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Remarks by
H.E. Mr. Abhisit Vejjajiva, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Thailand
at the State Reception in Honour of
H.E. Mr. Choummaly Sayasone, President of the Lao People's Democratic Republic, and Madame
Wednesday, 13th May 2009
The Government House, Bangkok
Your Excellency the President of the Lao People's Democratic Republic,
Distinguished Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,On behalf of the Royal Thai Government, I am greatly honoured to host the State Reception this evening in honour of Your Excellency the President of the Lao People's Democratic Republic and Madame Keosaychay Sayasone, as well as your delegation on the auspicious occasion of Your Excellency's State Visit to the Kingdom of Thailand, at the invitation of Their Majesties the King and Queen of Thailand. I sincerely hope that Your Excellency will have a pleasant and enjoyable stay in Thailand.
The Lao People's Democratic Republic and Thailand are neighbours which enjoy very close and cordial relations. This is why I chose to pay an official visit to Laos on 23 January 2009, the first country after my appointment as Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Thailand. Our two countries are "close relatives," sharing strong and long-standing relations. The Royal Thai Government regards "the stability and prosperity of the Lao People's Democratic Republic as the stability and prosperity of Thailand." Furthermore, our two Governments have worked actively together on the basis of mutual understanding in order to push forward our cooperation projects in various areas with the objective of promoting the mutual benefit of our peoples as well as their well-being and happiness.
At present, I am delighted that relations between our two countries are very close and cordial. Both Thailand and Laos share similar religion, language, and culture. In addition, our commitment in developing various infrastructure projects, such as building road networks and airports, has enhanced closer cooperation in various areas including transportation, trade and investment, and tourism. It was an honour for me to witness the official opening of the Thailand and Laos historic rail link from Nong Khai to Tha Na Lang on 5th March 2009 and the ceremony to lay the foundation stone of the 3rd Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge linking Nakornpanom to Khammouan on 6th March 2009, during which Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn graciously presided over the ceremony together with the Vice President of the Lao People's Democratic Republic.
Thailand and Laos attach top priority to the electrical power and energy sector, and have cooperations that would support the bid of Lao People's Democratic Republic to become the hub of reserved energy in the sub-region. During this current State Visit five memoranda of understanding (MOU) were signed, namely: (1) MOU on the Purchase of Additional Electric Power from Nam Thuen II Power Project; (2) MOU on the installation of 115 KV new connecting point between Tha-li (Leoi Province) and Pak-lai (Xaiyaburi Province) Sub Power Station; (3) Tariff MOU on Hongsa Lignite Power Project; (4) MOU between EGAT and EDL on Energy Compensation of Nam Ngum I ; and (5) MOU between EGAT and EDL on Energy Compensation of Xeset I Projects.
Tangible progress on these aforementioned cooperations was attributable to the close collaboration between the governments of Thailand and Lao People's Democratic Republic which aimed at promoting cooperation for the mutual benefit of the two countries. I am confident that Your Excellency's State Visit to Thailand will significantly contribute to the effort to foster closer relations between our countries and to create the mutual understanding between our peoples.Excellencies,Distinguished Guests,Ladies and Gentlemen,
On this occasion, I would like to invite all of you to join me in a toast to the good health and future successes of His Excellency the President of the Lao People's Democratic Republic and Madame Keosaychay Sayasone, to the happiness of the Lao people, as well as to the ever-lasting bonds of friendship between the Kingdom of Thailand and the Lao People's Democratic Republic.