(Bangkokpost.com from Agencies)
Two Americans of Lao origin were shot dead execution-style in Thailand while returning from their homeland, police said Thursday.
Soukanh Visathep, 65, a former Lao government police officer, and Somvang Keomanyvong, 61, a former army officer, were shot and killed by a lone gunman as they arrived by bus at a northeastern Thai-Lao border crossing on Wednesday evening.
Both men were shot at point blank range in the head in front of frightened onlookers at Ubon Ratchathani's busy bus terminal. They died at the scene.
The victims arrived in Thailand from Portland, United States with their families on Nov 17 and went straight to their hometown of Pakse in Champasak province, southern Laos, across the Mekong River from Ubon Ratchathani province.
They re-entered Thailand on Wednesday, and were headed to Ubon Ratchathani airport, where they planned to fly to Bangkok and on to the United States.
Several Lao-Americans and Laos citizens believed to be against the Laos communist government have been shot dead in Thai border provinces.
Laos has denied any involvement in the killing of several anti-government activists, including a Lao-American couple shot dead in January.
Police refused to speculate on whether Wednesday's victims were anti-government activists, and said they had not yet arrested anyone in connection with the double killing
