VIENTIANE: Prime Minister Sonexay Siphondone and his Thai counterpart Anutin Charnvirakul held talks in Vientiane on Thursday (Oct 16) to enhance bilateral ties across a wide range of areas, with the focus on economics and connectivity.
During the visit, the Thai government extended more than 42 million baht (more than 28 billion kip) to support Laos in the fight against narcotics, to improve the education and water supply system, and to provide anti-snake poison serum.
This is Anutin’s first official visit to Laos after being elected as the 32rd Prime Minister of Thailand.
The one-day visit, made at the invitation from Sonexay, is to enhance the 75 years of bilateral ties between the two neighbouring countries, the Lao Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement.
At the talks, held shortly after the official welcome ceremony at the Prime Minister’s Office, the two leaders hailed the growing bilateral relations. Laos and Thailand elevated their ties to a “Strategic Partnership for Growth and Sustainable Development” in 2022, marking a new chapter in the bilateral relations. Leaders and delegations of both sides have maintained regular exchanges of visits at all levels.
Under Thailand’s more than 42 million baht financial support for Laos, some 10.15 million will finance activities to intercept narcotics and destroy international drug trafficking networks. Almost 1.5 million baht will provide teaching and learning materials and equipment to Savannakhet Technical and Vocational College.
A total of 875,000 baht will be used to provide anti-snake venom serum to Phonhong District Hospital in Vientiane province. The remaining 30 million baht will provide technical assistance to Laos for the detailed design work of the Phase 2 Water Supply System Development Project in the country.
The in-depth talks also focused on cooperation across economy and trade, energy, tourism and infrastructure development.
The leaders discussed the opening ceremony for the 5th Laos-Thailand Friendship Bridge linking Laos’s Bolikhamxay and Thailand’s Buengkan provinces across the Mekong, which is planned at the end of this year.
The heads of the two governments further discussed cooperation in the political and security sphere, border demarcation, and joint efforts for maintaining peace and order in the border areas.
The leaders also touched on labour cooperation, joining forces to combat online scams, and prevent cross-border smog.
The two Prime Ministers agreed to work together to push for and harness all existing bilateral cooperation mechanisms to strengthen collaboration. They also agreed to jointly carry out activities to mark the 75th anniversary of diplomatic ties.
The Export-Import Bank of Thailand and the Agricultural Promotion Bank of Laos exchanged a Memorandum of Understanding.
The leaders also exchanged views on regional and international issues of mutual interest.
The Thai PM and his delegation also paid a courtesy call to President Thongloun Sisoulith.
The Lao leader conveyed warm greetings to His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn and Her Majesty Queen Suthida and other members of the Royal family.
The Thai PM thanked the Lao President and Prime Minister for the warm hospitality extended to him and his delegation. -Vientiane Times/ANN
