On 3 - 4 November 2021, H.E. Mr. Don Pramudwinai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Thailand, and H.E. Mr. Saleumxay Kommasith, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic (Lao PDR), co-chaired the 22nd Joint Commission on Bilateral Cooperation between Thailand and Lao PDR in Bangkok.

Under the theme “Towards a Resilient and Sustainable Recovery Together”, Thailand and the Lao PDR discussed ways to strengthen bilateral cooperation and reinvigorate their economies. Both sides expressed their determination to forge even closer cooperation at both bilateral and multilateral levels to achieve the “Strategic Partnership for Growth and Sustainable Development” between Thailand and the Lao PDR with a view to bring about tangible benefits for the peoples of the two countries, especially in the context of the recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. The meeting was conducted in an atmosphere of friendship and mutual understanding. Summary of key outcomes are as follows:

1. Closer political-security cooperation to promote common security

Both sides attached high importance to strengthening cooperation in maintaining peace and security along the border areas. Both sides agreed to step up patrol along the border to prevent illegal border crossings, which is one of the main causes for the spread of COVID-19 in both countries. Both sides agreed to strengthen cooperation on prevention and suppression of narcotic drugs as well as cooperation on anti - human trafficking.

They also agreed to promote closer cooperation in labour issues. The Thai side recognised the important contribution of Lao migrant workers to the Thai economy and reaffirmed that the Thai authorities would continue to take good care of them. Both sides agreed that the labour authorities of both countries would closely consult to prepare for the resumption of importation of Lao migrant workers into Thailand through a legal channel when the situation permits.

2. Closer economic cooperation to support resilient and sustainable recovery of both countries

- Trade: Both sides expressed their commitment to further promoting bilateral trade cooperation, especially cross-border trade. Both sides agreed to maintain the bilateral trade target of USD 11 billion, extending the timeframe of the said target to 2025. They also agreed to expedite their consideration to upgrade new border points of entry and to resume the border points of entry that have been temporarily suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with appropriate public health measures, in order to better facilitate trade and investment as well as to allow people on both sides of the border to resume their ways of life.
- Investment: Both sides reaffirmed the importance of the promotion and facilitation of investment, as well as protection of investors from both sides. Both sides agreed to promote closer cooperation in cross-border supply chain connectivity, logistics development and linkages of banking systems in order to facilitate cross-border transactions.
- Seamless connectivity: Both sides agreed to expedite the development of infrastructure projects and harmonisation of standards and regulations to promote greater connectivity and cross-border transportation in the sub-region. These include, among others, expediting the construction of the 5th Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge (Buengkan - Bolikhamxay) and the 6th Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge (Ubon Ratchathani - Salavan), as well as opening of the Common Control Area (CCA) at mutually agreed international points of entry. Both sides also agreed to the holding of discussions between Thailand, the Lao PDR and China on the connection of rail systems among the three countries, which will be beneficial for all sides.
- Facilitation of cross-border movements of peoples : Both sides supported the concerned authorities of both countries to establish a joint working group to consider the readiness to facilitate cross-border trade and mobility of people between both countries and to determine relevant measures towards this end. The first phase may be in a form of one-day trip between Nong Khai and Udon Thani Provinces of Thailand and Vientiane of the Lao PDR.
- Other areas of cooperation: Both sides agreed to promote cooperation in other areas such as digital economy, Bio-Circular-Green (BCG) Economy Model, energy and sustainable management of the Mekong River.

3. Closer cooperation for stronger people-to-people partnerships

- Public health: Both sides attached high importance to the promotion of public health cooperation and agreed to strengthen cooperation between local hospitals on both sides of the border in order to contain the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic and to be prepared for other possible contagious and emerging diseases in border areas. On this occasion, H.E. Mr. Don Pramudwinai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Thailand, and H.E. Mr. Saleumxay Kommasith, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Lao PDR, presided over a ceremony to symbolically hand over the (1) Phone Hong Hospital Centre for Drug Rehabilitation and Recovery and Building for Preliminary Treatment of Emergency Patients in Vientiane District, and (2) medical supplies for the Children’s Hospital in Vientiane.
- Development cooperation: Both sides agreed to work closely to promote development cooperation, especially in education, agriculture and health sectors, through the implementation of the Thailand - Lao PDR Development Cooperation’s Three-Year Programme (2020-2022).
- Education and human resource development and people-to-people relations : Both sides agreed to increase cooperation in education and human resource development. The Thai side would provide scholarships for Lao students in celebration of the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries as well as training courses for Lao officials. Both sides also agreed to closely cooperate to promote good understanding and closer friendship at the people-to-people level.

4. Sub-regional and regional cooperation

The Thai side expressed full support for the Lao PDR as the host of the 10th Ayeyawady-Chao Phraya-Mekong Economic Cooperation Strategy (ACMECS) Summit in 2022. Both sides agreed to coordinate closely to strengthen ASEAN, support ASEAN Community building, and maintain ASEAN centrality.

Both sides were pleased with the outcomes of the meeting, which will bring about tangible benefits for the peoples of Thailand and the Lao PDR and lay a solid foundation for closer relations between the two countries. The Lao PDR will host the 23rd Joint Commission meeting between Thailand and the Lao PDR at a time to be mutually determined.