Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Srettha Thavisin visited Lao PDR to meet with his counterpart, Sonexay Siphandone, the Prime Minister of the Lao PDR. They discussed enhanced cooperation, with a focus on clean energy trade. Both leaders agreed to work towards reducing trade barriers and fostering trade facilitation to reach a trade target of 11 billion US dollars by 2025.

Discussing the meeting, Chai Watcharong, the government spokesperson disclosed the following:

On trade

The Prime Minister is committed to bolstering economic connectivity between the Lao PDR and Thailand's northeastern region, creating a mutually advantageous growth area. Srettha and his counterpart aim to reduce trade barriers and facilitate commerce with the goal of achieving an 11 billion US dollar trade target by 2025. Both parties will convene to outline strategies for increasing trade volume in the future.

Infrastructure connectivity

Srettha affirmed his support for the Lao PDR government's transition from a landlocked to a land-linked nation. He reiterated the commitment to collaborative efforts with the Lao government to develop various infrastructure projects that enhance transportation and logistics connectivity between the two countries.

Railway infrastructure

The Thai Prime Minister urged both parties to expedite discussions on a Mekong River railway bridge (from Nong Khai, Thailand to Vientiane, Lao PDR) and expressed Thailand's readiness to offer special-rate loans. He also emphasised the need to accelerate the development of a technical arrangement for commencing railway services between Thanaleng and Vientiane by early next year.

Road and bridge connectivity

Srettha acknowledged progress in various projects, including the near completion of the 5th Friendship Bridge (Bueng Kan, Thailand – Bolikhamsai, Lao PDR) and a mutual agreement on the principles of the 6th Friendship Bridge (Ubon Ratchathani, Thailand- Salavan, Lao PDR). He also noted the progress on the project to upgrade Highway 12, connecting Nakhon Phanom province in Thailand to Tha Khaek in Lao PDR, which will not only offer greater convenience and faster transport connectivity between Thailand, the Lao PDR, Vietnam, and China but also contribute to the economic development of the communities along the route.

Rail transportation and logistics

The Prime Minister urged joint efforts to improve transport efficiency, with transparent and stable charges at Vientiane Logistic Park, to enhance trade via the railway. He also encouraged the Lao side to allow Thai trucks hauling container trailers to transport goods into the Lao PDR as they did before the COVID-19 situation.

Cross-border haze

Both parties will speed up joint action plan development involving Thailand, Lao PDR, and Myanmar to mitigate health impacts. Thailand will aid Lao PDR in creating a fire risk map and training personnel. 

Clean energy

Srettha expressed Thailand’s interest in purchasing more clean energy from Laos to assist the growth of Thailand’s industry sector.