May 19, 2013, at 1000hrs at Le Méridien Hotel, Chiang Mai, PM Yingluck Shinawatra and Premier Thongsing Thammavong of Lao PDR, along with the Cabinets of both countries attended the 2nd unofficial Thai-Lao Joint Cabinet Retreat to discuss on important agendas and progress of mutual cooperation with concrete results under the atmosphere of friendship and sincerity. The Thai Cabinet who attended the meeting comprised PM Yingluck, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul; Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Kittiratt Na-Ranong; Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yubamrung; Deputy Prime Minister and Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister Yukol Limlamthong; Minister of Defense; Minister of Social Development and Human Security; Minister of Transport; Minister of Commerce; Minister of Labor; Deputy Minister of Interior and Deputy Minister of Finance.
The cabinet members from Lao PDR comprised PM Thongsing Thammavong, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs Minister Thongloun Sisoulith; Minister of Public Security; Minister of Government’s Office; Minister of Agricultural and Forestry; Minister of Industry and Commerce; Minister of Public Work and Transportation; Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism; Minister of Finance; Minister of Natural Resource and Environment; Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs; Deputy Minister of National Defense and Deputy Minister of Labor and Social Welfare.
Both parties discussed and exchanged views on the issues of security, economy and culture. Gist of the discussion is as follows:
Cooperation in the area of politics and security was discussed on the following issues: (1) peace-keeping along the border areas-- Both countries will coordinate in the inspection and prevention of the acts of groups with evil intention to the nations. If ever an evidence of such acts is found, security agencies will immediately be alerted. Thailand also reaffirmed its policy to prohibit any individual to use Thailand as a base to plan for an insurgence or uprising against the Government of its neighboring countries; (2) exploration and expedition of border landmark planting; (3) drugs prevention and suppression-- enhancement of cooperation in drugs prevention and suppression as well as transfer of convicts and fugitives of drug-related crimes by efficiently utilizing existing channels for immediate exchange of information and command.
On labor and prevention of human trafficking, (4) both parties agreed on the cooperation to prevent children and women trafficking. Thailand expressed readiness to solve illegal Laotian migrant worker problem and facilitate the immigration of legal Laotian workers based on the MOU on Thai-Lao Employment Cooperation. Thai Cabinet also approved 120-day extension period of One Stop Service operation from April 14, 2013 onward to facilitate the verification of workers’ nationality.
As for economic cooperation, both parties expressed intent to join hands in promoting economic and trade development through (5) border facilitation particularly on the operation of Single Stop Inspection (SSI) and the improvement of areas and transporting routes around border crossing points in order to curb delay and congestion of commute around the areas; (6) Thai-Lao trade promotion-- Thailand is set to support Laotian economic development to enable higher income generation for the best interests of both countries; (7) utilization of Routes 8 and 12 as regional transport infrastructure connectivity as well as promotion of trade and investment along the two routes. The Thai Government will encourage Thai private sector to concretely invest in the areas around both routes, whereas the Government of Lao PDR will facilitate and standardize toll fee system. In addition, both parties agreed on the development of transport connectivity to link sub-regional countries and between Thailand-Laos-China, for example, construction of connecting railway (Nong Khai-Thanaleng) as a linkage with the Chinese high speed railroad along the North-South Economic Corridor, and the opening of 2 additional permanent border crossing points between Thailand and Lao PDR (effective on May 19, 2013), namely, the Phu Doo border crossing point in Uttaradit Province, and Sob Ruak checkpoint in Chiang Rai.
Discussion on tourism was also made. Thailand expressed support on (8) mutual cooperation on the promotion of regional tourism and increase of tourists commuting between Thailand and Lao PDR, as well as the endorsement of ACMECS Single Visa (ASV) as a scheme to promote regional tourism and income generation. This similar scheme was already launched between Thailand and Cambodia. In addition, both leaders hailed the year 2013 which marks the 20th anniversary of the establishment of Thai-Lao / Lao-Thai Friendship Association, which has played an important role in promoting people-to-people cooperation, socio-culture, and mutual relations between the two countries.
The meeting ended with a signing ceremony of three documents: a Joint Statement of the 2nd unofficial Thailand-Laos joint cabinet retreat, an MOU on agricultural cooperation between Thailand and Lao PDR, and an Agreement on ownership, management and maintenance of the 4th Thai–Lao Friendship Bridge (Chiang Khong – Houayxay).