Thai PM Rules Out Colonial-Era Map After Seeking Answers in France

Thai PM Rules Out Colonial-Era Map After Seeking Answers in France

BANGKOK, May 29, 2026 — Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has dismissed the relevance of the colonial-era map long cited by Cambodia in support of its border claims, a notable shift from earlier remarks in which he said he would seek clarification from French authorities regarding historical border documents during a visit to France.

Speaking after returning from meetings with French President Emmanuel Macron and UNESCO officials in Paris, Anutin said the map scale used by Cambodia “no longer exists” for the Thai government. His comments have prompted questions about whether discussions in France influenced Bangkok’s position on historical border records linked to the Cambodia-Thailand dispute.

While no official statement from France has suggested that the Annex I Map or the 1:200,000 map should be disregarded, Anutin’s latest remarks appear to contrast with his earlier indication that historical French archives could help clarify aspects of the border issue. The apparent change in tone is likely to draw attention from observers of the long-running dispute, particularly as both countries continue to pursue diplomatic mechanisms to address outstanding border concerns.

This angle raises the legitimate question of why Anutin’s position changed after the France trip, without asserting something that has not been demonstrated by evidence.