Bangkok--Mar 6--MFA
Thai Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej paid an official visit to the Lao P.D.R. between 29 February — 1 March 2008, at the invitation of his counterpart Mr. Bouasone Bouphavanh, Prime Minister of the Lao P.D.R. The visit marked the Prime Minister’s first official visit abroad since assuming office and was the first of the Prime Minister’s customary introductory visit to fellow ASEAN member countries.
On 29 February, in addition to meeting with Prime Minister Bouasone Bouphavanh, Prime Minister Samak paid a courtesy call on Lt. Gen. Choummaly Sayasone, President of the Lao P.D.R. During their meetings, both sides welcomed the state of their bilateral relations which has strengthened significantly in every avenue, including those between their armed forces as well as their border provincial administrations. Both sides also discussed on the work of the Joint Border Commission and looked forward to the completion of the demarcation of the land boundary by 2008, and the marine boundary by 2010.
Both sides also expressed satisfaction with their growing co-operation endeavours, which have expanded to cover a myriad of areas. These include the construction of a railway link, the third and fourth Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge, the development of the airport in Savannakhet and Pak Se, and power plants. In this regard, the Lao side expressed appreciation for financial support amounting to some Baht 5 billion extended by the Royal Thai Government for the development of transportation network projects in Laos.
Both sides also discussed how to expand further their economic relations. Thailand is presently Lao P.D.R.’s leading trading partner with two-way trade reaching Baht 60 billion in 2007. Thailand is also a major foreign investor in Laos, investing a total of around USD1.3 billion in 169 projects during the period 2001-2008.
Both sides also attached importance to closer people-to-people relations. Here, Thailand affirmed its support and looked forward to Lao P.D.R.’s hosting of the 25th SEA Games in 2009.
On 1 March 2008, the Thai Prime Minister met with members of Thai officials posted in Laos from the various government agencies under the banner of “Team Thailand” to discuss the incoming Government’s priorities and policies. Prime Minister Samak also met with members of the Thai community in the Lao P.D.R.
Prime Minister at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Press Division, Department of Information Tel.(02) 643-5170
Fax. (02) 643-5169 E-mail : div0704@mfa.go.th End.
-PM-
Thai Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej paid an official visit to the Lao P.D.R. between 29 February — 1 March 2008, at the invitation of his counterpart Mr. Bouasone Bouphavanh, Prime Minister of the Lao P.D.R. The visit marked the Prime Minister’s first official visit abroad since assuming office and was the first of the Prime Minister’s customary introductory visit to fellow ASEAN member countries.
On 29 February, in addition to meeting with Prime Minister Bouasone Bouphavanh, Prime Minister Samak paid a courtesy call on Lt. Gen. Choummaly Sayasone, President of the Lao P.D.R. During their meetings, both sides welcomed the state of their bilateral relations which has strengthened significantly in every avenue, including those between their armed forces as well as their border provincial administrations. Both sides also discussed on the work of the Joint Border Commission and looked forward to the completion of the demarcation of the land boundary by 2008, and the marine boundary by 2010.
Both sides also expressed satisfaction with their growing co-operation endeavours, which have expanded to cover a myriad of areas. These include the construction of a railway link, the third and fourth Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge, the development of the airport in Savannakhet and Pak Se, and power plants. In this regard, the Lao side expressed appreciation for financial support amounting to some Baht 5 billion extended by the Royal Thai Government for the development of transportation network projects in Laos.
Both sides also discussed how to expand further their economic relations. Thailand is presently Lao P.D.R.’s leading trading partner with two-way trade reaching Baht 60 billion in 2007. Thailand is also a major foreign investor in Laos, investing a total of around USD1.3 billion in 169 projects during the period 2001-2008.
Both sides also attached importance to closer people-to-people relations. Here, Thailand affirmed its support and looked forward to Lao P.D.R.’s hosting of the 25th SEA Games in 2009.
On 1 March 2008, the Thai Prime Minister met with members of Thai officials posted in Laos from the various government agencies under the banner of “Team Thailand” to discuss the incoming Government’s priorities and policies. Prime Minister Samak also met with members of the Thai community in the Lao P.D.R.
Prime Minister at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Press Division, Department of Information Tel.(02) 643-5170
Fax. (02) 643-5169 E-mail : div0704@mfa.go.th End.
-PM-