Thai, Myanmar relations strengthened

BANGKOK, September 26 (TNA) - Bilateral relations between Thailand and Myanmar have been strengthened, especially in the economic sphere. Thai Ambassador to Myanmar Pisanu Suvanajata told TNA of the positive development on Friday, confirming that relations between the two neighbouring countries are "very good” now, after Thai Prime Minister General Prayuth Chan-ocha has clearly announced that his administration will develop economic ties with neighbouring countries. Pisanu acknowledged the new Thai government's stance makes Myanmar believe that major projects concerning the two countries and in line with both governments' policies and strategies will be carried on, including the Dawei deep seaport project and the Dawei Industrial Estate development project in Myanmar. The top Thai envoy stressed that the Myanmar government has full confidence in Thailand’s interim government, especially in major projects concerning cooperation between the two neighbouring countries, including the joint development of special economic zones along the common border. Touching on security issues, namely anti-drug trafficking along the border, the top Thai envoy reported that more arrests have been made, resulting from agreed information exchange between the two neighbouring countries, while the Thai government has also sent back more Myanmar people who fled fighting in their country home. His remarks were made as the Thai prime minister plans to visit Myanmar, a neighbouring member country in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), in mid-October 2014, his first overseas trip, to introduce himself as Thailand’s new prime minister. (TNA)