Thai Parliament Chief Visits Vietnam, Deepens Drug-Fight Cooperation
Thailand's Parliament Speaker visited Hanoi to study Vietnam's drug rehabilitation programs, seeking to strengthen bilateral cooperation on drug prevention as the nations mark 50 years of diplomatic relations. The delegation explored Vietna
On August 7, 2026, Parliament Speaker and House President Sophon Saram led a Thai parliamentary delegation, accompanied by Ambassador Urawadee Sripirm at Bangkok's embassy in Hanoi, to study drug prevention and treatment programs at Hanoi's Drug Rehabilitation and Recovery Center in Hien Bay district. Senior Colonel Nguyen Duc Long, deputy commander of Hanoi police, received the group and briefed them on the city's drug situation and rehabilitation approach.
Sophon said the visit marks 50 years of Thai-Vietnamese diplomatic relations and aims to exchange knowledge and best practices on security, especially drug prevention and control—issues affecting public quality of life and national security. He expressed interest in Vietnam's rehabilitation system to identify suitable models for developing Thai policy and law. Vietnam's delegation noted that drug users are patients requiring treatment, with the state funding medical, psychological, and vocational rehabilitation lasting about two years for first-time users. Drug dealers and smugglers face criminal penalties up to capital punishment, with Hanoi aiming to become drug-free by 2030.
Sophon acknowledged Thailand's ongoing challenges with drug abuse among youth and disagreement over the legal status of drug users, noting Vietnam's experience in both rehabilitation and law enforcement would benefit Thai policymaking. He confirmed Thailand's parliament is ready to advance drug laws and international cooperation mechanisms, intercept cross-border trafficking, and protect youth from drug threats. Sophon then paid respects to Vietnamese Communist Party General Secretary and President To Lam, discussing expanded cooperation across economics, trade, investment, tourism, and people-to-people relations, including the Thai-Vietnamese communities in Thailand's northeastern region. Sophon praised growing tourism and investment between the nations and pledged parliamentary support for Vietnamese business investment in Thailand while working to remove legal obstacles for both countries' entrepreneurs.
