Thai king and queen to pay state visit to Laos

2026-03-13 - 04:14

BANGKOK — Their Majesties the King and Queen of Thailand will pay a state visit to Laos from 16–18 March 2026 at the invitation of Thongloun Sisoulith, president of Laos, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on Friday. The visit aims to further strengthen the longstanding friendship and close relations between Thailand and Laos. It will mark the first visit by a Thai monarch to Laos in 32 years since Their Majesties King Bhumibol Adulyadej and Queen Sirikit The Queen Mother visited the country on 7–8 April 1994. According to the ministry, Their Majesties the King and Queen will attend an official welcoming ceremony and meet Thongloun Sisoulith, president of Laos, and his spouse at the Presidential Palace on 17 March. They will also grant audiences to Sonexay Siphandone, prime minister of Laos, and his spouse, as well as Xaysomphone Phomvihane, president of the National Assembly of Laos, and his spouse. In the evening, Their Majesties will attend a blessing ceremony and a state banquet hosted by the Lao president at the Presidential Palace. During the visit, Their Majesties will visit the Huayxone–Huayxua Agricultural Development Service Center, the first royal project in Laos initiated by King Bhumibol Adulyadej. They will also pay homage at Pha That Luang and view an exhibition of Lao silk and traditional textiles at the Traditional Lao Silk Residence. The visit follows the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Thailand and Laos in 2025 and is expected to further strengthen ties and people-to-people relations between the two neighbouring countries, the ministry said.