In the wake of the devastating flood due to the continuous heavy rain across the southern provinces of Lao PDR, massive floods have hit Champasak and Attapeu Provinces since 23 July 2018, causing loss of lives, property and casualties, the Royal Thai Government, as a close friend and immediate neighbour of Lao PDR, wishes to express her most sincere condolences. On 24 July 2018, H.E. General Prayut Chan-o-cha, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Thailand, conveyed a message of condolence to H.E. Mr. Thongloun Sisoulith, Prime Minister of Lao PDR. At the same time, H.E. Mr. Don Pramudwinai, Foreign Minister of Thailand, has also conveyed a message of condolence to H.E. Mr. Saleumxay Kommasith, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Lao PDR, expressing heartfelt condolences to the Government, the people of Lao PDR, and those affected by the said floods as well as affirming Thailand’s readiness and full support in providing relief assistance to Lao PDR at the earliest opportunity.

          On 25 July 2018, the Prime Minister of Thailand donated as an initial assistance to the relief efforts an amount of 5 million baht, approximately 1.3 billion kip, to H.E. Mr. Seng Soukhathivong, Ambassador of Lao PDR to Thailand at Government House, and a token of empathy and utmost support from Thailand to the Government and the people of Lao PDR.

          Additionally, H.E. Mr. Kiattikun Chartprasert, Ambassador of Thailand to Lao PDR, also presented a donation of 1.2 million baht on behalf of the Royal Thai Embassy in Vientiane, Thai companies and the Thai people living in Lao PDR, as emergency relief assistance to the representative of the Government of the Lao PDR. Mr. Worawut Pongprapapun, Consul-General of Thailand in Savannakhet Province, handed over emergency relief kits worth 100,000 baht to Attapeu Province, on behalf of the Royal Thai Consulate-General in Savannakhet, Thai companies, and Thai community in southern provinces of Lao PDR. 

          The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Defense, Ministry of Public Health, Thai Red Cross, and other concerned agencies in Thailand are also preparing further relief assistance to be dispatched to those affected in Lao PDR at the earliest opportunity.