On 9 September 2026, during the 61st Conference of Directors General of Civil Aviation, Asia and Pacific Regions (DGCA/61) in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Air Chief Marshal Manat Chavanaprayoon, Director General of the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT), together with the Thai delegation, met with the French Directorate General for Civil Aviation (Direction générale de l’aviation civile: DGAC), led by Mr. Paul Avrillier, Head of International Cooperation Directorate, DGAC, to further strengthen cooperation between the two authorities.
CAAT expressed its appreciation to the French DGAC for its continued assistance and support, particularly in preparing Thailand for assessments conducted by the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).
The cooperation has included mock audits, personnel training and capacity building, as well as legal advice and support for strengthening Thailand’s aviation safety oversight system. These contributions have played an important role in Thailand’s continued progress in meeting international aviation safety standards.
To commemorate the 10th anniversary of cooperation between CAAT and the French DGAC, CAAT plans to hold a celebration following the Steering Committee meeting on 22 October 2026 at the CAAT office. Executives, officials and stakeholders who have contributed to the partnership will be invited to reflect on its achievements and discuss future areas of cooperation.
CAAT also invited the French DGAC to participate in the Second ICAO Advanced Air Mobility Symposium, to be hosted by Thailand in Bangkok from 1 to 3 December 2026 under the theme “From Vision to Implementation: Enabling the AAM Ecosystem.” The Symposium will provide a platform for knowledge exchange and help advance AAM from vision to safe and practical implementation.
Thailand also presented its plan to establish a permanent aviation representation in Montréal, Canada, to strengthen its engagement and cooperation with ICAO. The initiative will enhance Thailand’s participation in ICAO’s policy and technical work and strengthen the country’s role in civil aviation at both the regional and global levels.
