Laos, Thailand agree to boost cooperation, address border issues
Laos and Thailand have reached a deal to boost investment, border trade and resume talks to complete border demarcation, while vowing to take steps to legalise undocumented Lao workers in Thailand.
Dr Thongloun Sisoulith (right) and Surapong Tovichakchaikul address the press conference.
The 17th meeting of the Lao-Thai joint commission on bilateral cooperation ended yesterday in Vientiane, where Bangkok also reaffirmed its commitment to purchase 7,000MW of electricity produced by various projects in Laos.
The two-day meeting was co-chaired by Lao Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr Thongloun Sisoulith and his Thai counterpart Surapong Tovichakchaikul.
The Thai minister told a press conference held shortly after the meeting that Thailand supports Laos’ efforts to transform itself from a landlocked into a “land-linked” country.
“We have agreed to expand road links between Laos and Thailand through the fourth and fifth friendship bridges,” said Mr Surapong.
The construction of the 4th Mekong Friendship Bridge linking Chiang Rai province in Thailand with Bokeo province in Laos is progressing and is expected to open in 2014.
The two sides have also agreed to build the 5th Friendship Bridge to link Bung Kan province in Thailand and Borikhamxay province of Laos in the near future, Dr Thongloun told the conference.
The first three Mekong friendship bridges have boosted bilateral trade and investment growth between the two neighbours, meaning Thailand has become Laos’ biggest trading partner.
Bilateral trade value reached almost US$4 billion in 2011, up by 35.83 percent compared to 2010.
Both governments agreed last month to double bilateral trade value to US$8 billion in 2015, to be stimulated by addressing barriers to trade and investment, particularly at border checkpoints and immigration to create conditions for trading.
To enable Laos’ “land-linked” efforts, the meeting discussed the upgrade of four temporary border checkpoints into permanent ones to ease cross-border trade. Two of these checkpoints are in Xayaboury province, one in Khammuan province and another in the Golden Triangle area.
Thailand is the biggest foreign investor in Laos. Data show that in 2000-2011, the country invested US$4,295 million in 437 projects. However, throughout the last few years Thai investment has ranked third after China and Vietnam on a yearly average.
The two ministers agreed that the meeting achieved sound outcomes, saying both sides will put joint effort into encouraging more Thai investors to do business in Laos.
Both sides rescheduled plans to complete land border demarcation by 2014 after failing to meet a previous deadline slated for 2008. Meanwhile, water territory demarcation is set to be completed by 2016 after failing to be finished by 2010.
To pursue the targets, the two sides agreed to resume talks of the Joint Border Commission next month in Thailand after a five-year hiatus.
The two ministers also responded to a Thai reporter who asked about a border dispute in three Thai villages and Rom Khao village in Xayaboury province.
Both sides will form a joint commission to study measures to address the issue, the Thai minister responded.
Dr Thongloun said both sides will accelerate efforts to settle the issue, adding that the two sides need to work together to reach consensus regarding borders.
Bangkok committed to working with the Lao side to legalise undocumented Lao workers in Thailand in order to protect their rights.
The meeting also touched upon how to tackle the ongoing cross-border haze problem.
In addition, Thailand agreed to provide more master’s and doctoral degree scholarships for Lao nationals to study in Thailand.
The Thai foreign minister took the opportunity to pay an official visit to Laos to present himself after taking the position in August last year.
Before the joint commission meeting, he met for bilateral talks with Dr Thongloun at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, where both sides said they highly valued the friendly relations between the two neighbours.
Leaders of both sides maintain close contact and regularly undertake exchange visits. Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn of Thailand paid a state visit to Laos in the middle of this month, while Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra paid an official visit to Laos in September last year.
During his visit, Mr Surapong also paid courtesy calls on Prime Minister Thongsing Thammavong and National Assembly President Ms Pany Yathortou.
The Thai side handed over 2 million Thai baht to support Laos’ Friendship School project and presented 30 electric fans to Phaylom Secondary School.
Today the Thai minister is scheduled to visit the children and women consultation and protection centre in Nathom village in Xaythany district of Vientiane, where he will hand over a training facility funded by the Thai government.
