French President Emmanuel Macron has welcomed King Maha Vajiralongkorn of Thailand to a state visit in Paris. The five-day itinerary includes a visit to the Airbus aircraft factory in Toulouse, where the King is expected to explore the acquisition of a new private jet, according to reports.
This marks the first official state visit by a Thai monarch to France in 66 years and the third in the 170-year history of their diplomatic relations. The occasion was reportedly upgraded to a full state visit at the last minute, with the appointment in Toulouse initially being the primary focus of the trip.
King Maha Vajiralongkorn, also known as Rama X, is a known aviation enthusiast and holds pilot licenses for both military and civilian aircraft. He is reported to possess one of the world's most extensive royal aircraft fleets, which includes 38 private jets and helicopters. The collection reportedly features a Boeing 777-300, valued at approximately £420 million.
A delegation of around 100 individuals arrived in Paris on Sunday morning and was met by a representative of President Macron. The royal party is staying at the Hotel Le Meurice. Formalities commenced on Monday with a reception at the Hôtel des Invalides, followed by official talks at the Élysée Palace with President Macron. The French President and his wife, Brigitte Macron, hosted a state dinner in honor of the royal guests on Monday evening.
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The King's second daughter, Princess Sirivannavari, is accompanying him on the visit. This trip occurs just two weeks after the death of the King's eldest daughter, Princess Bajrakitiyabha, who passed away on June 12 after three years in a coma. The Palace stated that she had experienced a severe irregular heartbeat, which led to her collapse in December 2022. Princess Bajrakitiyabha was a trained lawyer with postgraduate degrees from Cornell University and was considered a potential successor to the throne.
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