Lao border may turn political

The border problems between Thailand and Laos might have to be resolved through political decisions if legal negotiations fail, Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya says. The issue will be raised at the 16th Thai-Lao Joint Commission (JC) in Bangkok next month, among other matters of mutual cooperation.

Mr Kasit yesterday said the two countries will discuss whether they will use political means to seek solutions to the border problems if legal negotiations hit an impasse.

The JC meeting is scheduled to be held from Oct 14-15.

The countries may make decisions on political grounds in order to show they trust each other and those decisions will be based on ''give-and-take'', said the minister who visited Laos on Monday and Tuesday. ''We have to be prepared and the Foreign Ministry must be able to explain to the Thai public that this [agreement] will not cause us to lose our territory, but it is a principle aimed at seeking a solution, which many countries do,'' Mr Kasit said.

Thailand and Laos share 702 kilo metres of border. Except for a few disputed areas, 96% of the border has been demarcated. Among the spots still under dispute is Ban Romklao in Phitsanulok's Chat Trakarn district opposite Sayaboury in Laos. Thai and Lao soldiers fought a bloody battle there in 1987 to lay claim to the disputed area.

Other overlapping areas include three border villages between Uttaradit province and Sayaboury province, the border stretching from an area near Chong Mek in Ubon Ratchathani, and Phu Chi Fa, Doi Phatang, in Chiang Rai. In addition, Bangkok and Vientiane plan to hold a second JC meeting to mark the 60th anniversary of the countries establishing diplomatic ties, which falls on Dec 19 this year.

Mr Kasit reassured Lao Vice President Bounyoung Vorachit and Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Thounloun Sisoulit of Thailand's political stability during his visit. He said the Thai government has adhered to legal and judicial principles in dealing with political problems over the past few years and these will continue to be upheld.

Mr Bounyoung told Mr Kasit that his government wishes to see political stability in Thailand so both countries can continue working together in many different areas. He compared the political conflict in Thailand to that in a family. ''People may have different opinions. In the end, they are members of the same family and need to help each other,'' said Mr Bounyoung. He has also invited Thai investors to cooperate with Lao businessmen. During Mr Kasit's visit an agreement was reached to set up a Thai-Lao business forum to tackle conflicts between investors of the two countries.

Sourced=bangkokpost.com