THAILAND has continuously engaged in dialogue with Myanmar, providing its neighbors with both financial and advisory assistance.
However, renewed clashes between Myanmar’s junta and ethnic rebel groups forced Thai authorities to stop the projects for now.
The director of the Neighbouring Countries Economic Development Cooperation Agency (NEDA) explained that assistance provided by Thailand to Myanmar must be delayed and reevaluated.
The renewed clashes prevented consultants from accessing project areas and monitoring their progress.
Thailand has assisted Myanmar through 7 projects, ranging from financial aid, infrastructure, and advisory capacity which totaled 2.4 billion baht.
Meanwhile, paroled former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra volunteered to mediate between the resistance and the military regime in Myanmar.
However, the ethnic armed organizations refused his offer. Thai authorities denied its involvement in Thaksin’s affairs, stating that the former prime minister was acting in his personal capacity, and was not an authorized representative of the government of Thailand.
The clashes have had a direct impact on Thailand, with thousands of refugees fleeing the Southeast Asian nation since fighting intensified last month.
