No officials, weapons or illegal cash on Myanmar plane landing in Mae Sot: Parnpree

Speaking to reporters ahead of the weekly Cabinet meeting on Tuesday, Parnpree said he had no idea of the documents as they are “diplomatically sensitive”. However, he said, the diplomatic pouch had already undergone a check at immigration.

According to Thai media, an ATR 72-600 commercial plane, reportedly sent by the Myanmar junta, landed in Tak’s Mae Sot district at about 9pm on Sunday.

The media reported the aircraft had been sent to pick up more than 600 Myanmar government officials and their families who had fled the border town of Myawaddy after it was besieged by the Karen National Union (KNU) and the People’s Defence Force (PDF).

However, the plane reportedly waited for just an hour before flying back, as nobody had shown up.

Parnpree said he had been informed that the aircraft aimed to pick up Myanmar citizens in need of humanitarian assistance.

“However, nobody showed up when the plane arrived, so I assumed that negotiation [between the Myanmar regime and rebel groups] was underway,” he added.

The minister also dismissed rumours that bags of money had been smuggled into the country from Myanmar, saying no illegal cash was shifted.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin pledged to set up a working committee, led by the Foreign Minister with a representative of the National Security Council, to oversee individuals affected by the row and to push for political stability in Myanmar.

“Thailand is ready to coordinate and promote cooperation among all sectors to achieve peace and stability in Myanmar as soon as possible,” he said on X (formerly Twitter).

The premier said the committee would also work on preventing any impacts on cross-border trade between the two nations.

According to Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai, the conflict has made the transport of goods between the two countries difficult, adding that people should be able to travel across the border easily if the situation is peaceful.