Laos–Philippines relations refers to the

bilateral relations Bilateralism is the conduct of political, economic, or cultural relations between two sovereign states. It is in contrast to unilateralism or multilateralism, which is activity by a single state or jointly by multiple states, respectively. When ...

between

Laos Laos (, ''Lāo'' )), officially the Lao People's Democratic Republic ( Lao: ສາທາລະນະລັດ ປະຊາທິປະໄຕ ປະຊາຊົນລາວ, French: République démocratique populaire lao), is a socialist ...

and the Philippines. Laos has an embassy in Manila while the Philippines has an embassy in Vientiane.

History

Laos-Philippines relations began even before the colonial era imposed French rule in Laos and Spanish rule in the Philippines. The Jade trade brought Philippine-made Jade to Indochina as early 2000 B.C. During the Burmese–Siamese War (1547–1549), Filipinos were employed as mercenaries all across Indochina (which includes Laos). While in the Spanish period of the Philippines, there was a historical incident when the Spanish and Filipinos assisted the exiled Christian Cambodian King, Satha II, who was given asylum in Laos, was restored to the Khmer throne, through the help of Laos. Formal relations between Laos and the Philippines were officially established on 14 January 1955. Relations between the two countries were said to have started during the early period of the Vietnam War. Operation Brotherhood, a joint international venture by Jaycees International, sent 50 volunteer Filipino doctors, agriculturists, and nutritionists to Laos and Vietnam from 1957 to 1964.

High level visits

Rodrigo Duterte and Laotian President Bounnhang Vorachith

Lao Prime Ministers

Bounnhang Vorachith Bounnhang Vorachit ( lo, ບຸນຍັງ ວໍລະຈິດ; born 15 August 1938) is a Laotian politician. He was previously General Secretary of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party and President of Laos from 2016 to 2021. Early life Bou ...

, Bouasone Bouphavanh and Thongsing Thammavong made state visits to the Philippines in 2002, June 2007 and May 2012 respectively. Philippine President

Fidel V. Ramos Fidel Valdez Ramos (, ; March 18, 1928 – July 31, 2022), popularly known as FVR and Eddie Ramos, was a Filipino general and politician who served as the 12th president of the Philippines from 1992 to 1998. He was the only career military ...

visited Laos in October 1997. President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo visited Laos in November 2004 for the ASEAN summit and President Benigno Aquino III visited Laos in November 2012 for the Asia-Europe Meeting Summit. President

Rodrigo Duterte Rodrigo Roa Duterte (, ; born March 28, 1945), also known as Digong, Rody, and by the initials DU30 and PRRD, is a Filipino lawyer and politician who served as the 16th president of the Philippines from 2016 to 2022. He is the chairperson ...

visited Laos in September 2016, his first international trip as president, to attend the 48th and 49th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summits and the

Eleventh East Asia Summit The Eleventh East Asia Summit was held in Vientiane, Laos on September 6–8, 2016. The East Asia Summit is an annual meeting of national leaders from the East Asian region and adjoining countries. Attending delegations The heads of state and ...

Filipinos in Laos

There are about 730 Filipinos in Laos as of 2013, mostly working as professionals as teachers, nurses, engineers, hotel employees and consultants. Filipinos are often offered lower fares on riding tuktuks compared to other foreigners.

References

External links

*
Philippine Embassy in Vientianne
{{DEFAULTSORT:Laos-Philippines relations Philippines Bilateral relations of the Philippines