(KPL) The 14th meeting of the Joint Committee for Maintaining Peace and Order along the Lao-Thai border between Khammuan Province and Nakhon Phanom Province, Thailand, was held on September 10, 2025, in Khammuan Province.

The meeting was co-chaired by Mr. Vansay Phongsavan, Governor of Khammuan Province and Chairman of the Joint Committee for Maintaining Border Peace and Order of Khammuan Province, and Mr. Pradya Oonphetvarakorn, Governor of Nakhon Phanom Province and Chairman of the Joint Committee for Maintaining Border Peace and Order of Nakhon Phanom Province. Representatives from the Lao PDR Consulate General in Khon Kaen, the Royal Thai Consulate General in Savannakhet, and delegations from both sides also attended.

Both sides reviewed the implementation of the memorandum adopted at the 13th meeting, held in Nakhon Phanom Province on September 7, 2023. They reported that cooperation has been carried out effectively and in concrete terms, in line with the policies of both governments. The meeting noted that this mechanism serves as a solid foundation for strengthening collaboration and resolving issues at the provincial and district levels, thereby contributing to peace, friendship, and cooperation along the Lao-Thai border.

The two provinces also agreed to continue facilitating exchanges of high-level delegations, particularly in the areas of economics, arts, culture, and sports, with activities often held during important days and traditional festivals. However, the meeting also identified ongoing challenges, including unauthorized border crossings by some citizens, marriages not in compliance with regulations, cross-border trade in prohibited goods, and illegal sand and gravel mining activities along the border.

To address these concerns and enhance cooperation, both sides approved a draft memorandum outlining eight key areas of collaboration: maintaining border peace and order, safeguarding the border line, ensuring safety and security at checkpoints, preventing and suppressing narcotics along the border, conserving the Mekong River and addressing illegal sand and gravel mining, handling cases of detained individuals, promoting labor cooperation, and fostering economic cooperation between the two provinces.

The memorandum was officially signed by Governor Vansay Phongsavan and Governor Pradya Oonphetvarakorn in the presence of both delegations.  

KPL