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The Star
26-07-2025
- Politics
- The Star
'We are not involved in this': Laos denies reports on border clash with Cambodian forces
Cambodian villagers living near the border in Oddar Meanchey province flee their homes to seek refuge in Siem Reap province, Cambodia, July 25, 2025. -- Photo by Sao Khuth/Xinhua VIENTIANE (Xinhua): A source from the Lao People's Army told Xinhua on Saturday that reports of an exchange of fire between Lao forces and Cambodian armed personnel were untrue. The Lao People's Army News, the official publication of the Lao military, confirmed that no official reports had been received regarding the incident. Earlier in the day, some media outlets reported that the Lao military had issued an emergency notice claiming a fierce exchange of fire between Lao forces and Cambodian armed personnel who had allegedly crossed the border illegally. According to these reports, 10 individuals were arrested and weapons were seized, with a screenshot of the purported statement attached. However, upon verification, the screenshot was found to be from a statement issued on Friday by the Military Special Operations Force of Champasak province of Laos. The statement detailed that during clashes between Thai and Cambodian forces from July 24 to July 25, 10 artillery shells had landed on Laotian territory. The statement also noted that it was unclear which side had fired the shells. "The Laotian authority has not accused or launched an investigation into this case yet, but the Thai side has accused Cambodia," Cambodian defense ministry's undersecretary of state and spokesperson Lieutenant General Maly Socheata said in a press briefing. The Cambodian army "has launched counterattacks by focusing only on Thai military bases," she added. Socheata also refuted Thai media reports that Cambodia has threatened to use long-distance PHL03 missiles to strike Thailand. Thailand's Second Army Region on Saturday said in a social media post that the shells that landed on Laos during Thai-Cambodian border clashes, as reported by some media outlets, came from the Cambodian forces. The Thai side expressed its deep regret for the damage to the houses and properties of Lao people, yet after verification and coordination with the Lao side, it was confirmed that the shells did not come from the Thai army but were fired by Cambodian forces, the Thai army said. Thailand's Channel 7 earlier reported that it was said during the clashes between Thailand and Cambodia on Saturday morning, 10 artillery shells landed in Laos, damaging civilian houses. Relevant parties are investigating and verifying the source of the cross-border shells. - Xinhua
The Star
20-06-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Laos and Thailand join forces to curb drug trafficking
Commander of the Border Troops of the Lao People's Army, Major General Ounkham Sihongvongsak (right), and his Thai counterpart displaying signed Memorandums of Understanding on border security. - VT VIENTIANE: Top military and border security officials from Laos and Thailand have reaffirmed their commitment to joint efforts in combating drug trafficking and maintaining peace along theirshared border. The pledge came during the 6th Thai-Laos and Lao-Thai Summit held at the Savannakhet Provincial Government Office in Laos, co-chaired by the Commander of the Border Troops of the Lao People's Army, Major General Ounkham Sihongvongsak, and his Thai counterpart. The meeting was convened to discuss the implementation of activities in accordance with the regulations and the minutes of the previous meeting of the Working Group to prevent and resolve drug problems along the Lao-Thai border. Several important agreements were reached, aimed at ensuring that the border area remains peaceful, orderly, and free from drug-related issues. Cooperation at the central, local, and provincial levels has been strengthened to coordinate solutions and crack down on drug-related incidents. These efforts have led to significant successes, including the confiscation of large quantities of illegal drugs and the arrest of major traffickers. Such achievements reflect the deepening friendly relations and effective cooperation between the two nations and their respective armed forces, turning longstanding commitments into reality. The two sides agreed to formulate a more consistent and effective plan to combat the drug problem, with the goal of transforming the border area into one of peace, friendship, stability, and collaboration. This approach aligns with regional, sub-regional, and international trends and is expected to create an environment that is conducive to building communities that are free from drug abuse. Enhanced peace and stability in border areas will assist the citizens of both countries to earn a living, conduct business, engage in tourism, and travel in comfort and safety. The Lao-Thai border is largely demarcated by the Mekong River, which passes through nine provinces in Laos and borders 12 provinces in Thailand. Sustained cooperation is essential for addressing cross-border issues such as drug trafficking, illegal trade and other challenges, with the goal of reducing and ultimately eliminating them. At the close of the meeting, the co-chairing committees signed a Memorandum of Understanding on the reinforcement ofcooperation and sharing of information to address drug issues in the border area. Meanwhile, the Border Coordination Unit inKhammuan province and the Border Coordination Unit of Thailand's Nakhon Phanom province recently conducted the 3rd joint water patrol exercise at the 3rd Lao-Thai Friendship Bridge. This exercise aimed to ensure the two units were adequately prepared to crack down ondrug trafficking, other forms of smuggling, illegal border crossings, and other border crimes. - Vientiane Times/ANN
