DELEGATION RETURNS FROM LAOS, REPORTS ON TALKS

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP08C01297R000300060001-4
• Release Decision: RIFPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: December 22, 2016
• Document Release Date: September 14, 2012
• Sequence Number: 1
• Publication Date: January 27, 1978
• Content Type: REPORT

Declassified and Approved For Release 2012/09/14: CIA-RDP08001297R000300060001-4
IV, 27 Jan 78
v
THAILAND 31
DELEGATION RETURNS FROM LAOS, REPORTS ON TALKS
BK271007Y Bangkok Domestic Service in Thai 0000 GMT 27 Jan 78 BK
[Text] The Thai delegation headed by Deputy Foreign. Minister Wong Phonnikon, which was
sent to Laos on 25 January to hand over salt and rice to the Lao Government, returned to
Thailand yesterday. Wong Phonniken is now in Nong Khai Province to inspect the general
situation along the border, While the other members of the delegation--Interior Under
Secretary of State Winyu Angkhanarak; Director General of the Department of Technical
and Economic Cooperation Chuchat Pramunphon; Director General of the Political Department
Owat Sutthiwatnaruphut; Director General of the Economic Department Chuai Kannawat
? Kannawat;. Director General of the InformationDepartment Wichian Watthanakun and the
governor of Tong Khai Province, Chamman Photchana--returned to Bangkok yesterday. A
The director general of the Information Department told newsmen at Bangkok airport that
the Lao Government had warmly welcomed the delegation. The delegation was greeted at
Tha Deua ferry landing by Khamphai Boupha, LPDR deputy foreign minister, Lao senior
officials and the Thai ambassador to Vientiane. The Thai delegation met and exchanged
views with its Lao counterpart headed by Khamphai Boupha at the LPDR Foreign Ministry in
Vientiane. The two delegations discussed ways to improve relations and cooperation
between the :two countries.
According to the director general of the Information Department, the presentation Of
rice and salt to the Lao Government was held at .the office of the Lao National Planning
Committee. Im.the afternoon,.the Thai deputy foreign_ minister and party paid a courtesy
call on Phoun Sipaseut, LPDR ? vice premier and minister of foreign affairs and exchanged,.
views with him on.many. istues,?such as trade between the two countries. The Thai
delegation thanked the. Lao Government for the release of Thai prisoners, which demonstrates
'its friendly.attitude.toWard-Thailand....-In-the evening,. the Thai ambassador hosted.a . .
reception?forthe delegation atthe,Thai Embassy in Vientiane. Many senior Lao officials
also attended the reception.
Wichian further disclosed that on the morning of 26 January, prior to its departure, the
Thai delegation also paid a courtesy call on Vice Premier Nouhak Phoumsavan. Wichian
said that the 'two Lao vice premiers asked the delegation to convey their best wishes to
the Thai prime- minister.
The delegation's visit to Laos has helped to create a friendly atmosphere between the two
countries, Wichian said, adding that the authorities of both countries will further
cooperate on solving border problems.
Meanwhile, Channam Photchana, governor of Tong Khai Province, told newsmen that the
delegation's trip to Laos has improved relations between the two countries and enabled
both countries to better understand existing bilateral problems. He said both sides
had also considered border issues such as fishery and cultivation on the islands in the
Mekong River, The Lao delegation accepted these issues for further consideration.
The Thai delegation explained the necessity of having the Mekong River operation unit's
boats, which are used to maintain peace and order along the river. The Lao authorities
were informed that the purpose of the Mekong River, operation unit is not to launch
aggression against Laos. On the contrary, this unit can help people along the river in
case of accident.
The Lao delegation proposed that five additional border passes be opened, two in Chaing
Rai Province and one each iA Si Chiang Mai district, Nakhon Phanom Province and Phibun
Mangsahan district. The Thai Government will consider this Lao proposal.
Declassified and Approved For Release 2012/09/14: CIA-RDP08001297R000300060001-4
Declassified and Approved For Release 2012/09/14: CIA-RDP08001297R000300060001-4
LL
Iv. 27 Jan 78 J 2 1A\ THAILAND
In making the
border passes is not enough to facilitate contacts between the people of the two
countries.
proposal, the Lao delegation pointed out that the opening of the present
The Thai delegation also asked the Lao side to conduct a survey on the number and where-
abouts of Thai nationals ,in Laos. The governor said that it is believed that there are
still about 100 Thai in that country. So far, the Lao authorities have already.released
45 Thai citizens, but there are over 20 Thai still being detained at Samkhe Prison in
Laos.
Chamnan Photchana also disclosed that only 860 people have fled from Laos to his province
since 15 November 1976, Some 600 of whom are Meo hilltribesmen. These new refugees will
be sent later to the refugee center in Nakhon Phanom. There were about 23,600 refugees
in his province prior to 15 November 1976.
Further on Border Openings
BK270205Y Bangkok NATION REVIEW in English 27 Jan 78 pp 1, 3 BK
[Text] Laos-hassought Thai1andJs7-agreement to-reopen five border points and the with-
drawal of the Mekong patrol units in the border river, Nong Khai Governor Chamnam
Photchana reported yesterday. Thailand in return asked Lao authorities to provide full
.details about Thais held prisoners in Laos. Laos also proposed that a joint-working
group should be formed between Thailand and Laos to thrash out specific problems affecting
the relationship between the two countries.
These were the crux of the discussions held between a Thai delegation led by Deputy
Foreign Minister Wong Phonnikon and high-ranking Laotian officials during a 2-day visit
to Vientiane which ended yesterday afternoon.
Governor Chamnan, a member of the Thai team said he explained to Lao officials that the
presence of the Thai Mekong River patrol force is no threat to Laos. it is our
own way of protecting our people, our fishermen and our vessels," he said. The question
was raised with Governor Chamnam by Lao Foreign Affairs Under Secretary of State Souban
Sitthilat. "He listened to our reasoning but was still inclined on asking us to pull out
our river patrol unit," the governor said.
Mr Chamnan said Lao authorities, during the discussions, asked Thailand to reopen five
border points. "TheTwant"two points tobe reopened first: ,Amphoe Mae Sai of Chiang
Rai and Pakse, opposite our Amphoe Phibunmangbahan of Ubon. Three other points they
mentioned are Chiang Khan in Loei directly opposite their Sayaboury, Thakhek which is
opposite'ourrNakhon=Phanom and Amphoe Si Chiang Mai in Tong Khai," the governor reported.
-He said at present border points which are open are at Amphoe Muang of -Tong Khai and -
_ .
Amphoe Mukdahan of Nakhon Phanom.
In his opinion, the governor believes that there are both merits and demerits in complying
with the request from Laos. "If we reopen more border points, it would be easier to
control smuggling. But on the other hand, we should have to be more vigilant once
new border points are open otherwise our security may be affected," he said.
The governor said the Thai officials asked their Lao counterparts during the talks to check
into the exact number of Thais being held in Laos. "We want to know excactly where they
are being held and whether they are sick or not. We also asked them to check whether
any Thai prisoners had died. The Lao authorities promised to speed up the trials
against the Thais, he said. The governor said there are about 200 Thais being held in
Laos, of which 45 have been released.
Declassified and Approved For Release 2012/09/14: CIA-RDP08001297R000300060001-4