Roundup: Myanmar-Thai Tense Relations Got Eased to Some Extent

Border clashes were broke out in February this year between Myanmar and Thailand. Bangkok charged Yangon troops with assaulting Thai border town of Maesai in the latter's fire exchange with its domestic anti-government armed group of the Shan United Revolutionary Army (SURA), crossing the border into the Thai territory and occupying a border post.

While denying the charges, Myanmar accused Thailand of supporting the SURA morally and militarily. These clashes gave rise to sudden tense relations between Myanmar and Thailand.

However, through joint efforts of both sides, such tense relations of the two countries have got eased to some extent.

One of the important facts that marked the ease of the bilateral relations is that Thai Foreign Minister Surakiart Sathirathai will pay a two-day official visit to Yangon beginning Tuesday at the invitation of his Myanmar counterpart U Win Aung.

This will be the first time for the new Thai government to send a cabinet minister to visit Myanmar since taking office.

It is learnt that the Thai foreign minister will hold discussions with U Win Aung on bilateral issues covering drug trade, border problems, border trade and economic cooperation.

This visit is believed to surely enhance the two countries' mutual understanding, trust and friendship.

Another important fact that signified the easing of Myanmar-Thai tense relations is that the two countries were able to hold a three-day regional border committee (RBC) meeting in Myanmar's border town of Kengtung at the beginning of April. This was the first time that the RBC met in two years.

At the meeting, the two sides reached understanding over the need for them to cooperate in the sectors of drug control, border demarcation and border trade.

The two sides also agreed to have their RBC meet bi-annually instead of once two years.

The two sides further agreed to open their respective border trade points as soon as possible which were closed not long ago due to border clashes.

In addition, Myanmar agreed to repatriate part of its refugees out of over 100,000 taking refuge in Thailand.

Meanwhile, Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra recently said he will visit Yangon at convenient time.

The above moves will undoubtedly brought about remedy of the spoiled Myanmar-Thai bilateral ties.

Although the Myanmar-Thai tense relations have got eased to some extent, there still remains some issues to be tackled.

Thailand had reopened on March 12 its Maesai border trade point which was closed due to border clashes, but up to now, Myanmar side has not yet done the same with its Tachilek trade point.

Up to now, Thailand is still banning export to Myanmar of its strategic products including rice, medicine, fuel and construction materials. As a revenge, Myanmar banned import of Thai-made monosodium glutamate and soft drinks.

Both Myanmar and Thailand are members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). The two countries hold identical or similar views over many important international and regional issues.

The friendly getting along of Myanmar and Thailand is seen as not only beneficial to the regional peace and stability but also to the intra-solidarity of ASEAN.

Thailand has become Myanmar's third largest trade partner after Singapore and China. According to Myanmar official statistics, in

2000, their bilateral trade amounted to 534 million U.S. dollars, taking up 13 percent of Myanmar's total foreign trade.

In the sector of investment, since Myanmar opened to foreign investment in 1988, Thai investment in the country came to 1.252 billion dollars in 46 projects, ranking the third after Singapore and Britain in the line-up of Myanmar's foreign investors which came from 25 countries and regions.

The economic and trade link between Myanmar and Thailand is also bound to push the continuous improvement of the bilateral ties.






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