Vientiane, October 16 (AseanAll) — On October 16, 2025, at the Prime Minister’s Office of the Lao People's Democratic Republic, Thai Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Anutin Charnvirakul and spouse attended an official welcoming ceremony, and reviewed the honor guards together with the Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone of Lao PDR and spouse. The two Prime Ministers attended a plenary meeting afterwards.
The Thai Prime Minister thanked the Lao Government for the warm welcome. This visit was his first official visit abroad as the Thai Prime Minister. It also coincided with the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations, reflecting longstanding and stable relations between Thailand and Lao PDR. The Prime Minister also invited the Lao counterpart to the MLC Summit, to be hosted by Thailand at the end of this year, and revealed Thailand’s readiness to attend the JC and JBC meetings to be hosted by Lao PDR this year as well.
The Lao Prime Minister congratulated the Prime Minister for his assumption of the position, and expressed confidence that he would lead Thailand forward in a stable and sustainable manner. Lao PDR stands ready to continue to expand cooperation with Thailand in the mutually benefited areas.
Both parties also discussed other issues of mutual interest:
The two Prime Ministers agreed to join forces in tackling transnational crimes, especially anti-narcotics, online scams, and human trafficking. Thailand will intensify its cooperation in intercepting drugs and precursors, and will provide financial support and knowledge exchange to enhance capacity of Lao PDR officials in security missions. Thailand also called on Lao PDR to assign a key agency as contact point to liaise with the Royal Thai Police’s International Anti-Scam and Human Trafficking Syndicate Command Centre (War Room) in a bid to increase effectiveness on prevention and suppression of online scams and human trafficking along the border area. Establishment of a center to assist and provide relief to victims of human trafficking from both countries is also planned.
The two countries have also placed importance on addressing transboundary haze and water management in the Mekong River, especially cooperation under the “CLEAR Sky Strategy”. Thailand will support Laos in leveraging technology to upgrade its data collection and warning system.
Thailand is also ready to host the 8th COOP meeting between Thailand's Ministry of Commerce and Laos' Ministry of Industry and Trade to discuss measures for increasing border trades, and supporting SME networks in order to achieve the trade target of US$11 billion by the year 2027.
The Thai Prime Minister was also pleased with the progress of several transportation and logistics projects, i.e., the 5th Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge (Bueng Kan-Bolikhamxay) which will be opened soon, completion of the reinforcement of the 1st Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge (Nong Khai-Vientiane), and the improvement of Lao PDR’s Route 12. These projects will definitely help facilitate cross-border and transit goods transportation and attract more tourists from the third countries.
The Thai Prime Minister expressed Thailand’s readiness to provide assistance related to transport development, which includes financial assistance for the construction of Chiang Man-Luang Prabang Mekong River Bridge, the plan for a new railway bridge across the Mekong River, and the development of a comprehensive Thailand-Laos Logistics Strategic Plan.
Both parties also agreed to promote close energy cooperation to attract green investments to the region. The Prime Minister called on Lao PDR to support Thai investments in the energy and business sectors, particularly in solar power generation where Thailand has the potential, to significantly increase joint power production between the two countries.
Both Thailand and Lao PDR also constructively discussed multilateral cooperation. Thailand is ready to play a proactive and constructive role in supporting sustainable peace in Myanmar and believes that the upcoming Myanmar election, which will be held later this year, will be seen as part of the peace process and a significant step in the country’s political transition.
