintaining the vitality of the French language in Thailand, saying that the knowledge of the French language is useful in connecting Thai people with over 200 million French speaking people around the world. Speaking at Thammasat University on Tuesday morning, after arriving in Thailand on Monday night for his two-day official trip, the French Prime Minister highlighted past achievements of the Thai-Franco relations, which have stretched as far back as the 17th century and have ever-since played many important roles throughout the Thai history. The French Prime Minister also highlighted growing trade relations between Thailand and France, noting that over 300 business firms of both countries do business together. The French Prime Minister also expressed his support for Thailand's roles in the integration of the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), in which Thailand is a member country, in the form of the ASEAN Community or AC, by 2015, acknowledging that the forthcoming regional consolidation will be beneficial to ASEAN population as a whole, like those of the 27-member European Union or EU, in which France is a member. The French Prime Minister also called for a new form of linkages between Thailand and France through closer bilateral cooperation on trade and understanding, which should also strengthen relations between Europe and Southeast Asia. On the principle of a fair exchange, the visiting French Prime Minister acknowledged, ASEAN can play important roles in global affairs as well, as a trading partner of Europe. Accompanied by his entourage, including his wife, certain Cabinet members and leading business persons, the French Prime Minister's February 4-5 official visit to Thailand represents his second Asian tour after he took office in May 2012. (TNA)