Laos and Thais celebrate New Year

BANGKOK, December 31 (TNA) – Lao and Thai people celebrated their New Year weekend on Friday, and on the occasion organised their fifth annual alms-giving activity for good luck. About 3,000 Lao and Thai people joined the service to give alms to 109 Buddhist monks in Phu Sang district of Thailand’s northern province of Phayao. Late into evening, a Lao-Thai cultural show was also observed by the crowd. Local authorities said they were glad that good relations between Laos and Thais in the area had continued for over a century. Border trade in the area opens from the 30th day to the 10th day monthly, during which time the border trade value is estimated at 4-5 million baht daily. (TNA)