Lao delegation examines Thailand’s local administration system
Field visits in Khon Kaen covered public services, budget management and digital systems that could support Laos’s revised local administrative structure.
- A Lao delegation visited Khon Kaen, Thailand, to study its local administration system to inform Laos's own governance reforms following recent constitutional and legal amendments.
- The study program focused on key aspects of Thai local governance, including budget allocation, revenue collection, and the use of digital technology for public services.
- The visit included practical observation at various local administrative and healthcare facilities to examine service delivery, primary healthcare, and infrastructure development.
The introduction of “subdistrict” as a new administrative unit in Laos provided the wider context for an August 10-13 study programme in Khon Kaen.
Laos is seeking to improve local administration following amendments to the 2025 Constitution and the Law on Local Administration.
Lessons exchanged with Thailand could be adapted to local conditions, including the development of administrative structures and personnel capacity.
Done Phayvong, deputy head of the Organisation Commission of the Central Committee of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party (LPRP), led the delegation.
The visit was jointly arranged by the Royal Thai Embassy in Vientiane and Khon Kaen University’s College of Public Affairs and Policy (COPA).
Thai officials drew on Thailand’s three decades of local governance to explain budget allocation, revenue collection and the use of digital technology in local administration.
An operational view of local development and public services came through visits to Pa Wai Nang Subdistrict Health Promoting Hospital and three administrative bodies: Tha Phra Subdistrict Administrative Organisation, Nam Phong District Office and Muang Sila Municipality.
At the four sites, the officials examined primary healthcare and the work of Village Health Volunteers, civil registration and documentation services, infrastructure development and wider service delivery.
The digital component covered the Geographic Information System (GIS), the One Stop Service system and the ThaID digital identity application, alongside locally developed tools such as SILA HUG.
The latter supports older and vulnerable people while allowing residents to submit complaints directly to local authorities.
The choice of Khon Kaen reflected both academic and regional considerations.
The province combines long-standing expertise in local governance with social and cultural similarities to Laos.
It is also an administrative hub in northeast Thailand and a regional logistics centre, with future high-speed and dual-track rail links expected to connect with the Laos-China Railway.
Those welcoming the group included Thailand’s ambassador to Laos, Krongkanit Rakcharoen; the governor of Khon Kaen, Kajornkiat Rakpanichmanee; and Asst Prof Dr Sirisak Laochankham, dean of COPA.
The embassy described the programme as a step towards stronger bilateral relations and a reaffirmation of Thailand’s role as a development partner for Laos.
It said the exchange also laid the foundation for broader academic cooperation, continued sharing of local-administration experience and sustainable long-term collaboration.
Source: Vientiane Times
