On 15 November 2026, H.E. Mr. Sihasak Phuangketkaew, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, joined the bilateral meeting between H.E. Mr. Anutin Charnvirakul, Prime Minister, and H.E. Mr. Saleumxay Kommasith, Prime Minister of the Lao PDR, on the sideline of the 49^th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits in Manila, the Republic of the Philippines.

This was the first meeting between the two leaders following the Prime Minister of the Lao PDR’s assumption of office in October 2026. Both sides reaffirmed the commitment to advancing bilateral cooperation across all areas, particularly in promoting high-level exchanges, maintaining border peace and security, stepping up cooperation to combat online scams and narcotic drugs, facilitating trade and investment, promoting energy security, and enhancing transport and logistics connectivity, especially the construction project of the 6th Thai–Lao Friendship Bridge (Ubon Ratchathani–Salavan) and the new Mekong River Railway Bridge (Nong Khai–Vientiane).

Both sides shared a common interest in peace and stability in the region. The Thai side reaffirmed the commitment to maintaining peace and safety along the Thailand – Cambodia border, and expressed the hope that Cambodia would work with Thailand to rebuild trust and improve the atmosphere between the two countries.