Riots in France trigger a security warning from PM Anutin, who orders police chief Samran Nuanma to prepare for similar unrest. With 3,000 shops reportedly hit, French troops deploy and curfews begin. Thai travellers are urged to take care in France.
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has ordered Thailand’s police chief to prepare for possible unrest as France reels from violent riots, arson and widespread looting. With at least 3,000 shops reportedly damaged or ransacked, French forces have imposed curfews and deployed troops ahead of fresh protests on Saturday. Anutin personally telephoned Police General Samran Nuanma, demanding vigilance despite insisting Thailand faces no comparable internal conflict. Meanwhile, Thailand’s National Security Council has assembled military and intelligence chiefs for security talks. Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow has also warned Thais travelling to France to exercise extreme caution.
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has ordered Thailand’s national police chief to prepare for possible unrest following violent riots across France. The Prime Minister personally telephoned Police General Samran Nuanma after reports of widespread looting, arson and serious public disorder.
At least 3,000 shops across France have reportedly been damaged or looted. Meanwhile, French security forces are preparing for further demonstrations on Saturday, 24 October. Anutin insisted Thailand faced no comparable internal conflicts. Nevertheless, he demanded police vigilance and contingency planning to prevent similar violence in Thailand.
Speaking at Government House on Thursday, 22 October, Anutin confirmed he had immediately contacted the National Police Commissioner. His intervention followed reports of serious disturbances across France, where student protests had developed into widespread rioting.
Anutin orders national police chief to study French riots while insisting Thailand faces no similar unrest
Furthermore, the Prime Minister instructed Police General Samran to monitor developments and study the French security response. He also ordered preparations to prevent comparable disturbances from occurring in Thailand.
Anutin, who also serves as Interior Minister, maintained that Thailand’s domestic circumstances differed considerably from those in France. He cited differences in social conditions, cultural traditions and the nature of internal conflicts.
According to the Prime Minister, Thailand did not suffer from the same domestic divisions contributing to the French disturbances. Indeed, he described Thai society as peaceful and united. However, he insisted that these differences did not relieve police of their responsibilities for national security and public order.
As National Police Commissioner, Police General Samran is responsible for maintaining public order and protecting domestic security. Consequently, Anutin said police must examine the French disturbances and prepare for potential threats.
French student protests over living costs turn violent as thousands of shops are damaged or looted
The Prime Minister stressed the importance of studying serious developments overseas, despite Thailand’s different circumstances. Notably, he did not identify any specific domestic threat linked to the French protests.
The French disturbances began with student demonstrations over rising living costs and demands for education reform. However, protests during the previous weekend escalated into serious violence, accompanied by widespread looting, arson and property damage.
According to reports circulated in Thailand, at least 3,000 shops nationwide had been damaged or looted. Commercial premises were among the principal targets as disorder spread through urban centres. In response, French officials introduced additional security measures to restore public order.
The French government imposed curfews in several districts of Paris and other major cities. Separately, restrictions on public gatherings were introduced at sensitive locations, including areas surrounding the Élysée Palace.
The presidential residence was among the sites covered by the security arrangements. Similarly, restrictions were imposed around Place de la Bastille, a prominent public square in Paris. In addition, military personnel were deployed to assist police in maintaining security and preventing further disturbances.
France prepares for fresh protests on 24 October as Anutin orders Thai police to remain on high alert
French officials are now preparing for another wave of demonstrations scheduled for Saturday, 24 October. Accordingly, security preparations have intensified following the violence and property damage reported during the previous weekend.
The measures include localised curfews, restrictions on gatherings and additional deployments to protect important locations. Police and military personnel are preparing to maintain public order during the planned protests.
Back in Bangkok, Anutin’s intervention placed the Royal Thai Police on notice to monitor developments in France. The Prime Minister said he telephoned Police General Samran immediately after learning of the disturbances.
His instructions specifically concerned studying the violence and preventing comparable incidents in Thailand. Even so, Anutin rejected comparisons between the internal circumstances of the two countries. Instead, he cited Thailand’s different cultural and social makeup when explaining his assessment.
In particular, the Prime Minister maintained that Thailand was not experiencing the internal conflicts evident in France. He described the Thai population as living peacefully and in unity. Nonetheless, he stressed that police could not disregard serious developments overseas.
National Security Council gathers military and intelligence chiefs to coordinate Thailand’s security
Their responsibilities included studying possible security threats and preparing appropriate responses. As a result, Police General Samran was instructed to examine the situation and ensure preventive measures could be implemented if necessary.
On another front, Thailand’s National Security Council convened a high-level meeting involving senior military commanders, intelligence agencies and administrative officials. The meeting took place earlier on Thursday under National Security Council Secretary-General General Chaiyapruek Duangprapat.
According to Anutin, the discussions sought to establish a common understanding among agencies responsible for national security. Moreover, participants worked towards developing a coordinated strategy for addressing potential security challenges.
The meeting brought together representatives responsible for military security, intelligence gathering and domestic administration. As part of this, officials sought to align their understanding of security responsibilities and planning requirements.
Anutin referred to the discussions while explaining the government’s approach to maintaining national security. However, the supplied account did not identify any new emergency measures resulting from the meeting.
Foreign Minister Sihasak warns Thai travellers to avoid violent demonstrations in France and Europe
At the same time, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow issued a warning concerning the security situation in Europe. Sihasak urged Thai citizens to exercise caution when travelling abroad, particularly to France.
He also advised travellers to avoid areas affected by violent demonstrations. The warning followed reports of serious rioting, extensive looting and arson during protests over living costs and education reform.
The Foreign Ministry’s warning addressed the immediate risks facing Thai citizens visiting affected areas. By contrast, Anutin’s instructions to Police General Samran concerned preventive security preparations within Thailand. Both responses followed reports of escalating violence in France. Furthermore, the planned demonstrations on 24 October have added urgency to the security situation facing travellers.
The unrest has prompted action across several branches of Thailand’s security and diplomatic services. The Royal Thai Police have received direct instructions from the Prime Minister to monitor events and prepare preventive measures.
In parallel, the National Security Council has brought military commanders, intelligence representatives and administrative officials together for coordinated discussions. Separately, the Foreign Ministry has warned Thai nationals about travelling to areas affected by the disturbances.
Anutin rules out immediate threat in Thailand but orders police readiness as French unrest continues
Crucially, Anutin did not announce any new restrictions on public gatherings in Thailand. Nor did he identify any immediate threat of similar violence occurring domestically.
Instead, his instructions focused on monitoring overseas developments, studying the disturbances and preparing contingency measures. The Prime Minister maintained that Thailand’s different social conditions and internal circumstances made the French situation distinct.
Despite these assurances, the seriousness of the French disturbances prompted direct intervention by Thailand’s Prime Minister. Reports of thousands of damaged commercial premises, curfews and additional security deployments formed the backdrop to his instructions.
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With further demonstrations scheduled for Saturday, French security officials are preparing for renewed pressure on public order. Meanwhile, Thai police have been told to study developments and remain vigilant.
Anutin’s comments on Thursday combined assurances about Thailand’s domestic stability with specific instructions for police preparations. He maintained that Thailand faced no comparable internal conflict and described the country as peaceful and united.
Nevertheless, he insisted that the National Police Commissioner must remain prepared for possible disturbances. Police General Samran was therefore instructed to monitor the French unrest, study the security response and prepare preventive measures.
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