Thailand and Myanmar are preparing to to discuss border security, transnational crime, trade recovery and peace efforts during Myanmar President Min Aung Hlaing’s official visit to Thailand on Thursday and Friday.
Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow said on Wednesday that discussions would focus on preventing armed clashes along the Thai-Myanmar border, strengthening cooperation against online scam syndicates and drug trafficking, and reviving cross-border trade.
The countries are also expected to sign terms of reference establishing a joint committee to address pollution in shared rivers, particularly the Kok River which is seriously contaminated by mining upstream in areas over which the Myanmar government has little control.
Thailand will also encourage Myanmar to continue its peace process and dialogue with ethnic armed groups, with Mr Sihasak saying Thailand was prepared to facilitate negotiations where appropriate.
The Thai government has been at the forefront of efforts to re-integrate Myanmar with Asean in hopes of being able to persuade Nay Pyi Taw to seek and end to a destructive civil war that has entered its sixth year.
Mr Sihasak welcomed Myanmar’s decision to allow Red Cross representatives to visit detained former leader Aung San Suu Kyi last week, saying the move reassured the international community that she was receiving proper care and raised hopes for her eventual release.
The 81-year-old Nobel Peace Prize winner has been detained since her government was overthrown in a coup led by Min Aung Hlaing on Feb 1, 2021. She was later sentenced to a total of 33 years for a range of offences, subsequently reduced in stages to 18 years.
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