On 13 January 2017, Ambassador Pisanu Suvanajata met H.E. Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, State Counsellor of Myanmar, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Myanmar in Nay Pyi Taw to deliver Thailand’s assistance worth $200,000 for Myanmar’s humanitarian efforts in Rakhine State. The handover served to fulfill the pledge made by H.E. Mr. Don Pramudwinai, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Thailand, during the Briefing for ASEAN Foreign Ministers on the Situation in Rakhine State by the State Counsellor of Myanmar on 19 December 2016 in Yangon.

The recent humanitarian assistance is part of Thailand’s multi-pronged approach to support the Myanmar Government in addressing the situation in Rakhine State. Over the years, Thailand has always given priority to fostering development in Rakhine State to improve the livelihood of local people. Recently, the Royal Thai Embassy is also working with the Myanmar authorities concerned for the construction of a community rice mill in Rakhine State, which is expected to be completed by the end of this year.

Thailand considers the situation in Rakhine State as Myanmar’s internal affairs, and fully understands that the Myanmar Government needs time, space and understanding for its efforts to achieve peace, stability and reconciliation in the area.

During the meeting, Ambassador Pisanu and H.E. Daw Aung San Suu Kyi also discussed matters related bilateral cooperation including exchange of high-level visits, holding of the 9^th meeting of the Joint Commission for Bilateral Cooperation as well as preparation for the celebration of the 70^th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries  in 2018.

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