On the occasion of the Colonial Exposition in Marseille in 1922 Thibon became commandeur of the Légion d’honneur.

For instance, the prefect’s wife Marie-Andrée Thibon née Blanc created an association for the refugees coming from Smyrna (at the time of the Great Fire of Smyrna) and originating from French Mandate for Syria and the Lebanon.

[8][9] But 10,885 Armenian refugees reached in Marseille from August to December 1923 (4,700 during October 1923 only).

[10][11] Also in 1923, Thibon lamented about Armenian refugees in Marseille, the “continual arrival of these orientals”.

[12] Chevalier (Knight) (30 January 1913), officier (Officer) (21 April 1919), commandeur (Commander) (12 August 1923)[13] of Légion d’honneur.