Thai PM denies Laos rift

Thai PM denies Laos rift

BANGKOK (AFP): Thai Prime Minister Chuan Leekpai played down on Monday reports of a rift between Thailand and Laos over the handling of border clashes between Lao troops and anti-government rebels.

Chuan said the two countries had formed a committee to discuss last week's deadly gun battle between Lao troops and a band of dozens of rebels, and how they could cooperate to halt the trouble. "There is no problem between the two countries" he said.

Commentators and newspaper editorials here have urged Thailand and Laos to work together on the border violence issue and to stop bickering and apportioning blame.

The Laotian authorities last week lashed out at the Thai media over coverage of the rebel attack on government buildings near the border, accusing them of being in cahoots with the "terrorists".