BANGKOK - THAI Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat will pay a one-day official visit to neighbouring Laos on Monday after weeks of delays because of political upheaval at home, an official statement said on Saturday.
Mr Somchai will leave for the Laos capital Vientiane early on Monday from Bangkok's military base, the statement on the government's website said.
He will be greeted by his counterpart Bouasone Bouphavanh for bilateral talks before later visiting President Choumaly Sayasone.
It is traditional for Thai heads of state to visit neighbouring nations on taking office.
But Mr Somchai cancelled a trip to Laos and Cambodia last month after deadly clashes between anti0government protesters and police on Oct 7 left two dead and nearly 500 injured.
Mr Somchai's six-week-long premiership has been dogged by ongoing protest rallies by the People's Alliance for Democracy who accuse the government of acting on behalf of ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra - Mr Somchai's brother-in-law - who they accuse of corruption and nepotism. -- AFP
I wonder how Somchai and Bousone will communicate. will they have a " Lam " to translate the lao to somchai and Thai to Bousone. what do you guy think?
I wonder how Somchai and Bousone will communicate. will they have a " Lam " to translate the lao to somchai and Thai to Bousone. what do you guy think?
that would be stupid if they needed a translater jus tell that thai guy to stop pretendint he doesnt understand thai. if not then "somchai" ai bo dai "sonchai"
I wonder how Somchai and Bousone will communicate. will they have a " Lam " to translate the lao to somchai and Thai to Bousone. what do you guy think?
that would be stupid if they needed a translater jus tell that thai guy to stop pretendint he doesnt understand thai. if not then "somchai" ai bo dai "sonchai"
Thai they seems have friendly and natural conversation, No need " Lam"
PM heads to Laos for first official visit 7 hours ago
BANGKOK (AFP) — Thai Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat headed to Laos for his first official visit on Monday, where he said he intended to strengthen existing ties with one of the kingdom's key regional allies.
"The visit to Laos is to introduce myself, as Thailand has a new government. We will reaffirm to Laos that we maintain the same policies," Somchai told reporters shortly before leaving Bangkok for Vientiane on Monday morning.
Somchai, who became Thailand's premier in September, said he may discuss the ethnic minority Lao Hmong migrants -- long a thorn in the side of relations between the neighbours -- with his Laotian counterparts.
"It depends on whether this topic is brought up (by Laos)," he said.
Thousands of Lao Hmong live in a detention camp in Thailand. They are requesting political asylum in third countries, saying they fear persecution because many Hmong once fought alongside US forces during the Vietnam war.
Thailand, however, claims they are economic migrants seeking work, and has been slowly shipping the Hmong back to Laos, to the horror of human rights groups who say that some may genuinely be in danger of persecution.
During his one-day visit, Somchai is due to meet his counterpart Bouasone Bouphavanh and President Choummaly Sayasone.
Thailand has lately been cultivating Laos as a key regional ally, with the the energy-hungry nation buying increasing amounts of electricity from their communist neighbour to the north.
Somchai, who became premier after his predecessor Samak Sundaravej was forced out of office for hosting TV cooking shows, will return to Thailand later Monday.
Did they talk about Somchai's scandal of cheating his wife 2 years ago during this visit? The video clip (from above comment) just revealed to public last week.
When Alexandra refused to speak Thai language, Somchai has the right to deny to speak Lao. I wonder when the most important leaders come from Vietname and China country to visit Lao what languageLao people prefer for our goverment to communicate with them? Is it Laotian or Thai ? I'm guaranteed 100% my fellows. Definitely, it will not be either Viet. or Chin.
Did they talk about Somchai's scandal of cheating his wife 2 years ago during this visit? The video clip (from above comment) just revealed to public last week.
Does it matter what a person does in their personal life? Are you one to tell them what they can and can't do?
When Alexandra refused to speak Thai language, Somchai has the right to deny to speak Lao. I wonder when the most important leaders come from Vietname and China country to visit Lao what languageLao people prefer for our goverment to communicate with them? Is it Laotian or Thai ? I'm guaranteed 100% my fellows. Definitely, it will not be either Viet. or Chin.
The President of the People's Rebulic of china, Hu jing tao, the PM WenJiabao visited Laos ,chinese government has their translator whom speak Lao perfectly .
How come Alexandra did have translator with her? I beleive Thai people have difficult time to understand Lao language, too. Why Viet. and Chin. have to be special? Everybody should treat equally. Am I right?
yes i see it, but if they no have translater. it will be ok for mr choumaly xay yasone . bc he understand very good chiness . he finish his school in china when he was young. but for the pride of lao, or offical meeting he need it. but in personnal talk he no need it.
Thai they seems have friendly and natural conversation, No need " Lam"
