BANGKOK, July 6 (Xinhua) -- Visiting Lao Premier Thongloun Sisoulith on Wednesday met with Thai Prime Minister Gen Prayuth Chan-Ocha to discuss ways to promote skills development, employment and protection of Laotian workers residing in Thailand.
The two neighboring leaders of Thailand and Laos discussed issues including regional connectivity and infrastructure, trade and investment, cross-border tourism, development and labor management.
The two premiers also witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding on Labor Cooperation with the aim to promote skills development, employment and protection of workers.
Prayut said Laotian migrant workers were essential to the Thai economy, as they tend to do hard-labor jobs that most Thais prefer to avoid.
Prayut said Thongloun's visit was also about strengthening the bilateral relationship, as Thailand was a partner of the Mekong region.
Werachon Sukondhapatipak, the deputy government spokesman, said the talks would also touch on the ASEAN summit that Vientiane will host in November.
Thongloun's two-day official visit to Thailand is his first since taking office in April.
