H.E. Mr. Phankham Viphavanh, Prime Minister of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, and his spouse are scheduled to pay an official visit to Thailand as guests of the Royal Thai Government during 1 - 2 June 2022.

H.E. the Prime Minister of the Lao PDR will be accompanied by several key members of his Cabinet, underscoring the importance given to this official visit and the close cooperation between Thailand and the Lao PDR, both at the bilateral and regional levels. Leading members of the private sector from the Lao PDR will also take part in this visit.

On 1 June 2022, H.E. the Prime Minister of the Lao PDR will attend the official welcoming ceremony and have a bilateral meeting with H.E. General Prayut Chan-o-cha, Prime Minister of Thailand, at the Government House, to be followed by an official dinner hosted in his honour by the Prime Minister of Thailand. The two Prime Ministers will discuss all key areas of bilateral cooperation, including the elevation of bilateral relations to Strategic Partnership for Growth and Sustainable Development; trade and investment promotion; facilitation of cross-border travels and transportation to promote economic activities and livelihoods of peoples living along the border areas; as well as regional connectivity and infrastructure development, particularly the rail linkage between the two countries. They will also discuss cooperation on digital economy, labour, tourism, public health, human resources development, and prevention and suppression of drug trafficking, among others.  

In addition, two major side events will be organised. The first event is the presentation ceremony of honorary doctorate degree in political science conferred on the Prime Minister of the Lao PDR by Maejo University in recognition of his prominent role in the socio-economic development of the Lao PDR based on strong educational foundations. The second event is a business networking event during which representatives from the private sector of Thailand and the Lao PDR will discuss trade and investment opportunities in light of the increasing connectivity within the region, particularly how to fully utilise the potentials of the Laos – China Railway for the benefit of both countries as well as the region as a whole.

The official visit to Thailand by H.E. Mr. Phankham Viphavanh – his first as the Prime Minister of the Lao PDR – will be an important opportunity for leaders of both countries to forge closer relations and strategise the future direction of bilateral cooperation between Thailand and the Lao PDR, especially in the context of recovery from adverse impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic as well as current international situations.