Laos and Thailand aim for US$11 billion trade in 2027
Border infrastructure, rail connections and a goal of 3 million tourist visits annually were among the priorities discussed in Luang Prabang.
Laos and Thailand have set a bilateral trade target of US$11 billion for 2027, alongside plans to strengthen transport and economic links. Officials announced the goal in Luang Prabang on October 2 during the 23rd meeting of their Joint Commission on Bilateral Cooperation.
Thailand ranked as Laos’ largest trading partner in 2025, when trade between the countries reached US$8.4 billion, excluding electricity exports. Thailand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the governments agreed on logistics improvements covering roads, bridges and border crossings, as well as regulations and the digital economy.
Rail discussions focused on improving connections for passengers and goods between the Thai network and the Laos-China Railway. At Vientiane’s Thanaleng Dry Port, freight can already transfer between the two systems, which use different track gauges.
Laos’ Ministry of Foreign Affairs said officials considered proposed routes for the 6th and 7th Friendship Bridges. The 6th would connect Salavan province with Thailand’s Ubon Ratchathani, while the 7th would run between Meun district, Vientiane province, and Pak Chom district, Loei province. The delegations also considered the Chiangman-Luang Prabang Mekong Bridge and toured its construction site.
The Thai foreign ministry said tourism cooperation would be expanded with an annual goal of 3 million tourist visits. Other economic priorities included cooperation among private businesses, support for small and medium-sized enterprises, clean energy and the ASEAN Power Grid.
The governments also agreed on closer border-security cooperation and stronger action against trafficking in drugs and people, alongside online scams. Land and river boundary demarcation was another area of agreement.
