Thai army chief visits Laos

BANGKOK, May 20 (TNA) - Thai Army Chief General Udomdej Sitabutr is paying a two-day visit to Lao People's Democratic Republic, scheduled for May 20-21, aimed to introduce himself after having taking the new post since last October and to strengthen long-standing relations between the two neighboring countries. Accompanied by his entourage, General Udomdej, who is also Thai Deputy Defence Minister, left Bangkok for Vientiane, Lao PDR's capital, on Wednesday morning. General Udomdej told journalists prior to his departure that he is scheduled to meet Brigadier General Khamlieng Utakaison, Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the Lao Armed Forces under the Ministry of National Defense, after his arrival in Vientiane. According to the Thai army chief, his discussion with the Lao side was set to include cooperation between the two countries’ armies, covering maintaining security along the common border and joint implementing of border development projects namely those on strengthening 17 villages along the common border to be free from illegality and promoting reforestation in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), in which both countries are member states. The Thai army chief said his talks with the Lao side would also include joint cooperation on anti drug trafficking and all other forms of cross-border crime. (TNA)