Despite the contempt shown for the Thais in this broadside, approximately eighteen months later, with the outbreak of war in Europe imminent, the government in Paris began seeking a non-aggression pact with Thailand in order to maintain the regional status quo. Initially their overtures were ignored, but in the latter part of 1939, as the international situation grew increasingly unpredictable, the Thai Government, keen to project its neutralist stance as well as to allay French fears, decided to give serious consideration to the idea.
A period of intense diplomatic negotiation followed, leading to the signing of non-aggression pact between the two countries in Bangkok on 12 June 1940. Ratification of the pact was not immediate, however, as this was dependent on the French making a minor readjustment to the Mekong River frontier, which had been called for by the Thais since 1936. The setting up of a joint Franco-Thai committee to resolve the border issue was projected, but before any progress could be made France fell to Germany and the collaborationist Vichy regime was established towards the end of June. The changed situation set the stage for a sharp deterioration in Thai-French relations.