Posted on 05/17/2014 3:41:13 PM PDT by BenLurkin
They included Defense Minister Douangchay Phichit and his wife. Douangchay was also one of the country's deputy prime ministers and a high-ranking member of its Politburo, the main decision-making body for the country's all-powerful Communist Party, which has ruled the single-party state since 1975. The economically poor, landlocked country has a population of seven million.
Others killed included Minister of Public Security Thongbane Sengaphone, Vientiane Governor Sukhan Mahalad and at least one other senior ruling party official.
Information about the crash, and those on board, came from Foreign Ministry spokesman Sek Wannamethee in neighboring Thailand. Lao National Television showed images of the wreckage with smoke rising from its badly charred remains. The footage showed rescuers pulling away pieces of aircraft debris and trying to dig into the remaining fuselage with shovels, as medical crews stood by watching.
The cause of the crash was not immediately known, but the accident occurred as the plane was approaching Xiangkhoung's airport. The official Lao news agency KPL confirmed the crash and said the authorities were trying to rescue survivors: "The cause of the accident is under the investigation."
(Excerpt) Read more at dw.de ...
Power struggle?
Malaysian airliner coverup?
Hey, it’s as good a tinfoil theory as any.
Ping.
I’ve been on flights to this airstrip. This is central Laos where a lot of ordinance was dropped to prevent re-supply of the NVA.
This area is very scenic and is on a high plateau. The temps are very mild there. There is not much wind on the airstrip. There aren’t any mountains to hit or any other dangerous conditions for landing.
The planes I flew on for these trips may have somewhat questionable maintenance. It wouldn’t surprise me if this crash was due to poor maintenance of the aircraft.
There is also a military presence there which is un-advertised, a multitude of MIGs.
I take it the “Minister of Public Security” is Newspeak for Head of the Secret Police.
Yeah, and those on the plane all lost.
This cabinet minister, does he always travel on the wrong side of the border?
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.