Thai-Lao meet to mull border links

Thai-Lao meet to mull border links

Thailand and Laos will hold talks over cross-border railway links and the introduction of a single visa during a joint cabinet meeting in Chiang Mai next month.

The meeting will take place on May 19 on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Water Summit.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul and his Lao counterpart Thongloun Sisulit agreed on the arrangements at the 18th Thai-Lao Joint Commission meeting in Prachuap Khiri Khan yesterday.

Mr Surapong said the joint cabinet meeting would be an unofficial one and only related ministers from both countries will attend.

It would be the second Thai-Lao cabinet meeting after the first one was held eight years ago.

Ministers from both countries would discuss cross-border transport of goods, a railway linkage from Thailand via Laos to China, and the introduction of a single visa.

Thailand was ready to develop the railway and would like Laos to hold talks about the issue with China, the minister said.

Border demarcation between the nations is now 93% complete, and will be discussed by senior officials early next month before going to the Joint Boundary Committee meeting in August, Mr Surapong said.

Mr Thongloun said the border problem was a sensitive issue which must be handled carefully.

"It might take time to tackle because the land and water borders are quite long, but I believe the negotiations will come out in a good way," Mr Thongloun said.

Mr Surapong said the countries are planning to upgrade the two temporary border checkpoints at Ban Phudu in Uttaradit province and Ban Huay in Phu Sang district of Phayao province to permanent checkpoints while the process of crossing the border will also be relaxed.

He said Laos is encouraging Thais to invest in the country. Thai investment currently ranks third in Laos after China and Vietnam's.

~News courtesy of Bangkok Post~