Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin had a telephone conversation with H.E. Sonexay Siphandone, Prime Minister of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic (LPDR), to strengthen bilateral relations between the two countries.
Prime Minister Srettha believes that the close relationship between the two sides will enhance cooperation to jointly address issues and bring greater happiness to the people of both countries. Regarding the drug problem, Srettha expressed his gratitude to the Lao government for their excellent cooperation.
Prime Minister Srettha mentioned four areas that will foster closer cooperation between the two sides:
- Coordinating intelligence efforts, possibly through more frequent joint patrols in high-risk areas.
- Enhancing capabilities in investigation and the extension of arrests.
- Promoting livelihood and occupational development to prevent drug use. The Thai government has supported the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC)’s alternative development program by funding coffee cultivation instead of opium in Houaphanh Province, Laos.
- Local-level cooperation between bordering provinces and districts, including security agencies and forces in the border areas. The Prime Minister of Laos has expressed his willingness to cooperate closely with Thailand.
On this occasion, Prime Minister Srettha emphasized the importance of using local mechanisms for cooperation and designated Thailand’s Office of the Narcotics Control Board as the main coordinator to establish closer cooperation in the future. (NNT)
