Department of East Asian Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Thai-Lao Association for Friendship handed over medical equipment, produced by King Mongkut's Institute of Technology Ladkrabang, to the Government of Lao PDR for the prevention of the COVID-19 outbreak, as part of the 70th anniversary celebration of Thai-Lao PDR diplomatic relations in 2020.

On 29 September 2020, Ms. Arjaree Sriratanaban, Director-General of the Department of East Asian Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, together with Mr. Kiattikhun Chartprasert, President of Thai-Lao Association for Friendship, handed over medical equipment for prevention of the COVID-19 outbreak to H.E. Mr. Seng Soukhathivong, Ambassador of the Lao People's Democratic Republic (Lao PDR) to Thailand, in a ceremony held at Buakaew Room, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Thailand.

The said medical equipment consisted of 4 positive-pressure COVID-19 test sets and 4 automatic thermometers, which were produced by Thailand's King Mongkut's Institute of Technology Ladkrabang (KMITL).

This handover aims to support the improvement of the capacity of Lao PDR’s healthcare system and to foster cooperation between Thailand and Lao PDR in preventing the spread of the COVID-19. It is also part of the activities marking the 70th anniversary of Thailand–Lao PDR diplomatic relations (1950-2020).

Since the outbreak of COVID-19, the Royal Thai Government, in cooperation with Thai private sector, has rendered assistance including the provision of medical equipment and financial support worth more than 7 million baht to Lao PDR with a view to contributing to the latter’s efforts to prevent and mitigate the eco-socio impacts of the pandemic.