Laotian Prime Minister to visit Thailand

BANGKOK, July 2 (TNA) -- Laos’ Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith will pay a two-day official visit to Thailand next week, aimed at strengthening relations between the two neighbouring countries, according to an announcement issued by the Thai Foreign Affairs Ministry. Mr Thongloun will be accompanied during the visit, starting from next Tuesday, by his wife and high-ranking officers from 13 ministries supervising foreign, social, culture and tourism, labour, security, trade and investment affairs, the announcement said. Mr Thongloun, who will visit Thailand the first time in his capacity as prime minister, will attend a dinner to be hosted by Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn at Sa Pathum Palace in central Bangkok on Tuesday. On Wednesday, he will hold talks with his Thai counterpart Gen Prayut Chan-ocha, the announcement said. Major issues to be raised during the discussion include regional connectivity and development for basic infrastructure cooperation, ways to promote bilateral trade and investment, labour cooperation, cross-border tourism, and development cooperation. The two countries are expected to sign a memorandum of understanding on labour aimed at promoting skills and labour protection, it said. Mr Thongloun and his accompanying delegates are scheduled to travel to the northeastern province of Khon Kaen and receive an honorary doctorate degree in management and to also deliver a special speech on ‘Laos heading towards development’, it added. (TNA)