Charles Antoine François Thomson

Charles Antoine François Thomson (25 September 1845 – 8 July 1898) was a French civil servant who was sub-prefect and then prefect of various departments of metropolitan France.

[7] Discussions in July 1883 led to an agreement in September 1883 that starting in 1884 the French administration would collect the taxes on sale of opium and liquor to cover their costs.

The French also expected that Norodom would allow police posts to be established throughout Cambodia and would give Thomson a draft constitution that would consolidate the reforms that had been agreed.

At the same time Thomson was in private negotiations with Norodom's half-brother Sisowath, whom he called, "this prince, who is absolutely devoted to our policy, [who] has long ago adopted our general views leading to the modification of the protectorate.

"[7] Norodom was eventually forced to sign the Convention of Phnom Penh on 17 June 1884 to avoid the French installing Sisowath in his place as their puppet.

[7] On 21 July 1885 Thompson was instructed to return to France by the next boat to report on the situation, handing over to General Charles Auguste Frédéric Bégin as Acting Governor.

The Queen Mother, for whom he professes deep respect and filial piety, would not have not forgiven him for accepting without struggle the humiliation we imposed ... even if we admit the implicit guilt of the King, we cannot now think of deposing him.