Thai Prime Minister discusses cooperation on anti-drug trafficking with Prime Minister of the Lao PDR

On 3 July 2024, His Excellency Mr. Srettha Thavisin, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Thailand, had a telephone conversation with His Excellency Mr. Sonexay Siphandone, Prime Minister of the Lao PDR, to strengthen bilateral cooperation on anti-drug trafficking along the Thai-Laos border.

The Thai Prime Minister stressed the importance of closer cooperation between the two countries to tackle the illicit drug problem, which is a common national agenda for both Thailand and the Lao PDR. Both sides agreed to further enhance their cooperation in four areas, namely (1) increased intelligence sharing and joint patrols along the border, especially in high-risk areas, (2) increased capacity-building programmes for relevant agencies, especially in areas of investigation and post-arrest investigation, (3) long-term development programmes to keep people away from engaging in illicit drug trade, and (4) closer cooperation at the local level between the two countries' border provinces and security agencies in the border areas.

In this regard, Prime Minister Srettha assigned the Office of the Narcotics Control Board (ONCB) of Thailand to organise a meeting between local authorities of Thailand and the Lao PDR in the border areas to develop a plan for enhanced cooperation among them.

The Thai Prime Minister expresssed his appreciation for the excellent cooperation provided by the Lao PDR.