Thailand and Laos set US$11 billion bilateral trade goal for 2027

Thailand and Laos have agreed to improve border logistics and deepen economic cooperation as they work towards US$11 billion in bilateral trade in 2027.

Better transport connections are intended to support that growth and strengthen links across the region.

The commitments emerged from the 23rd meeting of the Laos–Thailand Joint Commission on Bilateral Cooperation, held in Luang Prabang on October 2, 2026.

Leading the talks were Thongsavanh Phomvihane, Laos’ deputy prime minister and foreign minister, and his Thai counterpart, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow.

Two proposed Friendship Bridges would provide additional connections between the neighbours.

The Lao Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the ministers reviewed construction plans for the sixth bridge between Salavan and Thailand’s Ubon Ratchathani province, and the seventh between Meun district in Vientiane province and Pak Chom district in Loei province.

Road development and the Chiangman–Luang Prabang Mekong Bridge were also considered.

The latter is expected to make journeys between Luang Prabang and Nan province in Thailand easier.

Both ministers visited the construction site and witnessed an exchange of documents concerning the project.

For rail freight, Thanaleng Dry Port in Vientiane already connects Thailand’s metre-gauge network with the standard-gauge Laos–China Railway, allowing goods to move among the three countries and increasingly across the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) region.

The ministers discussed strengthening railway connections to facilitate regional passenger and freight transport.

A seamless standard-gauge connection with the Laos–China Railway is the aim of the Thailand–China high-speed railway, where construction is being accelerated.

Its Bangkok–Nakhon Ratchasima first phase is scheduled for completion by 2030 and is more than 55.27% complete.

The next section is planned to run from Nakhon Ratchasima to Nong Khai, connecting with the railway in Laos across the Mekong River.

For this second phase, the Thai government has announced plans to open bidding in December.

Trade between the neighbours totalled US$4.39 billion in the first eight months of this year, according to the Department of Foreign Trade.

In 2025, the value reached US$8.4 billion excluding electricity exports, making Thailand Laos’ largest trading partner.

The Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the logistics commitments extend beyond construction: border crossings, roads and bridges are to be improved alongside regulations and the digital economy to support trade, transport and development in border areas.

Cooperation between businesses in the two countries featured in the talks, with attention to the digital economy and the development of small and medium-sized enterprises.

The delegations also examined how economic diplomacy and cooperation through sub-regional frameworks could create further business opportunities.

Clean energy and the ASEAN Power Grid were identified as important to energy security and support for future industries.

Tourism cooperation has an annual target of three million visits, according to the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Thailand was Laos’ largest source of foreign visitors in the first half of this year, accounting for 833,738 trips, figures from the Tourism Development Department of the Lao Ministry of Culture and Tourism showed.

Along the shared border, the governments agreed to strengthen security and advance the demarcation of land and river boundaries.

They also committed to stepping up efforts against drug trafficking, human trafficking and online scams.

Other areas of cooperation included labour, finance and banking, agriculture, public health, education, science and technology, environmental protection and sustainable water management.

The CLEAR Sky Strategy provided the framework for discussions on transboundary air pollution.

Cultural exchanges and cooperation between the countries’ friendship associations were also on the agenda.

The Lao Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the commission reviewed progress under the minutes of its 22nd meeting and praised the expansion of cooperation over the past five years.

That progress covered politics, security, trade, investment, tourism and social development.

Relations have strengthened since the establishment of a Strategic Partnership for Growth and Sustainable Development in 2022.

Among the high-level exchanges highlighted was the 2025 opening of the fifth Laos–Thailand Friendship Bridge, linking Bolikhamxay and Bueng Kan provinces and marking the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations.

To conclude the meeting, Thongsavanh and Sihasak adopted its minutes and reaffirmed their commitment to good neighbourliness, friendship and mutual development.

They witnessed the signing of a letter of intent to establish friendly relations between Luang Prabang and Nan provinces, and exchanged documents on the Laos–Thailand border affairs action plan.

Regular exchanges between central and provincial officials are to continue, with both governments pledging to translate their strategic partnership into practical benefits for people in the two countries.

Source: Vientiane Times