Thailand’s Tourism Authority has incorporated the Laos-China Railway into its 2024 strategic direction, aiming to enhance tourism connectivity and attract quality visitors, marking a significant step towards sustainable growth and equitable distribution of benefits.
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has revealed its strategic direction for 2024, with a major focus on promoting high-value and sustainable tourism. As part of this vision, the TAT aims to prioritize overland travel via the Laos-China Railway, which connects the People’s Republic of China, Laos, and Thailand, seeking to enhance connectivity and boost tourism between the three nations.
The introduction of the Laos-China Railway high-speed train has already sparked a surge in tourism, particularly among Chinese and Thai travelers. Since the reopening of Laos’ land borders in May 2022 and the easing of COVID-19 restrictions, the travel industries of both Thailand and Laos have experienced a significant increase in activity.
The integration of the Laos-China Railway into Thailand’s tourism landscape marks a significant step towards achieving a more resilient and prosperous tourism ecosystem. This initiative is expected to open up new opportunities for cross-border tourism, foster economic growth, and emphasize sustainability.
The TAT’s strategic direction for 2024 also focuses on leveraging digital transformation and innovation, while seeking new global partners, such as Tourism Cares, Alipay, and WeChat. In addition, the TAT aims to enhance Thailand’s sustainability image in the international market and target emerging quality markets in Europe and the Middle East.
The promotion of overland travel via the high-speed train between China, Laos, and Thailand will be a key focus, while the TAT plans to showcase the unique strengths of each region of its nation through the Thailand Soft Power (5F) concept, highlighting local arts and crafts, happiness in travel, gastronomic delights, and responsible tourism.
In the domestic market, the TAT will prioritize stimulating Thai citizens to travel within their own country, increasing travel frequency, and ensuring the equitable distribution of tourism income among local communities.
With its strategic direction for 2024, Thailand aims to achieve an overall revenue target of 3 trillion Baht, with 35 million foreign tourists and 200 million domestic trips expected in the year.
By including the Laos-China Railway in its plans, Thailand is set to enhance connectivity, attract quality tourists, and drive economic growth while placing a strong emphasis on sustainability and equitable distribution of tourism benefits.
Laos secured funding of USD 500,000 for a series of poverty reduction projects through the Mekong-Ganga scheme during the 12th Mekong-Ganga River Cooperation Framework Meeting held in Bangkok, Thailand on Sunday.
The meeting, chaired by India’s Minister of External Affairs, Mr. Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, and attended and co-chaired by Laos’ Foreign Minister, Mr. Saleumxay Kommasith, reviewed the successful establishment of 11 poverty alleviation initiatives. The projects, valued at USD 500,000, will be implemented in Laos in collaboration with India.
This cooperation between Laos and India encompasses various aspects, including the promotion of micro-enterprises, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), and the integration and connection of the region via the India-Myanmar-Thailand Trilateral Highway project for socio-economic development. The priority areas of the cooperation framework in the region include tourism, culture, education, public health, transportation, and Information and Communication Technology (ICT).
During the meeting, the 12th Mekong-Ganga River Foreign Ministers’ Meeting adopted a joint statement and two additional documents. These outlined the responsibilities of the participating countries in the cooperation mechanism, as well as a cooperation concept document for the Mekong-Ganga Business Council.
The council is expected to oversee future engagements in stimulating more trade and investment cooperation as well as boost economic activities in the region. At the end of the meeting, Laos handed over the co-chairmanship to Myanmar, marking the continuation of Mekong countries spearheading co-chairmanship with India.
The Mekong-Ganga River Cooperation Framework was established in 2000, with India acting as a development partner for the initiative, which sees collaboration with countries along Mekong River including Thailand, Myanmar, Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam.
The Minister of Health put forward a new draft law on public health to the National Assembly on Tuesday which is aimed at improving the management and monitoring of healthcare services.
Paxaxon Newspaperreports that the Minister of Health, Dr. Bounfeng Phommalaysith, proposed the new draft law for constituents in the country to comment on and discuss.
The minister informed that the new public health draft law defines the principles, regulations, and procedures for managing and overseeing public health work in Laos to make it accessible and affordable for all citizens.
According to Dr. Bounfeng, the public health sector has often faced difficulties in managing its operations due to a lack of infrastructure, staff, and other resources. The revised law looks at not only protecting the interests of those seeking medical care but also that of healthcare professionals, with the goal of modernizing and improving services.
In its strategy until 2030, Laos’s Ministry of Health intends to reform the country’s public health sector by implementing strict levels of compliance and high-quality service throughout the country. It also provides instructions on how recent graduates in the field of medicine can obtain their licenses before starting their practice.
Mr. Bounlome Keobouahome, a constituent of District 7 in the province of Xayaboury, said earlier this month that 66.6% of 150 patients at Hahosot Hospital, Setthathirath Hospital, and Mittaphab Hospital were dissatisfied with the quality of their medical care, according to a survey.
https://www.tourismlaos.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Minister-of-Health-Dr.-Bounfeng-Phommalaysith.jpg6271200Soutsada Xaphouvonghttps://www.tourismlaos.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Lao-Simply-Beautiful-.webpSoutsada Xaphouvong2023-07-19 08:31:002023-07-17 10:33:36Lao Health Minister Presents New Draft Law on Public Health at National Assembly
Thailand Includes Laos-China Railway in 2024 Strategic Direction, Boosting Tourism Connectivity
Thailand’s Tourism Authority has incorporated the Laos-China Railway into its 2024 strategic direction, aiming to enhance tourism connectivity and attract quality visitors, marking a significant step towards sustainable growth and equitable distribution of benefits.
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has revealed its strategic direction for 2024, with a major focus on promoting high-value and sustainable tourism. As part of this vision, the TAT aims to prioritize overland travel via the Laos-China Railway, which connects the People’s Republic of China, Laos, and Thailand, seeking to enhance connectivity and boost tourism between the three nations.
The introduction of the Laos-China Railway high-speed train has already sparked a surge in tourism, particularly among Chinese and Thai travelers. Since the reopening of Laos’ land borders in May 2022 and the easing of COVID-19 restrictions, the travel industries of both Thailand and Laos have experienced a significant increase in activity.
The integration of the Laos-China Railway into Thailand’s tourism landscape marks a significant step towards achieving a more resilient and prosperous tourism ecosystem. This initiative is expected to open up new opportunities for cross-border tourism, foster economic growth, and emphasize sustainability.
The TAT’s strategic direction for 2024 also focuses on leveraging digital transformation and innovation, while seeking new global partners, such as Tourism Cares, Alipay, and WeChat. In addition, the TAT aims to enhance Thailand’s sustainability image in the international market and target emerging quality markets in Europe and the Middle East.
The promotion of overland travel via the high-speed train between China, Laos, and Thailand will be a key focus, while the TAT plans to showcase the unique strengths of each region of its nation through the Thailand Soft Power (5F) concept, highlighting local arts and crafts, happiness in travel, gastronomic delights, and responsible tourism.
In the domestic market, the TAT will prioritize stimulating Thai citizens to travel within their own country, increasing travel frequency, and ensuring the equitable distribution of tourism income among local communities.
With its strategic direction for 2024, Thailand aims to achieve an overall revenue target of 3 trillion Baht, with 35 million foreign tourists and 200 million domestic trips expected in the year.
By including the Laos-China Railway in its plans, Thailand is set to enhance connectivity, attract quality tourists, and drive economic growth while placing a strong emphasis on sustainability and equitable distribution of tourism benefits.
source: https://laotiantimes.com/2023/07/18/thailand-includes-laos-china-railway-in-2024-strategic-direction-boosting-tourism-connectivity/
Laos Co-chairs Mekong-Ganga Cooperation Ministerial Meeting in Bangkok
Laos secured funding of USD 500,000 for a series of poverty reduction projects through the Mekong-Ganga scheme during the 12th Mekong-Ganga River Cooperation Framework Meeting held in Bangkok, Thailand on Sunday.
The meeting, chaired by India’s Minister of External Affairs, Mr. Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, and attended and co-chaired by Laos’ Foreign Minister, Mr. Saleumxay Kommasith, reviewed the successful establishment of 11 poverty alleviation initiatives. The projects, valued at USD 500,000, will be implemented in Laos in collaboration with India.
This cooperation between Laos and India encompasses various aspects, including the promotion of micro-enterprises, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), and the integration and connection of the region via the India-Myanmar-Thailand Trilateral Highway project for socio-economic development. The priority areas of the cooperation framework in the region include tourism, culture, education, public health, transportation, and Information and Communication Technology (ICT).
During the meeting, the 12th Mekong-Ganga River Foreign Ministers’ Meeting adopted a joint statement and two additional documents. These outlined the responsibilities of the participating countries in the cooperation mechanism, as well as a cooperation concept document for the Mekong-Ganga Business Council.
The council is expected to oversee future engagements in stimulating more trade and investment cooperation as well as boost economic activities in the region. At the end of the meeting, Laos handed over the co-chairmanship to Myanmar, marking the continuation of Mekong countries spearheading co-chairmanship with India.
The Mekong-Ganga River Cooperation Framework was established in 2000, with India acting as a development partner for the initiative, which sees collaboration with countries along Mekong River including Thailand, Myanmar, Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam.
source: https://laotiantimes.com/2023/07/18/laos-co-chairs-mekong-ganga-cooperation-ministerial-meeting-in-bangkok/
Lao Health Minister Presents New Draft Law on Public Health at National Assembly
The Minister of Health put forward a new draft law on public health to the National Assembly on Tuesday which is aimed at improving the management and monitoring of healthcare services.
Paxaxon Newspaper reports that the Minister of Health, Dr. Bounfeng Phommalaysith, proposed the new draft law for constituents in the country to comment on and discuss.
The minister informed that the new public health draft law defines the principles, regulations, and procedures for managing and overseeing public health work in Laos to make it accessible and affordable for all citizens.
According to Dr. Bounfeng, the public health sector has often faced difficulties in managing its operations due to a lack of infrastructure, staff, and other resources. The revised law looks at not only protecting the interests of those seeking medical care but also that of healthcare professionals, with the goal of modernizing and improving services.
In its strategy until 2030, Laos’s Ministry of Health intends to reform the country’s public health sector by implementing strict levels of compliance and high-quality service throughout the country. It also provides instructions on how recent graduates in the field of medicine can obtain their licenses before starting their practice.
Mr. Bounlome Keobouahome, a constituent of District 7 in the province of Xayaboury, said earlier this month that 66.6% of 150 patients at Hahosot Hospital, Setthathirath Hospital, and Mittaphab Hospital were dissatisfied with the quality of their medical care, according to a survey.
source: https://laotiantimes.com/2023/07/12/lao-health-minister-presents-new-draft-law-on-public-health-to-na/