Sophon Meets To Lam to Strengthen Strategic Partnership and Study Vietnam Drug Rehab
Thailand's Parliament President visits Vietnam to mark 50 years of diplomatic ties, meeting To Lam and touring Hanoi drug rehabilitation centers.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
- Thai Parliament President Sophon Sarum visited Vietnam on August 7, 2026, marking 50 years of diplomatic relations.
- The delegation toured Hanoi Rehabilitation Center No. 1, learning that first-time drug users undergo a 2-year treatment program as patients.
- Sophon met with To Lam, General Secretary of the Communist Party and President of Vietnam, to advance comprehensive cooperation.
- Both nations committed to boosting trade, investment, security, and anti-transnational crime efforts within ASEAN frameworks.
On August 7, 2026, Mr. Sophon Sarum, President of the National Assembly and House of Representatives of Thailand, accompanied by Thai Ambassador to Hanoi Urawadee Sriphiromya, led a parliamentary delegation to study drug prevention and suppression at Drug Rehabilitation Center No. 1 in Hien Bai Commune, Hanoi, Socialist Republic of Vietnam. Senior Colonel Nguyen Duc Long, Deputy Director of Hanoi City Police, welcomed the delegation and provided a briefing on local drug situations.
This official visit coincides with the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Thailand and Vietnam. Mr. Sophon stated that the primary objective is to exchange security best practices, particularly regarding anti-narcotics efforts that impact public welfare and national security. The Thai side expressed strong interest in Vietnam's drug rehabilitation model to study and adapt for future Thai policy and legislative frameworks.
Vietnamese officials explained that drug users are classified as patients requiring medical, psychological, and vocational rehabilitation funded by the state, with treatment lasting approximately two years for first-time offenders. Meanwhile, drug traffickers and smugglers face criminal charges carrying penalties of up to death. Furthermore, Hanoi aims to become a drug-free city by 2030, emphasizing robust cross-border international cooperation.
Mr. Sophon acknowledged that Thailand continues to face challenges regarding drug dissemination among youth and ongoing policy debates concerning the legal status of drug users. He noted that Vietnam's practical experiences in rehabilitation and law enforcement will serve as valuable references for Thailand as the parliament pushes for stricter cross-border enforcement and youth protection.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
The exchange between Thai and Vietnamese officials highlights a shared pursuit of balancing health-centric treatment for drug users with severe penalties for traffickers. This insight provides valuable context on how legislative bodies in Southeast Asia navigate contentious domestic drug policies while strengthening regional security collaboration.
Following the facility tour, Mr. Sophon paid a courtesy call on Mr. To Lam, General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam and President of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. Both leaders discussed advancing comprehensive strategic cooperation encompassing economy, trade, investment, tourism, and people-to-people ties, supported by the Thai-Vietnamese community residing in Thailand's Isan region.
"Vietnam regards Thailand as a key regional partner and stands ready to fully facilitate Thai investors."
Mr. To Lam
Mr. To Lam expressed gratitude for the warm hospitality extended by the Thai government and parliament during his official visit to Thailand last May, noting it as a vital milestone in bilateral relations. He expressed confidence that both countries will jointly uphold regional peace and ASEAN solidarity, while previewing upcoming high-level visits to further tighten bilateral bonds.
Source: Khaosod Politics
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