BANGKOK, Feb 10 — Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra on Thursday met Lao PDR Deputy Prime Minister/Minister of National Defence Lt Gen Douangchay Phichith, praising the close military relations between Thailand and Lao which she said helps build up border trade between the two nations.
Gen Douangchay, in Thailand to attend Thai-Lao Joint Border Commission (JBC) meeting, paid a courtesy call on Ms Yingluck at Government House.
During the discussion, he said the Thai and Lao armed forces have enjoyed good ties and cooperation and the Thai and Lao border was peaceful during the past 10 years, with no fighting, no conflict. The people’s of the two countries could exchange visits and border trade could operate smoothly.
In return, the Thai premier expressed her gratitude to Gen Douangchay who led the Lao delegates to participate in the Thai-Lao JBC meeting. She hoped that the meeting would achieve progress and further strengthen the good friendship between the two countries.
She also praised the strong ties between the two nations’ armed forces.
Ms Yingluck told Gen Douangchay that Thailand has encouraged more encounters between the leaders of the two counties at all levels, stressing that Thailand was willing to give full support to its neighbour as both are members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
Moreover, she extended an official invitation to the Lao prime minister to visit Thailand in the future.
In September last year Ms Yingluck paid an official visit to the Lao PDR, met her counterpart Tongsing Tammawong, and paid a courtesy call on President Lt-Gen Chummalee Xayasone.
