Agricultural, tourism agreements reached by Laos, Thailand

BANGKOK, May 19 (TNA) - Thailand and Lao PDR agreed to boost cooperation during their 2nd Joint Cabinet Retreat in the northern Thai capital of Chiang Mai on Sunday. Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra and her Lao counterpart Thongsing Thammavong signed several agreements, including on administration and maintenance of the fourth Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge, which was due to open next month. Miss Yingluck told a joint press conference that Thailand and Laos also agreed to boost border cooperation, especially on the suppression of narcotics and human trafficking. Other key agreements cover plans to construct high-speed train routes running through Thailand, Lao PDR and China, as well as the bilateral single-visa scheme for travellers. (TNA)