Hillary Clinton has arrived in Laos. She is the first US Secretary of State to visit the country in 57 years. She is expected to discuss plans to build the controversial Mekong river dam, which critics say, would impact the environment and millions of lives. The effects of Agent Orange, a defoliant used during the Vietnam war, are also likely to be on the agenda. Mrs Clinton, who arrives in Vientiane from Vietnam, will then head to Cambodia for an Asean meeting.
The last top US diplomat to visit Laos was John Foster Dulles in 1955. The 3.8 billion dollars hydro-electric dam project at Xayaburi, has caused tension among Mekong region countries - Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia and Thailand. In April, a multi-billion dollar contract was signed for a Thai company, CH Karnchang, to build the dam. The Lao government has pledged not to go ahead with the project until environmental issues have been resolved.

A U.S. man sentenced to 30 months in a Thai prison for insulting the king has been freed by a royal pardon. Joe Gordon was convicted in December for translating parts of a locally banned biography about King Bhumibol Adulyadej. U.S. Embassy spokesperson Walter Braunohler said he does not know the reason for Gordon's release, but said he was pleased with the news. He said they urge Thai authorities on a regular basis here in Bangkok and also in Washington to ensure that freedom of expression is protected in accordance with international obligations. Under Thailand's laws, anyone convicted of insulting the monarchy faces up to 15 years in prison.

Thailand has assured that it will give its fullest support to develop agriculture, fisheries and educational sectors of Sri Lanka. The assurance was given by the Thai Prime Minister Mrs. Yingluck Shinawatra during a meeting with the Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa , who is currently on a four day state visit to Thailand.

The Thai Premier while reminding about the long standing historical and Buddhist relationship between the two countries has said that both countries should work jointly on Buddhist and Cultural activities.

Myanmar today held its highest level peace talks so far with rebels from war-torn Karen state following a tentative ceasefire agreement inked earlier this year. Delegates from the political and armed wings of the Karen National Union, KNU, met government officials as part of discussions marking the latest efforts aimed at ending one of the world's longest-running civil conflicts. Immigration Minister Khin Yi told reporters yesterday that preliminary negotiations in Hpa-an, capital of Karen in the east of Myanmar, had covered codes of conduct for troops on both sides. Myanmar considers the KNU, whose leadership is based in Thailand, to be an illegal organisation.