Burma’s relation with Thailand looks healthier

July 27, 2012 | 3:58 pm

Burma president Thein Sein met Thai Prime Minister Ms. Yingluck Shinawatra at Thai Koo Fah of State Guesthouse in Bangkok, Thailand on Monday (23 July), The New Light of Myanmar said Thursday. The Thai PM expressed her thanks for President Thein Sein’s visit to Thailand at the invitation of the Thai government. She also said that the 65th anniversary of the establishment of the diplomatic ties between the two countries would be celebrated in Thailand on a grand scale next year.

The President thanked the Thai PM and government for the invitation to visit Thailand, warm welcome and kind hospitality, expressing his belief that the visit would further cement the existing bond and promote mutually beneficial cooperation.

Thailand was the second largest investor in Burma in terms of trade, investment and economic cooperation, the President said. Thailand had invested over 9 billion USD in Burma as of 30th April, 2012. As a result, Thailand’s investment is approximately 23.32 per cent of total foreign investment in Burma. The bilateral trade volume reached 4515.0 million USD in 2011-2012 fiscal year, 24.9 per cent up in comparison with last year, as a sign of increase in trade relations. Thein Sein revealed.

Myanmar President Mr. Thein Sein and Thai Prime Minister Ms. Yingluck Shinawatra held a press conference at Thai Koo Fah of State Guesthouse in Bangkok, Thailand on 23 July, 2012. Pic: Myanmar President Website

The President also stated that signing of MoU to set up ‘Dawei Special Economic Zone’ between the two countries would lead to closer bilateral economic cooperation. Besides, improved economic production and increased employment opportunities for the countries and peoples in Greater Mekong Sub-region.

Thus, the President urged pushing ahead for urgent implementation of Dawei Special Economic Zone’. It is necessary to create jobs for people living along the border regions to assure their socio-economic life. Due to rising stability along the Thai-Burma border, Thein Sein said that his government would open more border trade camps, more border industrial zones and establish commercial-scale cultivated areas and industrialized businesses along the border, revealed the President. He also proposed for formally opening of border trade camps in Htiki and other available places along the Thai-Burma border.

According to President Thein Sein, Burma has awareness of founding border industrial zone in Htiki and Myawady- Thingan Nyinaung, recommending additional supervision for buying of electricity from Thailand, along with Thai entrepreneurs’ investment in those projects.

The President called for Thai investments in rubber, oil palm and other commercial plantations. Such investments may materialize development of job creation in the border regions sharing with Thailand, he said.

There were around two million Burmese workers working in Thailand and MoU on cooperation in labour affairs was signed in 2003. The President expressed his thanks toward the Thai government for extension of the expiring work-permits of Burmese workers till December this year.

On the other hand, there are still a large number of illegal Burmese workers in Thailand who were in danger of sending back to Burma after December.

The President put forward his point of view cooperate between the two neighbors along the lines of international measures for legalizing Burmese workers. The President expected to issue visas at one stop service at six temporary passport issuance offices and three offices at Burma border.

The President also negotiated with the Thai government to guarantee same rights of Burmese migrant-workers with Thai workers whose basic payment was increased in April, 2012.

The Thai Prime Minister suggested coordination between ministries concerned of the two countries for issuance of visas for Myanmar migrant workers without restrictions, allowing Myanmar migrant workers enter by air, and the issues of cross-border workers from the other side.

The Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra guaranteed the same salary for Burmese migrant workers equal to Thai workers. She expressed her thanks to the President of Burma and ministers for their goodwill visit to Thailand.

President Thein Sein showed appreciation for Thai government’s pledge to offer equal salary to Burmese migrant workers and procedure for occupational training courses. Thein Sein also expressed his pledge to put into service the facts in MoU and joint statement made during his Thailand tour.

Apart from the migrant-workers’ issue, the President pronounced the hosting of XXVII SEA Games in 2013 as the new challenge to the country, asking for Thailand’s experience and cooperation in news coverage and broadcast and material supplies.

In addition, at some point in the meeting, President Thein Sein suggested gradually implementation of Dawei special economic zone projects under sector-wise coordination. He confirmed to the reconstitute the existing ‘Myanmar-Thai Friendship Association’ for healthier role. He expressed his gratitude to Thai side for its readiness for economic partnership with Burma.