Thailand to send observers to Francophonie Summit in Cambodia

BANGKOK – Thailand will send observers to the 20th Francophonie Summit in Phnom Penh, where French President Emmanuel Macron and other world leaders are expected to gather from 14 to 16 November.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow said on Tuesday (10 November) that Thailand would participate as an observer at the summit, hosted by Cambodia under the framework of the International Organisation of La Francophonie (OIF).

Speaking at Government House, Sihasak said the summit was intended to address matters concerning the Francophonie community and should not become a platform for discussing the Thai-Cambodian dispute.

He said Cambodia should refrain from bringing bilateral tensions into the discussions, as the dispute falls outside the scope of the summit.

Cambodia is scheduled to host the 20th Francophonie Summit in Phnom Penh from 14 to 16 November, with leaders from several member countries expected to attend, including French President Emmanuel Macron, who is also scheduled to make an official visit to Cambodia.

The OIF is an international organisation bringing together countries and governments with ties to the French language and Francophone culture.

Thailand joined the organisation as an observer in 2008, despite French not being a primary foreign language in the country.

According to OIF statistics from 2010, Thailand had approximately 562,000 French speakers, compared with 623,000 in Vietnam, 406,400 in Cambodia and 173,800 in Laos.