Laos studies Thailand’s local governance model as it seeks to improve administration
 
A delegation from the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party Central Committee’s Organisation Commission has studied Thailand’s experience in local governance as part of its efforts to strengthen the local administrative system in Laos.
The study programme, organised by the Royal Thai Embassy in Vientiane and Khon Kaen University’s College of Public Affairs and Policy (COPA), took place in Khon Kaen province during August 10-13 and focused on practical lesson-sharing, according to the Royal Embassy of Thailand.
Thai officials shared insights from Thailand’s 30-year local governance model, including approaches to budget allocation, revenue collection, and the use of digital technology in local administration.

The Lao delegation, led by the Deputy Head of the Party Central Committee’s Organisation Commission, Done Phaivong, was welcomed by the Thai Ambassador to Laos, Krongkanit Rakcharoen, Khon Kaen Governor, Khajonkiat Rakphanichmanee, and the Dean of Khon Kaen University’s College of Local Administration and Public Policy, Asst.Prof. Dr. Sirisak Laochankham.
During the visit, the Lao officials conducted field studies at Sila Town Municipality, Nam Pong District Office, Tha Phra Subdistrict Administrative Organisation Office, and Pa Wai Nang Subdistrict Health Promoting Hospital.
The field visits enabled the delegation to examine how Thai local authorities deliver public services and manage development at the operational level, including infrastructure development, civil registration and documentation services, primary healthcare and the work of Village Health Volunteers.

Digital governance was another key area of study. The delegation examined Thailand’s ThaiD digital identity application, One Stop Service system, and Geographic Information System (GIS), as well as locally developed applications such as SILA HUG. The latter is used to support elderly and vulnerable people and allows residents to submit complaints directly to local authorities.
Khon Kaen was selected as the host province because of its longstanding academic expertise in local governance and social and cultural similarities with Laos.
The province is an administrative hub in northeast Thailand and an important regional logistics centre, with upcoming high-speed and dual-track rail links that are expected to connect with the Laos-China Railway in the future.
The knowledge-sharing programme comes as Laos seeks to improve its local administration following amendments to the 2025 Constitution and the Law on Local Administration, which introduced “subdistrict” as a new administrative unit.
Lessons shared and gained could be adapted to Laos’circumstances, including the development of administrative structures and personnel capacity.
The Royal Thai Embassy said the programme marked an important step in strengthening bilateral relations, reaffirming Thailand’s role as a development partner for Laos. It also lays the foundation for expanded academic cooperation and the exchange of insights on local administration, as both sides look to take forward sustainable, long-term collaboration.

By Times Reporters
 (Latest Update August 28, 2026)