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Mr. Kirati Veruwan, Vice President of the Neighbouring Countries Economic Development Cooperation Agency (Public Organization) (NEDA), joined a delegation led by Mr. Sihasak Phuangketkeow, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, on a field visit to inspect and identify the construction site for the Ban Xieng Mene–Luang Prabang Bridge Project in Luang Prabang. The visit provided an opportunity to assess actual site conditions and receive updates on the project’’s progress and implementation details ahead of the planned commencement of construction. The visit also represented a follow-up to the outcomes of the 23rd Meeting of the Joint Commission (JC) on Thailand–Lao PDR Cooperation. The Cabinet approved NEDA’’s provision of financial assistance to the Lao PDR in the form of a loan totaling THB 1,783,671,500 for the construction of a bridge across the Mekong River, connecting Ban Xieng Mene with Luang Prabang. The project is expected to reduce travel times, improve convenience and safety for passengers and freight transport, and address limitations on cross-river transportation. It also builds on the earlier Hongsa – Chomphet District Road Construction Project in Luang Prabang Province, for which NEDA previously provided financial assistance to the Lao PDR. The road has played an important role in linking Nan Province in Thailand with Luang Prabang in the Lao PDR, which are sister cities, while strengthening the continuity of the regional transport network.

On October 2, 2026, Mr. Kirati Veruwan, Vice President of the Neighbouring Countries Economic Development Cooperation Agency (Public Organization) (NEDA), and his delegation attended the 23rd Meeting of the Joint Commission (JC) on Thailand–Lao PDR Cooperation at Pullman Luang Prabang in Luang Prabang, Lao PDR. The meeting was co-chaired by Mr. Sihasak Phuangketkeow, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Thailand, and Mr. Thongsavanh Phomvihane, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Lao PDR. Following the opening ceremony, the two co-chairs exchanged views on bilateral cooperation and received a report on the Senior Officials’’ Meeting (SOM). The meeting subsequently endorsed the draft minutes of the 23rd JC Meeting before its conclusion. At the end of the meeting, Mr. Kirati presented a plaque commemorating the financial assistance provided for the Ban Xieng Mene–Luang Prabang Bridge Construction Project in the Lao PDR to Mr. Chanthali Chansompeng, Deputy Director-General of the Department of International Cooperation and Finance under the Lao Ministry of Finance, who received it on behalf of the Lao side. The two co-chairs witnessed the presentation, after which all participants gathered for a group photograph.

On October 1, 2026, Mr. Kirati Veruwan, Vice President of the Neighbouring Countries Economic Development Cooperation Agency (Public Organization) (NEDA), and his delegation attended the Senior Officials’’ Meeting (SOM) for The 23rd Meeting of the Joint Commission (JC) on Bilateral Cooperation between Thailand and the Lao PDR. The meeting, hosted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Lao PDR, was held from September 30 to October 2, 2026, in Luang Phrabang, Lao PDR. In the morning, NEDA participated in the SOM economic subgroup to review the draft minutes of the JC meeting. In the afternoon, the delegation attended the full SOM session to prepare for the JC meeting. The SOM serves as a preparatory mechanism for the JC, which is intended to discuss approaches to developing bilateral cooperation across all dimensions, deepen relations between the two countries, and support shared security and development. Through its participation, NEDA followed economic cooperation issues between Thailand and the Lao People’’s Democratic Republic, particularly infrastructure development and regional connectivity. These areas are consistent with NEDA’’s mission of providing financial and technical cooperation to neighboring countries, and the information obtained will be used in considering future projects.

On September 17, 2026, Mr. Kirati Veruwan, Vice President of the Neighbouring Countries Economic Development Cooperation Agency (Public Organization) (NEDA), together with Mr. Atipat Rojanapaibulya, Ambassador in Dili, and their delegation, met Ms. Ines Araujo Goncalves, Principal Coordinator, Blue Economy Unit, Land and Maritime Boundary Office, and her delegation. The meeting, held at the Land and Maritime Boundary Office in Dili, Timor-Leste, focused on opportunities for blue economy cooperation between Thailand and Timor-Leste. The discussions were intended to provide information on Timor-Leste’’s blue economy policies and development direction and to identify needs for projects involving marine and coastal resources. Key issues included upgrading the fisheries and fish-processing industries, developing sustainable coastal fisheries, and promoting environmentally responsible coastal tourism. The Land and Maritime Boundary Office plays a central role in land and maritime boundary affairs and in advancing the blue economy through its Blue Economy Unit. Its work supports Timor-Leste government policy aimed at using marine and coastal resources to generate economic growth while promoting conservation and sustainable responses to climate change. The discussions were intended to identify opportunities that could lead to concrete cooperation and further strengthen development cooperation between Thailand and Timor-Leste.

On September 17, 2026, Mr. Kirati Veruwan, Vice President of the Neighbouring Countries Economic Development Cooperation Agency (Public Organization) (NEDA), together with Mr. Atipat Rojanapaibulya, Ambassador in Dili, and their delegation, met representatives of the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) in Timor-Leste at the World Bank Country Office in Dili, Timor-Leste. Mr. David Freedman, World Bank Group Resident Representative for Timor-Leste, and Mr. Artur Andrysiak, Country Director, ADB Timor-Leste, participated in the discussions. The meeting was intended to provide NEDA with information on Timor-Leste’’s development policies and direction, as well as the strategies and operational approaches of the World Bank and ADB. The participants also exchanged information on sectors and projects with potential for future cooperation between NEDA and Timor-Leste, including financial terms and procedures for developing cooperation projects. The World Bank presented its development and support priorities for Timor-Leste, while ADB presented its Country Partnership Strategy and strategic cooperation framework. The participants exchanged views and recommendations on approaches to project development that would align with Timor-Leste’’s priorities and needs. The discussions provided an opportunity to exchange information on Timor-Leste’’s development direction and explore ways to expand cooperation and develop potential projects that could produce tangible results under development cooperation between Thailand and Timor-Leste.

On September 17, 2026, Mr. Kirati Veruwan, Vice President of the Neighbouring Countries Economic Development Cooperation Agency (Public Organization) (NEDA), and his delegation, together with Mr. Atipat Rojanapaibulya, Ambassador in Dili, met Ms. Regina de Jesus at the Ministry of Finance of Timor-Leste. The meeting included an exchange of broad development policy information, as well as a presentation of financial terms and cooperation procedures for future development projects. The discussions sought cooperation approaches consistent with Timor-Leste’’s needs and aligned with NEDA’’s cooperation strategy and Mid-Term Plan 1. The two sides jointly considered a possible three-year cooperation plan for 2027-2030 covering potential development projects involving several ministries, with a focus on Regional Integration. Particular attention was given to preparations for and support of Timor-Leste’’s accession to ASEAN, as well as strengthening economic, social and environmental connectivity to deepen international relations and cooperation and promote sustainable shared growth.