29 April 2026, 02:00 PM — Mr. Suchart Chomklin, Minister of Natural Resources and Environment (MNRE), accompanied by Dr. Raweewan Bhuridej, Permanent Secretary for Natural Resources and Environment, Mrs. Krongkanit Rakcharoen, Ambassador of Thailand to Vientiane, and a delegation of senior ministry executives, met with Mr. Sonexay Siphandone, Prime Minister of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic (Lao PDR), in Vientiane. The meeting took place during an official visit to Lao PDR to discuss and elevate environmental cooperation between the two nations through concrete actions.
During the discussion, both parties agreed to pursue proactive cooperation to resolve the issue of transboundary haze, a shared regional challenge. Emphasis was placed on the application of modern technology, including the development of platforms for exchanging data on hotspots and PM2.5 dust particles via satellite imagery, the establishment of "Green Banks," and the enhancement of personnel capacity in forest fire prevention and control through training and knowledge transfer from the Thai side.
Mr. Sonexay Siphandone emphasized the importance of integrating cooperation between the environmental agencies of both countries to address issues that directly impact the health and quality of life of the citizens. Meanwhile, the Thai side expressed readiness to provide support in terms of technology, personnel, and equipment to enhance the efficiency of problem management. Mr. Suchart Chomklin stated that the Thai government, under the leadership of Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, attaches great importance to seriously resolving the transboundary haze problem by focusing on proactive efforts and collaboration with neighboring countries to achieve clear and sustainable results. “The haze problem is not an issue for any single country, but a collective regional challenge. Sustainable solutions require cooperation from all parties,” Mr. Suchart said.
Furthermore, both sides agreed to develop cooperation systematically, covering forest fire prevention, hotspot monitoring, the development of traceability systems, and the exchange of expertise to strengthen long-term joint operational capacity. Additionally, discussions were held regarding the drafting of a new Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to align with the organizational restructuring of Lao PDR and to address the evolving environmental landscape. This discussion marks another significant step in Thailand–Lao PDR cooperation, reflecting a close relationship and a shared commitment to resolving environmental issues, creating clean air, and sustainably improving the quality of life for people in the region.
