On 28 January 2024, H.E. Mr. Panpree Bahiddha-Nukara, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Thailand, had a bilateral meeting with H.E. Mr. Saleumxay Kommasith, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Lao PDR, on the sidelines of the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Retreat – AMM Retreat in Luang Prabang.

The Thai side reaffirmed Thailand’s full support for the Lao PDR as the ASEAN Chair, and informed the Laos side about supports from Thailand for the successful Chairmanship of the Lao PDR this year as follows:

(1) A financial support for the renovation of the VIP terminal building at Wattay International Airport, Vientiane, to be used for arrivals of high-level delegates.

(2) Facilitation for international delegates transitting through Thailand to meetings in the Lao PDR, including coordinating with airlines for more flights between the two countries, which  will also support the Visit Laos Year 2024 campaign.

(3) Access to parking spaces at Thailand’s airports for VIP aircrafts coming to the Lao PDR for the ASEAN Summits.

Both sides discussed ASEAN’s role on Myanmar and Thailand will closely coordinate with the Special Envoy of ASEAN Chair from the Lao PDR. The Laos side expressed appreciation and support for Thailand’s initiative to scale up humanitarian assistance to the Myanmar people near the Thailand -Myanmar border. This humanitarian initiative is part of ASEAN’s collective effort to advance implementation of the 5-Point Consensus.

Both sides also discussed ways to step up cooperation to address transboundary haze pollution, enhance railway connectivity and promote tourism between Thailand, Lao PDR and other countries in the region.