"Laos"

Thailand needs to accelerate its connection with the China-Laos railway to boost international trade and inject greater stimulus to its domestic economy, experts say.

The Marine Department, in its capacity as Thai government’s representative, recently attended the 19th Joint Committee on Coordination of Commercial Navigation on the Lancang-Mekong River among China, Laos, Myanmar and Thailand (JCCCN), which is hosted by China this year.

Commerce Minister Jurin Laksanawisit said on Monday that he will hold talks with Beijing to allow Thailand to export fruit to China via the China-Laos high-speed railway.

A Lao business leader said being part of the RCEP agreement would provide more market opportunities for Laos to expand production for export and promote the tourism sector.

The Department of International Economic Affairs published a statement on Thursday saying that the opening of the China-Laos Railway on December 2, marked a key milestone for the business and commercial exchange between Asean and China.

More than 33,400 people in 46 target villages in the provinces of Vientiane, Borikhamxay and Xieng Khuang are expected to benefit from the strengthening of the Lao National Nutrition Strategy with funding from the European Union (EU), Caritas and the Government of Luxembourg.

The 5.8-magnitude earthquake near Laos’ Luang Prabang area on Monday morning has not affected the structural integrity of dams in the North of Thailand, the Royal Irrigation Department (RID) said.

The Thai Chamber of Commerce recently raised concerns that the China-Laos railway will hurt Thailand’s agricultural economy and the competitiveness of small and medium enterprises (SMEs).

The Thai Meteorological Department reported that a 5.8-magnitude earthquake near Laos’ Luang Prabang early on Monday also hit nine provinces in Thailand’s North and Northeast, with the strongest tremor being felt in Nan.

The Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) announced on Friday that it will set up special disease prevention measures for travellers entering Thailand via the Nong Khai checkpoint from December 24.

1st China-Laos Railway freight train from Kunming arrives in Vientiane

A traditional ritual to mark the grand opening of the Laos-China railway, which takes place this afternoon, was organised on December 2 at the newly-built train station in Vientiane.