Bangkok, December 23 (AseanAll) — On December 23, 2025, Sisavath Inphachanh, Ambassador of Lao People’s Democratic Republic, paid a courtesy call on Thai Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Anutin Charnvirakul on occasion of his assumption of the position.
The Prime Minister welcomed the Ambassador to Thailand, and expressed confidence that with his experiences and understanding on Thailand, the Ambassador would greatly contribute to further promotion of relations and cooperation between the two countries. Thailand has placed high priority on Lao PDR as close neighbor who shares similar culture and tradition, and commits to strengthening relations and cooperation with Laos in a more comprehensive manner.
The Lao PDR Ambassador expressed condolences over the passing of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit, The Queen Mother, and the recent flood disaster in Southern Thailand. The Lao Government has contributed the financial aid of USD200,000 for the recovery and rehabilitation in the South, for which the Prime Minister thanked the Lao Government and its assistance in time of hardship. The Ambassador affirmed his readiness to continue reinforcing relations and cooperation with Thailand in all areas, especially trade goal achievement, to ensure tangible advancement in mutual cooperation.
Both parties also discussed issues of mutual interest:
On bilateral relations, the two parties were pleased with tight-knitted and long-standing relations, especially people-to-people relations, and an increasing exchange of high-level visits. This year marks the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Thailand and Lao PDR, and various activities have been organized to celebrate this special occasion throughout the year. The Ambassador hoped that the Joint Commission for Bilateral Cooperation be held in 2026, which Lao PDR is ready to host.
With regard to connectivity and logistics cooperation, the Prime Minister and the Lao Ambassador congratulated the completion of the 5th Thai - Lao Friendship Bridge, of which the opening ceremony will be held on December 25, 2025. This is a significant milestone for the celebration of the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations, and the bridge will help connect people, promote closeness, and enhance trade, investment, and tourism opportunities, thereby elevating livelihoods of people of the two countries. Thailand also endorses Lao PDR’s Land-Locked-to-Land-Linked policy, and hopes that Lao PDR, after the official opening of the 5th Thai - Lao Friendship Bridge, will push ahead construction of the new railway bridge across the Mekong River between Nong Khai and Vientiane.
On the Thailand – Cambodia situation, the Prime Minister thanked Lao PDR for its stance, and insisted on the importance to receiving accurate information from Thailand. The Prime Minister has visited the border area several times and reaffirmed that Thailand is never the initiator of the conflict. The country merely responded against Cambodia’s aggression as appropriate. The Prime Minister also clarified that the Government’s decision to control oil export is only a temporary measure to prevent smuggling of fuel into Cambodia, and not to restrict oil export to Lao PDR. He also emphasized that the Thailand-Cambodia situation is a bilateral issue.
