Thailand And Laos To Open More Border Checkpoints

[george]

Thailand and Laos to open more border checkpoints

PATTAYA: -- Thailand and Laos have agreed to step up co-operation along their frontier, including the opening of five more border checkpoints in Amnat Charoen, Nong Khai and Ubon Ratchathani provinces.

The accord came during a meeting here of provincial governors from both countries hosted by the Thai Interior Ministry. More than 80 Thai officials and 56 of their counterparts from Laos were taking part in the gathering.

On the sidelines of the meeting, Thailand's Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Chidchai Vanasatidya held talks with his Laotian counterpart Thongban Saeng-apon.

Police General Chidchai told journalists that he had given assurances that Thailand would not allow anti-Vientiane elements to stage hostile acts from bases on Thai soil.

Among other border security issues discussed at the Pattaya meeting were joint efforts to combat narcotics trafficking and illegal immigration through intelligence exchanges.

Mr. Thongban said he had asked officials from both sides to ensure the implementation, what was agreed at the meeting, while urging Thailand to keep watch on what he termed “bad people” bent on destabilising Laos.

The two countries have agreed to discuss further the issue of people with dual nationalities – a group seen as a threat by Laos.

Thailand and Laos have also agreed to work more closely in future on preventing river bank erosion along the Mekong River.

--TNA 2005-05-12

[custard]

OK that will make it easier for me to go buy a case of Beer Lao

[george]

More Lao border crossings

PATTAYA: -- Bangkok and Vientiane have agreed to set up five temporary border crossings to facilitate trade and transportation links.

The proposed border crossings are part of a 10-point cooperation agreement signed by Interior Minister Chidchai Wannasathit and his Lao counterpart Thongban Saengaphon during a meeting yesterday in Pattaya. Pol Gen Chidchai said crossings will be set up at Ban Nad Tha in Nakhon Phanom, Ban Khan Thai Kwian in Ubon Ratchathani, Ban Huay Khad and Ban Chumpol in Nong Khai and Ban Huay Luek in Chiang Rai. He said Laos has also agreed in principle to upgrade two border passes as permanent crossings _ Ban Pang Mon pass in Sayaboury's Muang Kop opposite Phayao and Phou Dou pass in Sayaboury's Pak Lay opposite Uttaradit.

Pol Gen Chidchai said the upgrading of Phou Dou pass must wait until border demarcation in the area is settled.

The 10-point cooperation agreement also includes speeding up of border demarcation, exchange of suspected criminal lists, fighting riverbank erosion along the Mekong and Hueng rivers and promoting trade, tourist and public health at the local levels.

--Bangkok Post 2005-05-14