During 8 – 9 May 2016, H.E. Mr. Pisanu Suvanajata, Ambassador of Thailand to Myanmar, received H.E. Mr. Don Pramudwinai, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Thailand, who paid a goodwill visit to Myanmar as the Special Envoy of H.E. Gen. Prayut Chan-o-cha (ret.), Prime Minister of Thailand.

During the visit, the Special Envoy made a courtesy call on H.E. U Htin Kyaw, President of Myanmar in the morning of 9 May 2016 at Presidential Palace, and met with H.E. Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, State Counsellor, Union Minister for Foreign Affairs and Union Minister of the President’s Office of Myanmar, in the afternoon of the same day at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The visit was substantive and successful in fulfilling its purpose of bringing a message of friendship and goodwill from the Royal Thai Government and the people of Thailand to the new Government of Myanmar.

In the discussions with the two Myanmar leaders, the Thai side reiterated Thailand’s readiness to work in partnership with Myanmar for a wide range of issues of common interest. Particular focus was placed on the cooperation on Myanmar migrant workers in Thailand as the Thai side reaffirmed its policy to ensure the well-being and welfare of Myanmar migrant workers in Thailand.

Both sides also exchanged views on trilateral cooperation in the concept of Thailand and Myanmar plus one especially in the areas of development and connectivity in the broader Mekong region and in Myanmar. In the meantime, the Dawei Special Economic Zone (DSEZ) project which has been jointly developed by Thailand, Myanmar and Japan, was also highlighted as a project to be expedited for the region’s prosperity.  

On economic cooperation, both sides were confident for the expansion of bilateral economic activities following the completion of the 2nd Thailand – Myanmar Friendship Bridge on Moei/Thaungyin River that links both countries through Mae Sot of Tak Province and Myawaddy of Kayin State. The Thai side also requested the Government of Myanmar to take good care of the Thai business community in Myanmar in the spirit of friendship and good neighbourliness.

Over the past years, Thailand and Myanmar have enjoyed close and cordial relations with cooperation in various areas ranging from economic affairs and labours to development cooperation and peace process in Myanmar. The visit to Myanmar of the Special Envoy of the Prime Minister of Thailand has laid a new milestone for further strengthening of the partnership between Thailand and Myanmar for the benefits of the two peoples.

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