General Chansamone Chanyalath (right) meeting with General Chalermphon Srisawasdi in Vientiane. - Vientiane Times/Asia News Network
VIENTIANE (Vientiane Times/Asia News Network): Lao and Thai military forces plan to step up cooperation in border security, especially in relation to the crackdown on the drug trade and illegal immigration.
Closer cooperation in this area topped the agenda when the Chief of Defence Forces of the Royal Thai Armed Forces, General Chalermphon Srisawasdi, and his delegation visited Laos this week.
General Chalermphon met for talks with Laos’ Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence, General Chansamone Chanyalath.
The visit aimed to bolster cooperation between the armies of Laos and Thailand, and in particular to increase security along the Lao-Thai border through tighter controls on drug trafficking and the smuggling of goods.
General Chansamone warmly welcomed the visit and work in Laos done by General Chalermphon and his associates, saying this strengthened cooperation between the two armies in suppressing illegal activities and other issues that have the potential to instigate unrest.
The army chiefs also agreed to develop activities in agriculture and animal farming between the Lao and Thai armies, and at the same time carry out more reciprocal visits on the basis of mutual trust.
General Chansamone thanked the Thai government and people for providing medical assistance to Laos in response to the Covid-19 pandemic and also for assistance provided following the collapse of a dam at the Xe Pian-Xe Namnoy dam.
Thailand’s support in these matters had further strengthened ties between the two countries, he said.
In return, General Chalermphon thanked General Chansamone for his warm welcome and goodwill, as well as for his efforts to strengthen the relationship between the two armies.
