His Excellency Mr. Phankham Viphavanh, Prime Minister of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, and his spouse paid an official visit to Thailand as Guests of the Royal Thai Government during 1 - 2 June 2022. On this occasion, His Excellency the Prime Minister of the Lao PDR and his spouse were granted an audience with Their Majesties the King and Queen at Amphorn Sathan Palace, and an audience with Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn at Sa Pathum Palace on 2 June 2022.

The Prime Minister of the Lao PDR had a meeting with His Excellency General Prayut Chan-o-cha, Prime Minister of Thailand, in the evening of 1 June 2022 at the Government House.

Both Prime Ministers had an extensive discussion on a broad range of issues covering all dimensions of Thai - Lao relations in an atmosphere of friendship and good neighborliness. They agreed to open a new chapter of relations by elevating the bilateral cooperation to a “Strategic Partnership for Growth and Sustainable Development.”

1. Economic cooperation
- The two PMs agreed to work closely to expeditiously revive the livelihoods of peoples and economic activities along the border areas that have been adversely affected by impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Both Prime Ministers were pleased that all international border points of entry between the two countries have reopened and agreed to further coordinate to resume the remaining temporary border points of entry at the earliest opportunity.

- Expeditiously revive tourism cooperation to create jobs and income for the peoples of both countries by working together to conclude an action plan to promote tourism linkages between the two countries, especially the tourism route between Luang Prabang Province of the Lao PDR and the Northern Provinces of Thailand. On this occasion, the Prime Minister of Thailand reaffirmed Thailand’s readiness to support the Lao PDR on the construction of Xieng Man – Luang Prabang Bridge to promote tourism connectivity along this corridor.

- Further accelerate and expand transport connectivity, particularly the rail linkage between the two countries through the construction of a new railway bridge near the First Thai – Lao Friendship Bridge (Nong Khai - Vientiane) in order to realise the full potential of Laos – China Railway for the benefits of both countries. Moreover, both sides agreed to expedite key infrastructure projects and further harmonise relevant standards and regulations. These include the construction of the Fifth Thai - Lao Friendship Bridge (Buengkan - Bolikhamxay) and the Sixth Thai - Lao Friendship Bridge (Ubon Ratchathani - Salavan), improvement of Road Number 12 (R12) in the Lao PDR (Nakhon Phanom – Khammouane – Napao), and the commencement of the Common Control Area (CCA) at mutually agreed international points of entry to minimise cost and time for customs clearance at border crossings which will benefit the peoples of both countries.

- Promote the recruitment of Lao workers to work in Thailand only through legal channel based on the Memorandum of Understanding on Labour Cooperation between the two countries. For investment cooperation, the two sides agreed to promote a greater flow of investment with emphasis on projects which create local employment and are environmentally friendly.

- Strengthen cooperation on digital economy which is vital for national development in the modern economy. The Prime Minister of Thailand conveyed Thailand’s readiness to support the Lao PDR on the development of digital skills and capacity-building of human resources, as well as the improvement of international payment system.

2. Security cooperation
- Step up border patrol to prevent illegal border crossings and further strengthen cooperation in the prevention and suppression of drug trafficking. On this occasion, the Prime Minister of Thailand conveyed Thailand’s readiness to support the Lao PDR on further investigation of perpetrators, arrest cases and provision of modern equipment. They agreed to fully cooperate to tackle organised crimes such as “Call Centre Gangs” and human trafficking in order to prevent the peoples of both countries from falling victim to these criminal networks.

3. Cooperation at the people-to-people level
-The two PMs reiterated the importance of forging closer cooperation at the people-to-people level in order to lay a strong foundation for advancing bilateral relations in all aspects. Both sides agreed to further strengthen bilateral development cooperation in public health, particularly between sister hospitals along the Thai – Lao border, as well as cooperation in agriculture and human resources development. On this occasion, the Thai PM announced that the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation of Thailand is ready to provide over 700 scholarships to young people from the Lao PDR to pursue higher education in Thailand. Both sides also agreed to forge closer cooperation between the mass media of both countries to help promote better and deeper understanding at the people-to-people level.

4. Sub-regional and regional cooperation
-Both leaders agreed that both countries should closely coordinate and enhance cooperation at both sub-regional and regional levels in order to address present and future challenges. The Prime Minister of Thailand reaffirmed Thailand’s full support for the Lao PDR as the host of the 10th ACMECS Summit this year and ASEAN Chair in 2024.

After the meeting, the Thai PM handed over to the PM of the Lao PDR the support of the Royal Thai Government on the establishment of Thai - Lao Friendship Centre for Social Development in Xaythany District of the Vientiane Capital, which is aimed at providing a one stop service and support for victims of human trafficking. The two Prime Ministers also witnessed the signing of “the Five-Year Action Plan on Thai – Lao Strategic Partnership for Growth and Sustainable Development (2022 – 2026) and the Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of the Kingdom of Thailand and the Government of the Lao PDR on Thai - Lao Arboretum Project, as well as the exchange of the Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of the Kingdom of Thailand and the Government of the Lao PDR regarding Cooperation on the Development of Electrical Energy in the Lao PDR 2022.

Both PMs then held a joint press conference on the outcomes of their discussion (remarks by the PM of Thailand as attached) and attended a dinner hosted by the PM of Thailand in honour of the PM of the Lao PDR and his delegation.

During this visit, an honorary doctorate degree in political science was presented to the PM of the Lao PDR by Maejo University in recognition of his outstanding role in laying a strong educational foundation for the Lao PDR. The PM of the Lao PDR also gave a keynote speech at the Thai – Lao Business Talk and Networking event, which was organised in conjunction with this official visit and was attended by a large number of members of the private sector from both countries to network with each other and discuss investment opportunities in the Lao PDR and transport connectivity at the regional level.