Lao, Thai media to further collaboration

Delegations of the Lao and Thai journalists' associations met in Vientiane yesterday, agreeing to continue their cooperation to promote friendly and neighbourly relations between Laos and Thailand .The agreement was spelt out in a memorandum of understanding signed after a meeting at the Lao Journalists' Association office by Deputy Minister of Information and Culture

and President of the Lao Journalists' Association Professor Dr Bosengkham Vongdara and President of the Thai Journalists' Association Ms Nattaya Chetchotiros.

The two associations will encourage media personnel in their respective countries to further promote mutual understanding

and appreciation among the people of the two nations about achievements in social and economic development in each other's country.

Delegates from the two parties had met to discuss and review previous cooperation efforts, Dr Bosengkham told the media.

He said the associations would continue to work on the implementation of various schemes, particularly the completion of a draft Lao-Thai media book by the end of this year.

The two sides also agreed to continue cooperation efforts through the exchange of visits between media delegates from the two countries, Dr Bosengkham said.

“We will also exchange views on international issues of mutual interest and help journalists in both countries to improve their skills and provide quality news coverage.”

“This meeting and agreement have been very productive and will strengthen future bilateral efforts,” he added.

The two associations had worked closely together over the past 22 years and the forthcoming Lao-Thai media book reflected the understanding, cooperation and friendship between the two groups, Ms Nattaya said.

She encouraged the Lao Journalists' Association to send Lao journalists to Thailand to receive training and improve their skills.

Ms Nattaya and eight other delegates from the Thai Journalists'Association are visiting Laos as part of the associations' annual exchange visit programme. They will travel to Khammuan province to see the Nam Theun 2 hydropower construction site, and then visit Champassak province where they will tour coffee plantations.

The Lao Journalists' Association, established in 1968, functions as an umbrella organisation bringing together editors, journalists, producers, cameramen and TV and radio technicians to share their professional experience. It also organises training and development programmes for both editorial and technical personnel working in print and electronic media.

By Vientiane Times
(Latest Update May 14, 2008)