On November 28, 2024, H.E. Mr. Maris Sangiampongsa, Minister of Foreign Affairs, held a telephone discussion with H.E. Mr. Thongsavanh Phomvihane, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic (Lao PDR), on the occasion of the latter’s assumption of office.

The Thai Foreign Minister congratulated Minister Thongsavanh on his appointment as the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Lao PDR and expressed his readiness to work closely together in both bilateral and multilateral frameworks for the mutual benefit of the two countries and the region. Minister Maris emphasised the importance of leveraging various Mekong sub-regional cooperation frameworks to address transboundary issues affecting the peoples of both nations, including drug trafficking, human trafficking, online scams, transboundary haze and water resource management.

Minister Maris also looked forward to welcoming Minister Thongsavanh in Bangkok on 20 December 2024 to chair the ASEAN Extended Informal Consultation on Myanmar, as the ASEAN Chair.