Bangkok: Prime Minister Paethongtarn joins hands with the Prime Minister of Lao PDR to continue the "sustainable connection" to create security in the border area, crack down on call centers and drugs, build the 5th Friendship Bridge, push for the trade target of 11 billion dollars, and celebrate 75 years of Thai-Lao diplomatic relations so that the people can eat well, live well, and be happy.
According to Thai News Agency, Ms. Paethongtarn Shinawatra, Prime Minister, and Mr. Sonxay Siphandon, Prime Minister of the Lao People's Democratic Republic, jointly announced after the signing ceremony of the agreement and the exchange of memorandums of understanding, along with the launch of the logo to celebrate the establishment of diplomatic relations between Thailand and the Lao PDR on the 75th anniversary.
The Prime Minister said that on behalf of the Thai government and people, he was pleased to welcome the Prime Minister of the Lao PDR and his delegation on the occasion of his official visit to Thailand. Lao PDR is the first country that he has officially visited since assuming office. It is also the beginning of the celebration of the 75th anniversary of Thai-Laos diplomatic relations this year. They agreed to accelerate the progress of Thai-Laos cooperation and promote the well-being of the people in three main areas.
First, strengthen the security of the border areas of both countries. On drugs, they agreed to increase the intensity of cooperation, which is a national agenda of both countries, support the exchange of information and expand the investigation results of the joint task force and working group, and promote cooperation at the local and village levels. They also agreed to support the development of alternatives to plant crops to replace drugs, which Thailand has already started in Huaphan and Bokeo provinces.
In terms of the call center gang problem, Thailand and Lao PDR must cooperate more closely, as it is a common problem in the region. Thailand has proposed to use the Mekong-Lancang framework, which Thailand is chairing this year, to push for serious cooperation in the region. We also commend the Lao government for its crackdown on crime groups in the Golden Triangle Special Economic Zone in the past. The Thai side is ready to support Lao PDR in expanding the crackdown and investigation to prosecute those behind it, through Thailand's Technology Crime Suppression Center.
In terms of transboundary haze, we will push for continuous progress, such as setting up a laboratory to monitor and solve forest fire and haze problems further, and expanding the pilot project to create firebreaks to reduce parallel burning in areas of the two countries. In addition, the Thai side proposed linking the database and early warning system of the Lao PDR with the GISTDA system to increase the efficiency of problem solving.
In terms of solving flood problems, the Prime Minister is pleased that the telemetry system that Thailand supported the installation has helped in warning about water levels in the Lao PDR. Thailand is ready to support the installation of additional telemetry systems in the Lao PDR, especially in the tributaries of the Mekong River, and to link various telemetry networks together, which will increase the efficiency of the warning system and water management.
Second, create shared growth and prosperity. In terms of trade, it was agreed to achieve the bilateral trade target of 11 billion US dollars by 2027. The Prime Minister thanked the Prime Minister of the Lao PDR for helping to monitor and facilitate the transportation of Thai agricultural products across the border to China, including increasing the number of fruit transport trains and adding more product release channels at Laos-China border crossings. In addition, they will cooperate in reducing burning in the agricultural industries of the two countries.
In terms of transportation and logistics, many projects have progressed, including the reinforcement of the 1st Friendship Bridge and the construction of the 5th Friendship Bridge, which will be ready for use by the end of this year. They also agreed to jointly develop a strategy for the development of the logistics system and are ready to support various projects to progress, such as the construction of a new railway bridge in Nong Khai Province, the project to connect the Thai-Laos railway with the Laos-China railway system, and the connection of the Thai-China high-speed railway system with the Laos-China railway system. In addition, joint ventures between the Thai and Lao private sectors will be promoted to manage transportation and logistics in the region. This afternoon, there will be a Thai-Lao Business Forum, which will be an opportunity for the Thai and Lao private sectors to discuss the possibilities of this matter.
Thirdly, strengthen the special people-to-people relationship between Thailand and Lao PDR. The relationship has been good and long-standing, and the people on both sides are as close as relatives. On the occasion of the 75th anniversary of Thai-Lao diplomatic relations, both sides will organize activities to celebrate this special occasion throughout the year. Thailand is ready to provide more than 75 scholarships as a symbol of the long-standing relationship and to help develop human resources and youth of Lao PDR. In addition, Thailand is ready to continuously support Lao PDR in terms of public health, especially the development of medical personnel and the support of anti-snake venom serum, and agriculture through various royal projects, which help improve the quality of life of Lao people.
Meanwhile, both sides exchanged views on regional and international situations and cooperation, with Thailand ready to closely cooperate with Lao PDR, especially within the Greater Mekong Subregion and ASEAN frameworks, to promote common interests and solve problems facing the region.
'Thailand and Lao PDR are neighbors with close relations and inseparable mutual interests. On this special occasion when both countries are celebrating the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations, the Prime Minister is pleased and committed to cooperating with the Prime Minister of Lao PDR in promoting the well-being, happiness and well-being of the Thai and Lao peoples, as well as promoting the relationship between the two countries to be a sustainable connection for the next 75 years,' said Ms. Paetongtarn.