On 8 October 2024, H.E. Mr. Maris Sangiampongsa, Minister of Foreign Affairs, accompanied H.E. Ms. Paetongtarn Shinawatra, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Thailand, for an Official Visit to the Lao People’s Democratic Republic (Lao PDR) at the invitation of H.E. Mr. Sonexay Siphandone, Prime Minister of the Lao PDR.

          This is Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra’s first overseas official visit, underscoring the special ties between Thailand and the Lao PDR as close neighbours and Strategic Partners for Growth and Sustainable Development.  

          During the visit, the Thai Prime Minister held bilateral discussion with the Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone, paid a courtesy call on H.E. Mr. Thongloun Sisoulith, President of the Lao PDR and General Secretary of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party, and also met with H.E. Mr. Xaysomphone Phomvihane, President of the National Assembly of the Lao PDR.

          In these meetings, both sides reaffirmed their commitment to elevating their bilateral relations and partnership to new heights. They agreed to maintain regular high-level exchanges and consultations at all levels and enhance cooperation in key areas, including transboundary issues, economic and transportation connectivity, tourism, and people-to-people exchanges.

Strengthening cooperation on transboundary issues

          Both leaders pledged to intensify collaboration on addressing transboundary challenges that impact their peoples and the region, particularly illicit drugs, online scams, human trafficking, and haze pollution. They agreed to forge closer cooperation on management of water resources in the Mekong River, with a focus on developing joint early warning systems and flood forecasting mechanisms, while fully utilising Mekong sub-regional frameworks, especially ACMECS, to mobilise resources and expertise for flood and drought prevention and mitigation.

Economic and transportation connectivity

          On economic cooperation, both sides recognised the importance of deepening trade and investment ties, particularly in border areas, to support sustainable economic growth. They agreed to accelerate ongoing connectivity projects to bolster trade and investment along their shared borders. Key projects include completing the construction the 5^th Thai–Lao Friendship Bridge (Bueng Kan – Bolikhamxai) by next year and expediting the upgrade of National Road No. 12 (R12) from Thai-Lao border to the Lao-Viet Nam border early next year.

          Looking ahead, the two leaders discussed future initiatives to enhance seamless connectivity, such as the possibility of extending the railway from Vientiane (Khamsavath) Station to Vientiane Station to connect the Thai-Lao railway with the Laos-China railway; constructing the 6^th Thai–Lao Friendship Bridge (Ubon Ratchathani-Salavan); and building a new railway bridge over the Mekong River at the Nong Khai-Vientiane border crossing. 

          The Thai side expressed appreciation for the Lao side’s cooperation in standardising the handling fees for transshipment of cargo onto the Laos-China railway at Thanaleng Dry Port, as well as for facilitating the transit of agricultural produce from Thailand to China at border checkpoints during the fruit season.

Tourism and People-to-People Exchanges

          Both leaders expressed satisfaction with the robust tourism between the two countries, noting that Thai tourists are the largest group of foreign visitors to the Lao PDR, while Lao tourists ranked among the top six foreign visitors to Thailand last year. They agreed to further promote tourism through initiatives like the “Six Countries, One Destination” scheme.

          They were pleased with the positive impact of ongoing development cooperation, particularly through Royal Initiative Projects in the Lao PDR, which have significantly improved the livelihoods of the local population.

          Both leaders looked forward to activities that will foster closer people-to-people ties as the two countries will celebrate the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations next year.

         The two leaders took the opportunity to exchange views on regional issues. The Thai Prime Minister commended the Lao PDR’s successful ASEAN Chairmanship this year and pledged Thailand’s continued full support. Both sides underscored the importance of working together to strengthen ASEAN unity and centrality towards maintaining peace, stability and development in the region.

The two leaders witnessed the signing of the following documents :

1. Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in Integrated Water Resources Management between the Office of the National Water Resources of the Kingdom of Thailand and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment of the Lao PDR.
2. Memorandum of Understanding on the Establishment of Friendship Cities between Khon Kaen Province, the Kingdom of Thailand, and Vientiane Capital, the Lao PDR.
3. Memorandum of Understanding on Technical Assistance on Weights and Measures between the Department of Internal Trade, Ministry of Commerce, the Kingdom of Thailand, and the Department of Standardisation and Metrology, Ministry of Industry and Commerce, the Lao PDR.
4. Letter of Intent on Strengthening the 1^st Thai - Lao Friendship Bridge between the Department of Highways, Ministry of Transport of the Kingdom of Thailand, and the Department of Roads, Ministry of Public Works and Transport of Lao PDR.
5. Technical Arrangement on Rail Freight Transportation between the State Railway of Thailand and the Lao National Railway State Enterprise.
6. Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in Human Resource Management between the Office of the Civil Service Commission of the Kingdom of Thailand and the Ministry of Home Affairs of the Lao PDR.

The Thai Prime Minister also presented the Detailed Design for the Construction of the Chiangman-Luang Prabang Bridge Project, funded by Thailand’s Neighbouring Countries Economic Development Cooperation Agency (NEDA), to the Prime Minister of the Lao PDR.