March 3, 2008
VIENTIANE - Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej said the government would press ahead with energy and transport deals with neighbouring.
Samak delivered the message as he visited Vientiane, holding talks with his Laotian counterpart Buasone Bouphavanh at the start of his two-day trip, according to a statement from his office.
Thailand and Laos are studying proposals to build a new hydropower dam in southern Laos.
Samak also reaffirmed plans for Bangkok to contribute 1.4 billion baht (43.9 million dollars) to build a third bridge over the Mekong to link the neighbours and provide a shortcut from Thailand to Vietnam, according to AFP.
A fourth bridge in Chiang Rai province is under consideration.
The two leaders also discussed the ongoing effort to demarcate their 1,750-kilometre (1,100-mile) border to end decades of land disputes, and witnessed the deal signing for a Thai construction company to improve the airport in the southern Laos city of Pakse.
The handling of ethnic Hmong refugees was discussed as well.
One day before Samak's arrival, Thailand repatriated 11 ethnic Hmong migrants, who were among nearly 8,000 living at an informal refugee camp near the border.
Laos is pressing Thailand to return all the Hmong migrants, and denies allegations from rights groups that they would face persecution at home.
