April 5, 2026, at 1700hrs, at the Embassy of the Lao People's Democratic Republic, Bangkok, Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Anutin Charnvirakul attended the 2026 Pi Mai Lao (Lao New Year) Songkran merit-making event. He was welcomed by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Lao PDR Thongsavanh Phommavihan and spouse, Mrs. Vadsana Phommavihan, as well as Mr. Sisavath Inpachanh, Ambassador of the Lao PDR to Thailand.

The Prime Minister presented a floral vase to the Ambassador of the Lao PDR as a gesture of congratulations before joining the Basi Su Kwan, an important Lao traditional rite performed to call back the spirit. The rite includes anointing, making of consecrated water, and the tying of sacred threads for auspiciousness.

The Prime Minister, later, attended the Lao New Year banquet held on the lawn in front of the Embassy. The Ambassador of the Lao PDR delivered welcoming remarks, while the Lao Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs offered blessings and commended the close ties between the two nations. The Prime Minister also watched 8 cultural performances, all reflecting the uniqueness and beauty of Lao culture. The event took place in a warm and friendly atmosphere, with the participation of distinguished guests from the Government, the private sector, the diplomatic corps, and stakeholders in Thai–Lao cooperation. The Prime Minister also joined in the Lao New Year traditional dance (Ram Wong) before the Lao Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs presented a bouquet of flowers to the performers and invited the Prime Minister onto the stage for a commemorative photo with distinguished guests.

The Lao New Year banquet was attended by approximately 500 participants. The event reflected close relations between Thailand and Lao PDR in both cultural, social, and economic dimensions.