Thai PM proclaims visit to Laos successful

VIENTIANE, LAOS, November 27 (TNA) - Thai Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-ocha has proclaimed his two-day official visit to Laos a success, as both Bangkok and Vientiane have agreed to forge aghead bilateral ties and cooperation in various areas. Before leaving Vientiane for Hanoi, ending his official visit to Laos from November 26-27, Prime Minister General Prayut told journalists that, among the agreements, Thailand and Laos plan the construction of the 5th and the 6th Thai-Lao Friendship Bridges across the Mekong River. Prime Minister General Prayut, who is also Chief of the Thai army-led National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO), revealed that the 5th bridge will link Bung Kan Province in the Thai Northeast with Pakxan in Laos, while the 6th will link Ubon Ratchathani Province, also in the Thai Northeast, with Salavan in Laos. According to the Thai prime minister, Thailand will finance the construction of the 5th Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge and will cooperate on conducting a feasibility study of the planned construction of the 6th bridge. The prime minister said that Thailand has also agreed to develop another special economic zone in Nong Khai Province in the Thai Northeast, bordering Laos, in addition to that in adjacent Mukdahan Province, and to open more permanent border passes to support growing border trade with Laos. The Thai premier acknowledged that he also discussed with Lao authorities a railway connection from Thailand through Laos to China. The Thai premier noted during his meeting with Lao President Choummaly Sayasone, he agreed with the Lao president that both Bangkok and Vientiane forget past conflicts but moving forward bilateral ties and cooperation. The Thai prime minister also said, while meeting with Thai business operators in Laos, he asked them to help boost Thailand's business ties with Laos and other neighboring countries in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), promising that the Thai government will support them. The Thai leader is scheduled to pay a two-day official visit to Vietnam from November 27-28, his fourth trip to ASEAN neighbors, following his earlier visits to Myanmar, Cambodia and Laos to introduce himself and to strengthen relations with ASEAN neighbors after taking office in August 2014. (TNA)