On 16 March, Thai King Vajiralongkorn (Rama X) and Queen Suthida began an official three-day state visit to Laos, the first by a Thai monarch in 32 years.Â
Vajiralongkorn, the 10th monarch of the Chakri dynasty, ascended the throne in 2016, making this his first official visit to Laos as King.Â
The visit follows an invitation from Lao President Thongloun Sisoulith and coincides with the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Thailand and Laos, first established in 1950.Â
The last Thai royal visit was made by the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej (Rama IX) and Queen Sirikit, the parents of King Rama X, in April 1994.
On the second day, the King and Queen are scheduled to hold an official audience at the Presidential Palace (Hor Kham), where they will meet with President Thongloun and his wife, and grant a private audience to Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone and National Assembly President Xaysomphone Phomvihane.Â
The day is set to conclude with a traditional Baci ceremony and a royal dinner hosted by the Lao President.
During the visit, the royal couple is also expected to pay respects at Thatluang Stupa, the sacred national Buddhist stupa in Vientiane, and tour the Ancient Lao Silk Hall, where they will observe exhibitions of traditional Lao silk and handicrafts.Â
They are additionally scheduled to visit the Huayxone-Huayxua Agricultural Development Service Center (KM 22), a project originally established under King Bhumibol Adulyadej.Â
The visit builds on recent bilateral engagements, including a meeting between King Vajiralongkorn and Lao President Thongloun in December 2025 at the inauguration of the 5th Lao-Thai Friendship Bridge (Bolikhamxay-Bueng Kan), and follows the April 2025 visit of Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, the King’s younger sister.
The royal couple is scheduled to depart Laos on 18 March, concluding a visit that reaffirms the enduring friendship, cultural affinity, and cooperation between Thailand and Laos across 75 years of diplomatic relations.
