SEAToday.com, Bangkok-Laos and Thailand agree to elevate temporary border facilities to permanent border checkpoints. These regulations are done to promote trade and security cooperation between both states.

Local authorities from both countries also talked about upgrading the checkpoint connecting Ban Pak Saeng, Na Tan district, Thailand to Paksaphan village in the Lakhonepheng district of Salavanh Province, Laos.

The decisions are made over the present limitations on specific items which restrict their sale and transportation at the border. This improvement, which is expected to start in the coming months will likely clear the path for the full opening of cross-border trade.

Before the COVID-19 pandemic, the Lao-Tai cross-border trade was estimated to be worth more than 77.8 million US dollars annually.

In the years to come, it is expected that increased cross-border trade with the building of the 6th Thai-Laos Friendship bridge, which will span the Mekong River from Salavanh's Lakhonepheng district to Ubon Ratchathani Province's Na Tan district in the Thai side.

Furthermore, they agreed to plan a strengthen security in border areas to combat illegal immigration, human trafficking, and drug trafficking. To further deepen collaboration and information exchange and to crack down on hostile groups that oppose the attempts to improve relations between Laos and Thailand. (FHADL/ALVIN)