PATTAYA, Chonburi – On June 10th, 2026, Thai and Lao officials held the 21st Thailand–Laos Bilateral Meeting on Cooperation in Drug Prevention and Suppression at the Mövenpick Siam Najomtien Hotel in Pattaya. The high-level talks were to intensify joint efforts against transnational drug crime and secure the Mekong River region.
Pol Lt Gen Ruthapol Naowarat, Thai Minister of Justice, and Maj Gen Kongsawat Bunliang, Deputy Minister of Public Security of the Lao PDR, co-chaired the meeting and later addressed the media on its outcomes.
Minister Ruthapol, who led the Thai delegation, described the meeting as highly successful and reflective of both countries’ strong commitment to eliminating the drug threat.
“The meeting produced concrete results,” he said. “It demonstrates the shared determination of Thailand and Laos to tackle drug-related threats together.”
The two sides reached key agreements on three main fronts:
1. Enhanced Intelligence Sharing and Fugitive Tracking
Both countries agreed to deepen intelligence cooperation, joint investigations, and law enforcement coordination. Laos pledged full support in tracking and arresting 18 high-profile Thai drug suspects believed to be currently hiding in Lao territory, along with other transnational drug network targets.
2. Tighter Border and Mekong River Controls
The meeting focused on stricter measures to intercept drugs, precursors, and chemical substances along border areas and the Mekong River, a major smuggling route. Thailand will support Laos’ operational capacity to disrupt trafficking at its source. A focus of the event was the handover ceremony of the “Pak Tha Drug Checkpoint” under the 2026 project to strengthen cross-border drug suppression cooperation.
3. Community-Level Cooperation
Both nations will expand joint efforts at the local level through the “Twin Strong Villages” (Thai–Lao) initiative. The program is to build drug-free communities along the border, promote alternative livelihoods, and sustainably improve residents’ quality of life.
In addition, the two countries committed to advancing regional cooperation under the “Safe Mekong” framework and the Golden Triangle Action Plan to enhance drug control and regional security.
Minister Ruthapol expressed gratitude to the Lao government and all involved agencies for their close work. He described the outcomes as clear proof of the strong strategic partnership between Thailand and Laos in combating drug problems, which will ultimately enhance safety for citizens of both nations.
For the original version of this article, please visit The Pattaya News.
