PM asks Surapong to mend ties with Nay Pyi Taw
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Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra conceded yesterday she was concerned about the state of Thai-Myanmar ties in the face of President Thein Sein's decision to push back his state visit due to "unfavourable conditions".
“I am worried about the misunderstanding and have instructed Foreign Minister Surapong Towichukchaikul to issue an explanation to the Myanmar government,” she said.
Thein Sein was reportedly displeased with how Thailand handled last week’s visit by opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi. Within one week he twice postponed his trip. He was initially scheduled to attend the World Economic Forum on East Asia but cancelled at the last minute as it coincided with the first trip abroad in 24 years by Suu Kyi.
The trip was rescheduled as a state visit from today to tomorrow but was again postponed, pending negotiations for a time convenient to both countries.
Government House officials said the Myanmar government wanted to rearrange the state visit after voicing displeasure at Suu Kyi’s trips inside Thailand. She made two journeys – one to meet Burmese workers in Samut Sakhon and another to see refugees and displaced citizens at Mae La camp in Tak province.
Officials said the government was not involved in either of the trips, nor her participation at the WEF. Suu Kyi attended the economic forum at the invitation of organisers, not the Thai government. She then contacted non-government groups and others to organise meetings with migrant workers and displaced citizens.
The Myanmar government made it known that a most contentious issue was the meeting between Suu Kyi and Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yoobamrung.
“By meeting Chalerm, Suu Kyi has managed to outshine the Myanmar government in regard to handling the labour and refugee affairs,” an official said on the condition of anonymity.
Unlike Yingluck who met Suu Kyi in the context of the WEF, Chalerm welcomed the democracy icon at Government House.
On returning to Myanmar, Suu Kyi said her visit to Thailand was “very satisfactory”.
The democracy champion had previously refused to leave the country, even to visit her dying husband, because of fears the former junta would never allow her to return.
Her six-day visit to Thailand was the first time she had ventured abroad since she was thrust into the spotlight during protests against the generals in 1988.
The Nobel laureate charmed global business leaders in Bangkok and drew large crowds on visits to Myanmar communities in Thailand during a packed schedule in the Kingdom.
