Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra welcomed Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone for an official visit to mark 75 years of diplomatic relations. Discussions focused on border security, economic cooperation, and transnational crime, with Thailand urging Laos to designate a key agency for security coordination.
During bilateral talks at Government House, both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to three priority areas: strengthening border security to combat transnational crime, enhancing economic collaboration to improve livelihoods, and deepening people-to-people ties between the two nations. Sonexay highlighted the close cultural and linguistic connections between Thailand and Laos, emphasizing the visit as a milestone in diplomatic history.
The meeting also addressed call center scams and drug trafficking, with Thailand praising Laos for its crackdowns on criminal operations. Both sides agreed to strengthen law enforcement cooperation to prevent illicit activities. On cross-border haze pollution, Laos acknowledged Thailand’s support in providing technology and equipment to monitor wildfire hotspots, leading to a reduction in heat points. Thailand proposed expanded cooperation, including a joint wildfire and haze monitoring lab, data-sharing, and leveraging Thailand’s GISTDA (Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency) for air quality monitoring.
Following the discussions, both leaders witnessed the signing of four bilateral agreements, covering legal cooperation, railway transport, academic collaboration, and private-sector trade:
1. Plan of Action (2025–2027) on Justice and Legal Affairs Cooperation between the justice ministries of both nations.
2. Technical Arrangement on Rail Passenger Transport between the State Railway of Thailand and the Lao National Railway State Enterprise.
3. Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Academic Cooperation between Mae Fah Luang University (Thailand) and Souphanouvong University (Laos).
4. MoU between Thailand’s Joint Standing Committee on Commerce, Industry, and Banking (JSCCIB) and the Lao National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LNCCI).
Both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to economic development, security cooperation, and cultural exchanges, emphasizing that the Thai-Lao partnership remains a cornerstone of regional stability and prosperity.
Source: NNT
