On 27 March 2023, Ambassador Morakot Sriswasdi paid a courtesy call on H.E. Mr. Vanhxay Phongsavanh, the Governor of Khammouane Province on the occasion of her assumption of duty, accompanied by Thai delegates including Ms. Thitiya Panmanee, Consul of the Royal Thai Consulate-General in Savannakhet and officials from the Royal Thai Embassy. Both sides appreciated the fruitful and friendly relations between Thailand and Lao PDR, especially, frequent exchange of visits between Nakhon Phanom and Khammoune, and discussed cooperations in fields of public health, education, trade and investment. Ambassador shared her views that transparency and trade facilitation are key elements to attract more foreign investment to Lao PDR. In the discussion, Ambassador also expressed serious concerns towards deforestation as well as the slash-and-burn practice for cassava cultivation, which has destroyed ecosystem, created detrimental effect on properties of soil, and increased air pollution, particularly, PM 2.5. This continuing practice not only affects climate change, but also directly impacts health of people in surrounding areas, and, in long term, would have adverse consequences on agricultural land used for farming.