Thai King and Queen to pay state visit to Laos

[Coss]

Their Majesties Maha Vajiralongkorn and Suthida Bajrasudhabimalalakshana will pay a state visit to Laos from March 16-18 at the invitation of President Thongloun Sisoulith.

According to a statement issued by Laos’ Ministry of Foreign Affairs last Thursday, the visit aims to deepen the longstanding friendship and cooperation between Laos and Thailand.

etc  LINK

[Old Hippie]

First time in what 35 years? Wonder what took so long? What changed?

[Coss]

Whilst I have no answer to the specifics of your question, as it relates to the situation in Laos, I can offer my opinion:

I've said before, that the Lao old guard, clutching their rifles and sending their sons to  private schools in the USA and elsewhere, will eventually die out and their sons, by virtue of their birth, will assume power. 

The unintended consequences, will be folk with a western and (speaks quietly) non communist view of the world. Whilst the sons in power, will work within the communist framework, they'll inevitably open up the country to modern ways. A visit by the Thai King is therefore a good thing.

What's going through Lurch's mind is open to conjecture.

[bust]

Cheers