Vientiane, October 16 (AseanAll) — On October 16, 2025, at the Presidential Palace, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Thai Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Anutin Charnvirakul paid a courtesy call on President Thongloun Sisoulith of Lao PDR.
The Prime Minister commended cordial relations between Thailand and Lao PDR as close neighboring countries and important strategic partners. The year 2025 also marks the 75th anniversary of the diplomatic relations, reflecting longstanding and stable friendship between the two countries.
The Prime Minister took the opportunity to express appreciation toward the President of Laos for his role as “True Friend of Thailand”, and affirmed the Thai Government’s commitment to continue strengthening cooperation in a tangible manner for the best interests of people of the two countries.
The President of Laos expressed pleasure to meet with the Prime Minister, and emphasized Lao PDR’s priority placed on forging close relations and cooperation with Thailand in all dimensions. He also expressed profound appreciation and admiration over the Thai monarchy’s role in reinforcing relations, and serving as a symbol of stability and friendship between Thailand and Lao PDR.
Both parties also discussed and exchanged views on security issues, and came to terms on joining forces to tackle transnational challenges, especially, narcotics smuggling, online scams, transboundary haze, and water management, which have posed risks on people’s safety and quality of life.
Thailand is ready to provide financial support to Lao PDR to promote capacity building of its officials in preventing and intercepting narcotics smuggling. The Prime Minister also affirmed the Thai Government’s commitment to promote people-to-people traveling, and transport and logistics connectivity between the two countries in a bid to enhance economic competitiveness, focusing on the strategy “From Land-Locked to Land-Linked”. He also mentioned the progress of key Thailand-Laos cooperation projects, i.e., improvement of Lao PDR’s Route 12 and the new railway bridge across the Mekong River at Nong Khai province. The Prime Minister was confident that these projects will further promote tourism and the economy between the two countries.
The President commended development cooperation between Thailand and Laos, particularly the royal initiatives projects, which have significantly contributed to the improvement of Lao people’s quality of life and sustainable human resources development. The Prime Minister also emphasized promotion of clean energy cooperation, which will attract green investments to both Thailand and Lao PDR.
