Thailand, Laos Discuss Border Issues

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Thailand, Laos discuss border issues

LUANG PRABANG: -- Thai Interior Minister Air Chief Marshal Kongsak Wanthana visited neighbouring Laos Thursday for talks on a variety of border issues, excluding bird flu outbreaks across the two countries shared Mekong River border.

The minister and high-ranking ministerial officials arrived in Luang Prabang, the former Royal Capital of the Lao People's Democratic Republic (Lao PDR), to meet with governors of both Thai and Lao border provinces, set for August 24 and 25.

Marshal Kongsak said that the discussion would mainly focus on maintaining order along the border, anti-drug co-operation, and problems in relation to individuals with dual citizenship.

The subject of bird flu was specifically not on the agenda at the meeting, since the bird flu outbreaks across the border are now under control as a result of close joint cooperations between the two neighbours in finding both short-term and long-term solutions to the problem, he said.

In addition, the minister said that the Thai delegates will not discuss issues connected with Thailand's current political complications and that he believed Vientiane will not raise such questions.

--TNA 2006-08-25